Part# 2113

Ice diving can be a serene and beautiful aspect of scuba diving. As a winter activity, ice diving offers the opportunity to enjoy sport diving year round. Diving under ice presents hazards not common to the open water diver, and special training is required. The purpose of this course is to acquaint the diver with the hazards associated with ice diving, as well as how to plan and execute an ice dive.

Please Note: There are no required materials to be completed before the course

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed. 

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking to expand their diving season to all year round and experience the serenity of ice diving

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
• Minimum age 18

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Ice Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Effects of the cold
  • Physiological aspects of cold water diving
  • Emergency aspects of cold water diving
  • Special first aid for cold exposure
• Equipment for ice diving
  • Harness
  • Lines
  • Dry suit
  • Hole-cutting equipment
• Surface support procedures
  • Duties and responsibilities
  • Hole-cutting techniques
  • Lines and securing
  • Line tending
  • Communications
  • Signals
  • Ice spokes
  • Lost diver procedures
  • Safety diver
  • Equipment of the safety diver
  • Search and Recovery trained
  • Broken line procedures
• Navigation
• Diving Lights and Their Care

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Review of scuba skills on land
• Test lights and equipment
• Set up shelter
• Cut hole in ice and secure
• Dive plan
• Descent and line considerations on land
• Line handling and short line signals on land
• Ten minute familiarization
• Enter water
• Each diver must rotate and practice: surface support, safety diver and diver
• Line handling and simulated lost diver procedures
• Fifteen minute exploring under the ice
• Exit
• Log dive

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

Also, the SDI Ice Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI Ice Diver minimum requirements:

• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2112

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

Divers often have a need, or want, to effectively communicate underwater. The SDI Full Face Mask Course is the perfect starting point. Full face mask diving allows the diver to relax and enjoy diving while not worrying about maintaining the second stage regulator. In addition, the full face mask will help insulate the diver from a coldwater environment.

Please Note: There are no required materials to be completed before the course.
 

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for more information about the different full face masks available and how to determine the correct one to meet their needs

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Full Face Mask Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Purpose
  • Diver safety
  • Communications
• Advantages
  • Increased diver safety
  • Communications
  • Corrective lenses
• Disadvantages
  • Increased air consumption
  • Buoyancy
  • Bulky
• Types
  • Appropriate/inappropriate
  • Scuba quick connect/disconnect
  • Surface supplied
• Techniques/procedures
  • Donning
  • Diving with a full face mask
• Underwater Communications
  • Types of communication equipment
• User/field maintenance and care
• Authorized servicing/preventive maintenance
• After use

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Dive plan
• Equipment set up
• Proper donning and adjustment
• On the surface, switching from open to close
• Proper weighting
• Establish buoyancy and demonstration of buoyancy control
• Equalization techniques
• Clearing a partially flooded mask
• Remove and replace full face mask underwater
• free flowing full face mask
• Successfully switch to a back up mask
• Remove mask and utilization of alternate air source
• Alternate air source ascent
• Ascent and exit
• Log dive

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Full Face Mask Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

Part# 2120

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

Most divers have a desire to bring home the sights and sounds of being underwater. Underwater video makes it possible to save our underwater experiences and share them with others. Shooting underwater video is fun, exciting, and easy to learn. The SDI Underwater Video Diver Course is designed to introduce divers to the equipment, techniques, and procedures needed to plan and shoot underwater video with maximum safety.

Please Note: There are no required materials to be completed before the start of your course
 

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for more information to maximum the use of underwater video for scuba diving and to bring back memories to share with others about their experiences

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Underwater Video Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Video Equipment
  • Video systems
  • Types of video formats
  • Video cameras
  • Video controls
  • Accessories
• Underwater Video Housings
  • Types of housings
  • Housing controls
  • Features and benefits
  • Selecting housing
• Recording Underwater
  • Dive planning
  • Setting the video and dive objective
  • Creating a storyboard
  • Safety concerns
• Pre-dive Equipment Assembly
  • Setting the camera controls
  • Assembling the system
  • Checking for leaks
• Video Camera Handling Techniques
  • Using the viewfinder
  • Point and shoot
  • Using a tripod
• Basic Techniques
  • Shot selection
  • Shot times
  • Putting shots in sequence
  • Approaching marine life
  • Cutting video shots
  • Surface water shots
  • Above water shots
• Underwater Video Lighting
  • Natural light
  • Artificial light
  • Light systems and power supplies
  • Lights and filters
• Shooting Video at Night
  • Safety concerns
  • Entries and exits
  • Operating the camcorder and housing controls
  • Approaching marine life at night
• Editing
  • Fundamentals of editing
  • Required equipment
  • Editing equipment configurations
  • Editing techniques
  • In-camera editing
• Care and Maintenance
  • After each dive
  • Regular maintenance
  • Periodic maintenance
  • Storing underwater video systems
  • Caring for a flooded video camera/housing
• Traveling with Underwater Equipment
  • Deciding what equipment to bring
  • Packing the equipment
  • Bringing underwater video equipment on boats
  • Flying with underwater video equipment
  • Renting equipment

