Search and Recovery Diver
Retrieve lost items that have fallen overboard or off a dock. Learn effective swimming patterns and using a lift bag for heavy objects. It happens: People accidentally drop things from docks, off boats or even while scuba diving. If you’ve ever lost something in the water and wanted to go find it, then the Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course is for you. There are effective ways to search for objects underwater that increase your chances of success. There are good and better methods to bring up small, large or just awkward items. Search and recovery can be challenging, but a whole lot of fun.
Required Dives
Dive One
• Search for small object in 250 square feet area using circular/rope search pattern
• Search for larger object in 1000 square feet area using “U” pattern
• Recover object using lift bag
Dive Two
• Search for object in 1000 square feet area using expanding square pattern
• Recover object weighing 25lbs to 50lb using lift bag
• Return recovered object to shore or boat
• Continue dive for fun and experience
Dive Three
• Search for object in 1000 square feet area using the jackstay pattern
• Recover object weighing 50lb to 100lbs using lift bag
• Return recovered object to shore or boat
• Continue dive for fun and experience
Dive Four
• Interview Instructor about “lost” object.
• Organize, plan and conduct search and recovery dive with buddy
• Return recovered object to shore or boat
• Continue dive for fun and experience
Gaining the Knowledge
This will be a comprehensive and very informative training program that introduces you to the Search and Recovery skills. At your own pace, you'll work your way through the different sections including; gathering information and resources, planning a search, locating large and small objects using various search patterns, using a lift bag for large or heavy objects plus other recovery methods. 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: Besides your basic SCUBA equipment, you’ll need a compass and an underwater slate with pencil. You might also use a dive light, marker buoys, 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.