Oh no!! I just lost my sunglasses!!
Have you ever dropped something in the water? Are you looking for lost ‘treasure’?
The PADI Search & Recovery Diver Specialty course will teach you effective ways to find objects underwater and bring them to the surface. Small, large or just awkward, there is a way to bring them up.
If you lose your car keys in your house there are a couple of different techniques we use to locate them. Think when was the last time we used them, then try to back track through your minds eye, turn the house upside down, look in the car door or ignition, it can be frustrating.
Whenever we try to find things underwater, there are a couple of techniques we use, different types of search patterns depending on the underwater terrain. Once we have located the object then we need to decide how to safely get it to the surface and keep it there until we can get the boat to it, this involves good planning.
If it is sunglasses or car keys we can just pick them up, if it is an outboard motor then we will need a lifting device (lift bag), anything larger than a small outboard motor is beyond the scope of this course.
PADI Search & Recovery specialty course goals
The planning, organization, procedures, problems and hazards of search and recovery diving
Limited visibility diving and underwater navigation techniques
Proper techniques and safety considerations for object location, including the use of various search patterns, lines and reels
Proper techniques and safety considerations for recovery of objects using various lifting devices
What’s included in the PADI Search & Recovery specialty course
PADI Search & Recovery Specialty Manual
PADI Search & Recovery Specialty Chevron (badge)
Gold PADI Search & Recovery Certification Card
PADI Search & Recovery Specialty Certificate of Recognition
Two days on a boat to complete the four (4) dives
Classroom time to check the knowledge review in your manual and watch the PADI Search & Recovery DVD
A pool session to practice the techniques of Search & Recovery and review your general diving skills
Who can become a PADI Search & Recovery specialty diver?
Junior Advanced Open water Diver – 12-14 years old – Certified Adult maximum depth 21m
Advanced Open water Diver – 15 years up – Maximum depth 30m
Diver uncovers a treasure amphora
What you need
Mask, Fins and Snorkel
Exposure Suit and Accessories (hood)
Weight System (weight belt/integrated weight with quick release)
Tanks (4 dives)
Regulator with SPG (submersible pressure gauge)
Alternate Air Source
BCD with low pressure inflator
Instrumentation with a means to monitor depth, time and direction
Recreational Dive Planner (RDP) or eRDPML
Diving Tool/Knife capable of cutting line
Slate and pencil
Whistle or surface signaling device
Dive Bag
Log Book
On a tight budget or schedule ?
Complete your PADI Search & Recovery Diver Specialty Course on a dive by dive schedule, you could complete one dive a week for four weeks, or one dive a month for four months depending on your budget/schedule. For details on this option please speak to the Whitsunday Diving Academy team.
Questions and Schedule
For the classroom and pool you will need to bring your completed PADI Search & Recovery Diver Specialty Manual and knowledge review, swimmers, towel and dive equipment.
For the boat trip you will need lunch, water bottle, swimmers, towel, hat, sun block and dive equipment.
Any questions about the PADI Search & Recovery Diver Specialty Course or the schedule, please speak to the Whitsunday Diving Academy Team.