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Plan dive
• Set the video objective
• Plan the sequence of shots
• Review of procedures
• Entry
• Diving procedures
• Exit
• Log dive dives
• Care of equipment
• Edit footage to follow story

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Underwater Video Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI Underwater Video Diver minimum requirements:

• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2115

Please Note:  All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

Many divers find that night diving is their favorite type of diving. As with all specialty diving applications, procedures are different than those associated with open water diving. The purpose of this course is to acquaint the open water diver with the procedures, techniques, and potential hazards associated with diving at night, or in limited visibility. Becoming familiar with the use of dive lights, and night diving techniques such as navigation, buddy system procedures, communications, buoyancy control, and interacting with nocturnal aquatic life, the diver can safely enjoy night diving.

***This course includes eLearning to be completed before your course begins. If you DO NOT receive an eLearning confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact us!  To help us ensure quality training and the best experience for you and your fellow students, give yourself enough time to complete the online materials!**

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

• Individuals that wish to explore the underwater world at night, along with the nocturnal wildlife

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18 , 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Night/Limited Visibility Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Why dive at night?
  • Different aquatic life
  • Experience in limited visibility
• Special equipment
  • Diving lights
  • Importance of light and back up
  • Comparison of different styles
  • Personal dive beacon
• Buddy system
  • Buddy contact
  • Communications
• Navigation
  • Bottom contour
  • Compass
  • Boat
  • Beach/Lake
  • Marker light/strobe
• Disorientation
  • With buddy
  • Lost buddy
  • Light failure
• Buoyancy considerations
• Emergency procedures
  • Disabled diver
  • Lost diver
  • Diving maladies
• Underwater environment
  • Nocturnal life

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course graduates may:

• Dive at night and in limited visibility conditions they were exposed to during training
• Plan and execute a night and low visibility dives

Also, the SDI Night/Limited Visibility Diver Certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program

SDI Night/Limited Visibility Diver minimum requirements:

• Plan dive
• Safety procedures
• Enter and descent
• Remain submerged at least 20 minutes
• Change direction several times while maintaining proper navigation
• Two minute swim without compass
• Surface and reorient
• Descend and navigate
• Use properly; underwater light, submersible pressure gauge, compass, depth gauge, and computer
• Maintain buddy contact throughout dive
• Log dive

Part# 2110

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

The SDI Dry Suit Diver Course will open up a whole new world of diving to you. Many of the diving environments around the world are better experienced in a dry suit. Why? These areas have an abundance of marine life waiting to be seen and photographed – they just happen to be a little colder! Dry suits are also used in tropical water during the cooler months.This course allows the student to develop the knowledge and skills to properly use a dry suit. It will discuss the types of dry suits, accessories, maintenance and how to make basic repairs.

***This course includes eLearning to be compelted before your course begins. If you DO NOT receive an eLearning conrimation email within 24 hours, please contact us!  To help us ensure quality training and the best experience for you and your fellow students, give yourself enough time to complere the online materials!***

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

The certified diver looking for advanced training in dry suit equipment, selection and diving techniques. This diver can extend their diving season, spend more time diving in cooler environments and/or enjoy enhancing their dive experience by staying warm and cozy in a dry suit.

