Drift Diver
Drift diving can be relaxing and exhilarating at the same time. Go with the flow as you scuba dive down rivers and use ocean currents to glide along. It feels like flying – except that you’re underwater using scuba equipment. If you’re a PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver who is at least 12 years old, you can enroll in the Drift Diver specialty course.
Required Dives
Dive One
• Enter water using appropriate technique
• Maintain buddy awareness
• Descend in a manner to avoid unintended or destructive contact with bottom
• Follow directions of instructor or dive leader
• Execute proper ascent procedure
• Perform a safety stop for 3 minutes at 15 feet
Dive Two
• Enter water using appropriate technique
• Maintain buddy awareness
• Descend in a manner to avoid unintended or destructive contact with bottom
• Estimate relative strength and direction of current
• Follow directions of instructor or dive leader
• Execute proper ascent procedure
• Perform a safety stop for 3 minutes at 15 feet
Gaining the Knowledge
This will be a comprehensive and very informative training program that introduces you to drift diving. At your own pace, you'll work your way through the different sections including; drift diving techniques and procedures, special equipment (floats, lines and reels), aquatic currents (causes and effects), buoyancy control, navigation, communication and staying close to a buddy or group as you float with the current. This portion takes between 12-15 hours and must be completed prior to your dives.
The first dive of this PADI Specialty Diver course may credit as an Adventure Dive toward your Advanced Open Water Diver certification – ask your SCUBA Heroes instructor about earning credit
Equipment: Along with your basic SCUBA equipment, you’ll learn to use various surface marker buoys and floats with lines and reels. Your SCUBA Heroes Instructor may suggest other appropriate gear.
Why PADI: PADI Divers carry the most respected and sought after scuba diving credentials in the world. No matter where you choose to dive, your PADI certification card will be recognized and accepted. In fact, on most scuba diving adventures, you’ll be surrounded by other PADI Divers who made the same certification choice you did – to train with the world’s largest and most respected scuba diving training organization.
Read: "The PADI Difference" for an in depth look as to why SCUBA Heroes has teamed up with PADI
12 Specialty Courses
SCUBA diving is a way to explore the underwater world in new and different ways. Specialty Diver courses teach you new techniques and give you the tools to enhance your exploration. These courses are in-depth, comprehensive and very informative training programs. The Specialty Diver Courses go beyond what each Adventure dive teaches you in Advanced Open Water.