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 12 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Dry Suit Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Types of dry suits
  • Shell style
  • Crushed neoprene
  • Neoprene
• Types of seals
  • Latex
  • Neoprene
• Features
  • Self don
  • Rear entry
  • Boots
  • Zipper guard: protect waterproof zipper from chaffing
  • Warm neck collar
  • Suspenders
• Dive wear insulation (often times called undergarments)
  • Cut to be close to the skin
  • Compression resistant
  • Components
• Dry suit valves
  • Inflator and deflator considerations
• Buoyancy control
• Maintenance and care
  • Cleaning
  • Zipper care
  • Minor repairs
• Dry suit emergencies

The required skills you will have to demonstrate include all of the following and more:

• Planning a dive
• Proper donning of a dry suit
• Review functions of the dry suit
• Buoyancy check and proper weighting
• Practice dry suit skills
• Inflate and deflate dry suit
• Roll out from an inverted position
• Buoyancy skills such as hovering in a fixed position
• Emergency procedures for dry suit malfunction
• Safety stop
• Ascend and exit
• Log dive

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in dry suit diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

The SDI Dry Suit Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to complete the SDI Advanced Diver Development program or SDI Master Scuba Diver Development program.

SDI Dry Suit Diver minimum requirements:

• Satisfactorily complete the SDI Dry Suit Diver Knowledge Quests with a passing score of 80%, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor
• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2121

Wreck diving can be one of the most exciting aspects of sport diving, however every effort must be made to maximize safe diving techniques. The SDI Wreck Diver Course will discuss the equipment and techniques commonly employed while wreck diving. This course may be taught as a non-penetration, 2 dives required, or as a limited-penetration course, requiring 3 dives. Limited-penetration is defined as a swim through or within the ambient light of entry point.
 

***This course includes eLearning to be completed before your course begins. If you DO NOT receive an eLearning confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact us!  To help us ensure quality training and the best experience for you and your fellow students, give yourself enough time to complete the online materials!***

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

Individuals who wish to know more about the wreck diving including:

• Researching wrecks
• Mapping wrecks
• Proper use of lines while wreck diving
• Exploring underwater history

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 15 for limited penetration course with parental consent
• Minimum age 10 with parental consent for a non-penetration course
• Junior Open Water Divers may not participate in any penetration activities or dives deeper than 18 metres/60 feet
• Divers must have a deep diver specialty certification or be able to provide proof of experience in order to dive deeper than 18 metres/60 feet in this course

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Wreck Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Why wreck dive?
• Surface supports
  • Communications, when and if necessary
  • Back-up procedures
• Buddy system
• Buddy contact
  • Contact with varied visibility
  • Buddy lines
  • Line signals
  • Buddy positioning in close proximity
• Navigation/charting
  • Usage of the slate
  • Larger than normal
  • Pre-dive marking
  • Pre-planning the dive using charts, other information
  • Directional determination
• Disorientation
  • With/without buddy
  • Lost buddy
  • Light failure
  • Emergency procedures
• Special equipment
  • Lights: primary and backup, size, burn time, and usage
  • Knifes and cutting devices
• Limited visibility diving
  • Silt-out
  • Psychological considerations
  • Light usage
  • Importance of light and backup
  • Dark vision, don’t shine light in buddy’s eyes
• Life lines and reels
  • Type of line
  • Tie-offs
  • Directional markers
  • Line handling and reeling must be practiced on land prior to performing this skill underwater
• Special emergency procedures
  • Safe Wreck
  • Hazardous or otherwise unsafe wrecks
• Mapping the wreck
  • Vertical, horizontal, and feature identification

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course graduates may:

• Dive wrecks that are similar to the type of wrecks they were exposed to during training
• Plan and execute a wreck dive

Also, the SDI Wreck Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development program.

SDI Wreck Diver minimum requirements:

• Open Water Dive 1
  • Pre-dive review of dive computers
  • Plan dive
  • Test lights
  • Familiarization with areas
  • Basic charting outside wreck
  • Usage of lines outside wreck, optional
  • Surface and log dive
• Open Water Dive 2
  • Plan dive
  • Figure surface interval
  • Descend
  • Team complete mapping
  • Usage of lines outside wreck, optional
  • Surface and log dive
• Open Water Dive 3
  • Plan dive
  • Descend
  • Usage of lines inside wreck, optional
  • Surface and log dive
• Open Water Dive 4 (Optional)
  • Plan dive
  • Planned dive explained
  • Dive/explore as determined
  • Surface and log dive

Part# 2108

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

SDI’s Deep Diver Course is a must for any diver wishing to explore a little more, go a little deeper, and learn the risks and benefits associated with deep diving. Many interesting sights lay just beyond open water diver training limits such as: beautiful wall dives, shipwrecks, and critters that don’t come into the shallows.The purpose of this course is to provide the necessary training to plan and execute dives that are beyond the depth range experienced during an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course, specifically beyond 18 metres/60 feet and to a maximum depth of not greater than 40 metres/130 feet. By the end of the course your knowledge, awareness, and comfort level with deep diving activities will have increased.

***This course includes eLearning to be completed before your course begins. If you DO NOT receive an eLearning confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact us!  To help us ensure quality training and the best experience for you and your fellow students, give yourself enough time to complete the online materials!***

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

• Any certified open water scuba diver who wishes to expand their diver knowledge and skill set
• Any certified open water scuba diver who would like to advance their dive training

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

How to plan and execute dives that are outside the range of depths that are experienced during an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course, and more!

Topics from the SDI Deep Diver course include:

• History of dive tables and computers
• Equipment needed for deep diving
• Physics and physiology of deep diving
• Emergency procedures for deep diving and first aid

Some of the in-water skills you will complete include:

• Open Water Dive 1
  • Test and check all equipment, i.e. depth gauges, bottom timers/watches and computers
  • Familiarization with area
  • Descend to planned depth and do not exceed any pre-planned limits
  • Dive according to plan at a depth limited to 30 metres/100 feet for first dive
  • Ascend to safety stop
• Open Water Dive 2
  • Monitor depth/time/air consumption, figure all times on slate
  • Descend to planned depth and do not exceed any pre-planned limits
  • Execute a simulated emergency that is to be assigned underwater by the instructor
  • Dive according to plan at a depth limited to 40 metres/130 feet
  • Ascend to safety stop

What’s in it for you?

You will receive the necessary training that will allow you to venture beyond 18 metres/60 feet and to a maximum depth of 40 metres/130 feet.

The SDI Deep Diver minimum requirements:

Students are required to successfully complete the following:

• Satisfactorily complete the SDI Deep Diver Knowledge Quests with a passing score of 80%, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor
• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2119

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

The SDI Underwater Photographer Diver Course is designed to introduce divers to the equipment, techniques and procedures necessary to take underwater photographs, and allow the student to experience and discuss many areas of interest to the underwater photographer.

Please Note: There are no required materials to be completed before the start of your course.
 

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for more information regarding the use of underwater photography for scuba diving, and wanting bring back many memories of their underwater adventures to share with family and friends

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Underwater Photo Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Underwater light
  • Variation of light under water
  • Time for best available light photography
  • Color correction filtering for depth
  • Strobes vs. video light
  • Selective color absorption of light
  • Available light and strobe considerations
  • Possible backscatter issues
• Film considerations
  • Color balance
  • Grain
  • Resolving power
  • Latitude
  • Contrast
  • Color reversal
• Digital
  • Capture media
  • Memory technology
  • Printing
  • Post dive review ability SDI Instructor Manual
  • TV vs. computer vs. camera
• Camera use in association with scuba
  • Types of cameras
  • Handling of equipment
  • Camera settings
• Photographic subjects
  • Composition of scene
  • Use of light enhancement
  • Subject ease
  • Use of models
  • Marine Conservation awareness
• Care of equipment
  • Salt water care
  • Fresh water care
  • Care of the flooded-housed camera
• Use of color positive films
  • Ease of development (E—6 processing)
  • Mounting
• Digital software
  • Downloading images
  • Photo storage
  • Photo manipulation
  • Printing & mounting

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Familiarize with the equipment and proper handling of equipment
• Composition to be considered at a beginning point of view
• Plan Dive
• Suitable Entry (care to be taken with camera & additional equipment; these may be passed to diver once in the water in conditions & environment allows it)
• Situational awareness (depth, time, air consumption and buddy awareness)
• Photography of subjects as planned
• Conservational awareness
• Conduct safe ascent and safety stops
• Exit
• Dive a different site to experience different
  • Marine subjects
  • Additional light considerations
  • Wide coloring
• Maintain safety while within the water environment and attaining good quality subjects
• Both photograph both still and moving life subjects if possible
• Discuss with instructor helpful hints on how to improve photos

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in Underwater Photo diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Underwater Photo Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI Underwater Photo Diver minimum requirements:

• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2118

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

Divers are intensely fascinated by navigation… It allows them to make their way back to a special spot discovered on an earlier dive. They use the tricks and techniques of navigation to find an ideal exit point at the end of a dive without the need for an uncomfortable surface swim.Your SDI Underwater Navigation Specialty course will help you overcome the obstacles inherent to finding your way underwater. You will learn how easy and simple navigation can be and how it will help you both above and below the surface. During this course, you will review natural aids such as sand ripples or reef formations, which can accurately predict your route. Tools such as mechanical or digital compasses are a surprising challenge to the novice but we will help you unravel the challenge and teach the practical skills and techniques you’ll need to use them effectively.

This course is designed to give students a greater understanding and experience on how to properly navigate underwater using both natural and compass navigation.

***This course includes eLearning to be completed before your course begins. If you DO NOT receive an eLearning confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact us!  To help us ensure quality training and the best experience for you and your fellow students, give yourself enough time to complete the online materials!***

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for a higher sense of direction and orientation while scuba diving

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Underwater Navigation Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• The aquatic environment
  • Vision
  • Light
  • Sound
  • Tides
  • Currents
  • Waves
  • Surge
• Natural navigation
  • Bottom contours
  • Depth
  • Amount of light
  • Surge
  • Currents
  • Underwater objects
• Compass
  • Types
  • Analog
  • Digital
  • Features
• Compass use
• Estimating distance underwater
• Kick cycles
• Time

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Equipment set up
• Dive planning
• Predive checks
• Orientation
• Navigation
• Skills are generally done with more success if practiced on the surface from shore. Using the shore or descent line as a starting/reference point makes keeping track of students easier
• Practice compass use on the surface: out and back, in addition to square and triangle patterns
• Perform square pattern on the bottom
• Perform triangle pattern on the bottom
• Buddy contact
• Equipment disassembly
• Log all dives

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in underwater navigation diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.
Also, the SDI Underwater Navigation Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development program.

SDI Underwater Navigation Diver minimum requirements:

• Satisfactorily complete the SDI Underwater Navigation Diver Knowledge Quests with a passing score of 80%, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor
• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2117

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

At one point or another, many divers have found themselves alone during a dive, whether it was intentional or not. SDI’s Solo Diving is the practice of self reliant scuba diving without a “dive buddy.”Solo diving, once considered technical diving and discouraged by most certification agencies, is now seen by many experienced divers and some certification agencies as an acceptable practice for those divers suitably trained and experienced. Rather than relying on the traditional buddy diving safety system, solo divers should be skilled in self-sufficiency and willing to take responsibility for their own safety while diving.

Being one of SDI’s most popular courses, the Solo Diver course stresses proper dive planning, personal limitations, and accident prevention, as well as the benefits, hazards, and proper procedures for diving solo. You will also learn the additional equipment that is required for solo diving including its proper usage and assembly. This is the perfect course for underwater photography and underwater video divers as well as those diving with their children or buddies that may not be very experienced in scuba diving.

***This course includes eLearning to be completed before your course begins. If you DO NOT receive an eLearning confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact us!  To help us ensure quality training and the best experience for you and your fellow students, give yourself enough time to complete the online materials!***

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

The certified SDI Advanced Diver (or equivalent) who is interested in learning how to dive independent of a dive buddy, or looking to strengthen your buddy team diving skills.

Course prerequisites:

• Minimum age 21
• Certified SDI Advanced Diver or equivalent
• Provide proof of 100 logged dives

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Solo Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Why solo dive?
• History of buddy diving
• Pros and cons of buddy diving and solo diving
• Legal liability assumed by buddy diving
• How to use the SDI Solo Diving waiver and release
• Who must solo dive?
• The solo diving mentality
• When not to solo dive
• Equipment for solo diving
• Planning and conducting a solo dive
• Navigation
• Management of solo diving emergencies
• Review the SDI Solo Diver Liability Release and Express Assumption of Risk Agreement Form

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include all of the following and more:

• 200 metres/600 feet surface swim in full scuba equipment, configured for local diving conditions; must be non-stop and performed in an open water environment
• Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning
• Plan dive limits based on personal air consumption rate
• Plan exact dive
• Properly execute the planned dive within all predetermined limits
• Equipment configuration appropriate for solo diving
• Proper descent/ascent rates
• Proper safety stop procedures
• Monitoring of decompression status equipment; tables, computers, equipment, etc.
• Navigation skills – demonstrate proficiency of navigation with compass
• Demonstrate emergency change over to redundant air supply (not to exceed 30 metres/100 feet)
• Deploy surface marker buoy (SMB)
• Use of audible signaling device

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in solo diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor as long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

The SDI Solo Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to complete the SDI Advanced Diver Development program or SDI Master Scuba Diver Development program.

SDI Solo Diver minimum requirements:

• Satisfactorily complete the SDI Solo Diver Knowledge Quests with a passing score of 80%, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor.
• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2116

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

This specialty is designed to acquaint the diver with special skills and techniques necessary to successfully plan, execute and evaluate a search and recovery dive.

Please Note: There are no required materials to be completed before the start of course

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for more information to maximize the use of search and recovery for scuba diving

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Search and Recovery Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Navigation
  • Compass use
  • Estimating distances
• Natural navigation
• Limited visibility diving
  • Factors affecting visibility
  • Hazards of limited visibility
  • Techniques of diving
• Search techniques
  • Shotgun
  • Circular search
  • Grid search SDI Instructor Manual
  • Current (overlap) search
  • Signals for search diving
• Salvage techniques
  • Depth considerations
  • Lift bags
  • Lifting drums
  • Necessary qualities of lifting devices
  • Knots and rigging
  • Fill techniques
  • Mud/silt suction considerations

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Review compass techniques
• Review search techniques
• Practice and perform different search patterns
• Review lifting techniques
• Recover an object from depth
• Salvage and recovery of an object with a water weight of between 11 and 33 kg/25 and 75 lbs
• Simulate scuba emergency using a minimum of 2 searching techniques
• Log dives

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

Also, the SDI Search and Recovery Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI Search and Recovery Diver minimum requirements:

• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2114

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

Divers have a vested interest in protecting the marine environment. In many cases, divers do not have environmental information about local sites. This specialty is designed to increase the open water diver’s understanding of marine and freshwater environments, the problems facing these unique ecosystems, and the role that diver’s play in protecting our marine resources.

Please Note: There are no required materials to be completed before the course 

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for more information to about the underwater world and the impact of divers as well as others have on the environment. How we can preserve the underwater world for generations to come

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Marine Eco Systems Awareness Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Physical attributes
  • Temperature and thermoclines
  • Salinity and halocline
  • Dissolved gases
  • Light, as it applies to photosynthesis
  • Nutrient circulation
  • Waves and tides
  • Currents and nutrient cycling
• Topographical features
• Marine organisms
  • Plankton
  • Aquatic plants
  • Aquatic animals
  • Specific local animals
  • Aquatic food webs
  • Behavioral changes due to daily cycle
• Ecosystems
  • Tropical reef
  • Temperate
  • Freshwater
• Environmentally friendly diving techniques
  • Buoyancy control
  • Kick technique
  • Local considerations
• Issues facing marine ecosystems
  • Issues of local interest
  • Global habitat destruction and pollution
  • Over fishing
• Coral bleaching
• Diver animal interactions
  • Intrusive
  • Non-intrusive
  • Feeding
  • Treating marine life injuries
• Observation Techniques
  • Grids
  • Passive observation
• Collection Methods

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

At various sites complete the following:

• Maintain good buoyancy control
• Make general observations
  • Location
  • Bottom composition
  • Marine life
  • Special characteristics
  • Indications of human impact
• Grid observations
  • Make two separate sets of grid observations during each dive
  • Describe all marine life for later identification
  • Record behavior
  • Log Dives
• Compare and contrast the dive sites
• Discuss the effect of human impacts
• Discuss ways to minimize human impact

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Marine Eco Systems Awareness Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI Marine Eco Systems Diver minimum requirements:

• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2105

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

Introducing a diver to the benefits of controlling his buoyancy usually has a great positive effect, an effect that will enhance the diver’s sense of enjoyment and feeling of accomplishment. This specialty is designed to increase the open water diver’s understanding of the factors that influence buoyancy, and to train the diver how to use the means available to him as methods for controlling his buoyancy. The added benefits to the marine and freshwater environments, cannot be overstated; as well as a diver that has better control of himself in conjunction with his environment.

Please Note:    This course has NO required reading material to be completed before class. 
 

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.  
 

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking to improve and/or fine-tune their buoyancy to prevent damage to the underwater world.

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Advanced Buoyancy Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Why do we care about buoyancy?
  • Don’t touch the aquatic life, save the environment
  • Less fatigue, less effort required, more fun
  • Reduced air consumption = more bottom time
  • Able to control buoyancy = better pictures or video
• When must a buoyancy check be performed?
  • When equipment is changed
  • When diving environment is changed
  • Have not been diving for a while
  • During every dive
• Buoyancy factors
  • Additional equipment; photo, video, extra cylinder, extra equipment, dive lights, etc
  • Cylinder weight changes during a dive as air is consumed from the cylinder, dependent on cylinder size
  • Using lungs vs. BCD.
  • Using BCD vs. dry suit
  • Staying physically fit
  • Breathing patterns and technique
  • Compression of suit due to water pressure
  • Weights – position and distribution and what impact that may have
  • Streamlining equipment
  • Streamlining body (body positions)
  • Efficient kicking style
  • Practicing your skills
  • Weighting
    • Swimsuit
    • 3mm and 5mm wet suit
    • Cold-water suit with hood
    • Dry suit
  • How to perform a standard buoyancy check; with an almost empty cylinder

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Assembling of dive equipment
• Pre-dive check
• Perform a pre-dive buoyancy check with almost empty cylinder
• Adjust weight to achieve correct buoyancy
• Change cylinder and use a full cylinder
• Do a pre-dive buoyancy check with full cylinder
• Controlled descent
• Hovering exercises
  • Fine-tune with breath control
  • Fine-tune with BCD or dry suit
  • Close to bottom exercises, no touch
• Swimming exercises
• Ascent that includes a safety stop hovering; simulate safety stop if in pool
• Log dive, noting the amount of weight used
• Change to a full cylinder
• Do a pre-dive buoyancy check with the full cylinder
• Controlled descent
• Hovering exercises
  • Fine-tune with breath control
  • Fine-tune with BCD or dry suit
  • Close to bottom exercises, no touch
• Ascent that includes a safety stop hovering; simulate safety stop if in pool
• Log dive, noting the amount of weight used 
   

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in advanced buoyancy diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

The SDI Advanced Buoyancy Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development program. 
SDI Advanced Buoyancy Diver minimum requirements:

• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate sound buoyancy techniques

Part# 2106

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

Boat Diving occurs every day around the world; whether is it an inland lake or in the Caribbean, South Pacific or Read Sea, divers can explore the underwater world located off-shore. Dive boats vary from small private vessels to a large live-aboard dive boats. The SDI Boat Diver Course covers the “how-to’s” of boat diving from how to board, proper boat etiquette, entry(s) and much more. The course will also introduce you to the various types of boats you may be diving from.

Please Note: This course has required reading material that must be completed before class. You will need to pick up your materials at the store or have them shipped to you (additional cost). eLearning Option: Not available for this course

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.  
 

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for more information to maximize the use of boats for scuba diving

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Boat Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Types of boats and features of those boats
  • Live-aboard
  • Charter boat
  • Private boat
• Safety features
  • Life preservers
  • Life boats
  • Flares SDI Instructor Manual
  • Radio
  • Throw rings
  • US Coast Guard requirements
  • First aid kit
  • Oxygen kit
• Exiting and boarding the boat
  • Type of ladder
  • How to use ladder
  • Entries
• Planning boat trips
  • Types and sizes of boats
  • Location
  • Degree of difficulty of dives
  • Air availability on boat
  • Food/beverages available
  • Sleeping equipment necessary?
  • Weather
  • Dive planning
• Determining necessary equipment
  • Use of a checklist
  • C-card and log book
  • Extra cylinder
  • All open water equipment
  • Spare parts kit
  • Camera/photo equipment
  • Game equipment
• Boat procedures
  • Loading
  • Captain and crew briefs of special procedures
  • Special rules
  • Crowded area procedures
• Lines
  • Anchor line
  • Descent lines
  • Tag line
  • Stern safety line
  • Decompression bar
• Underwater navigation from a boat
  • Natural navigation
  • Anchored
    • No current
    • Current
  • Drift diving

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Plan a boat dive
• Briefing on dock before departure
• Review of boat diving procedures
• Captain’s brief and travel to dive destination
• Entry
• Exit
• Log dive
• Care of equipment
• Attempt to use a different types of boat s or, at least, use a different entry point from the boat during the course

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in boat diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Boat Diver Certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development program.

SDI Boat Diver minimum requirements:

• Satisfactorily complete the SDI Boat Diver Knowledge Quests with a passing score of 80%, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor
• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

Part# 2107

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

Nitrox is a breathing gas that has a lot of benefits for both new and experienced divers. This course will cover the use of nitrox mixtures from 22 to 40 percent oxygen

***This course includes eLearning to be completed before your course begins. If you DO NOT receive an eLearning confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact us!  To help us ensure quality training and the best experience for you and your fellow students, give yourself enough time to complete the online materials!***

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking to advance their knowledge and skill set
• The certified diver looking to extend their no decompression time limits

Course prerequisites:

• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent
• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent, or current enrollment in one of those courses

What you can expect to learn:

• Physiology of using different breathing gas mixtures and equipment considerations for using nitrox
• How to safely use nitrox mixtures up to 40 percent with a dive computer
• Advantages and disadvantages of utilizing nitrox mixtures, how to analyze a nitrox mixture

What’s in it for you?

The benefits of using Nitrox including:

• Increased safety margins
• Reduced post dive fatigue
• Extended no-decompression times

SDI Computer Nitrox minimum requirements:

• 100 percent comprehension of questions and answers at the end of each chapter in the SDI Computer Nitrox Diving Course
• Analyze at least two nitrox cylinders
• Log at least one nitrox cylinder
• Program a nitrox computer to a mix between 22-40 percent oxygen

Part# 2109

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

Drift diving allows a diver to travel over a large area without expending much energy. You simply get neutrally buoyant and enjoy the dive as the scenery moves past you. The SDI Drift Diver Course covers the “how-to’s” of drift diving from, how to enter and exit drifts, what to do if you get caught in a drift and wish to get out, how to get out of the drift to observe something special, and much more. The course will also introduce you to the various types of drift currents you may be diving in.

Please Note:    This course has required reading material that must be completed before class. You will need to pick up your materials at the store or have them shipped to you at the cost of shipping. eLearning Option: Not available for this course

Before Signing up for this course:

Please review Medical Questionnaire below and get physician approval IF needed.  
 

Who this course is for:

• This course is designed to teach divers the skills, knowledge, and necessary techniques to properly conduct drift dives

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Drift Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• The Aquatic environment: causes and effects
  • Tides
  • Currents
  • Waves
  • Surge
• Equipment
  • Floats
  • Lines
  • Reels
  • Compass
• Planning and procedures
  • Buddy organization
  • Problems and hazards
  • Buoyancy control
  • Navigation
  • Communications
  • Safety stop procedures
  • Entries and exits

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Plan a drift dive
• Briefing on dock before departure
• Review of drift diving procedures
• Captain’s brief and travel to dive destination
• Entry
• Exit
• Log dive
• Care of equipment
• Attempt to use a different types of drift s or, at least, use a different entry point from the drift during the course

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI
Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in drift diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Drift Diver Certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI Drift Diver minimum requirements:

• Complete two open water dives to a maximum depth no greater than 18 metres / 60 feet
• Follow the instructor on the first dive while he demonstrates proper use of float, lines and reels
• On the second dive the students must execute the skills learned on the first dive such as: planning, demonstrating and executing the skills they learned from the first dive

Part# 2111

All specialties are done on a private/semi private basis. When you sign up for a specialty course please contact us to schedule your classroom/in-water portion to complete your certification. 

This course is designed to give an in-depth look at how dive equipment works. It will cover general repairs and maintenance of various types of exposure suits, BCD’s, regulators, and other accessories.

Please Note: There are no required materials to be completed before the course. 

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking to learn more about the scuba equipment they use on each dive as well as how to perform basic “in the field” repairs to prevent losing a dive due to an equipment malfunction

Course prerequisites:

• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Equipment Specialist Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Exposure suits (wetsuits and dry suits)
  • How they work
  • Types of materials they are made from
  • Features
  • Basic repairs
  • Care and maintenance
  • Choosing the best for you
• Buoyancy Compensator Devices (BCDs), regulators and alternate air sources
  • How they work
  • Types of materials they are made of
  • Features
  • Basic repairs
  • Care and maintenance
  • Choosing the best for you
• Cylinders and weight systems
  • How they work
  • Types of materials they are made of
  • Features
  • Basic repairs
  • Care and maintenance
  • Transportation
  • Choosing the best for you
• Computers, accessories, various equipment and devices
  • Types
  • How they work
  • Features
  • Basic repairs
  • Care and maintenance
  • Transportation
  • Choosing the best for you

What’s in it for you?

• Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in basic equipment repair procedures to their personal scuba equipment. It is recommended that all major equipment repairs be completed by a qualified trained equipment technician.

Also, the SDI Equipment Specialist Diver Certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI Equipment Specialist Diver minimum requirements:

• Pass an exam the instructor has developed to check the learning by the student and how well the student has comprehended the material

Part# 1176

This course is intended to teach emergency oxygen (O₂) administration. This program covers equipment and procedures for administrating oxygen as an emergency procedure. Equipment selection and use for decompression illness emergencies are detailed with practical components to train a well rounded rescuer.

Part# 2000