Who should take this course?
At some point, every diver drops something.
A light. A camera. A tool. Maybe something way more important than any of those.
The difference between “well… it’s gone” and “give me a minute, I’ve got this” is training.
The Search & Recovery course is for divers who want to solve problems underwater, not just shrug at them.
This is hands-on, task-focused diving. You’ll learn how to find things efficiently and bring them back safely, whether it’s small, heavy, awkward, or buried.
If you’re a PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Diver who is at least 12 years old, you’re ready. Open Water Divers with Underwater Navigator certification also qualify.
This is where diving becomes useful.
What will you learn?
This course is built around real-world problem solving.
You’ll learn how to gather information, plan a search, execute it efficiently, and recover objects without turning the dive into chaos.
During four open water dives, you’ll work on:
- Search patterns using compass and natural navigation
- Locating both small and large objects underwater
- Using lift bags safely for heavy or awkward recoveries
- Planning and executing structured search operations
This is not random swimming. It’s controlled, methodical, and surprisingly satisfying when it all comes together.
If you’re working toward Advanced Open Water, the first dive of this PADI Specialty Diver course may count as an Adventure Dive. Ask me and we’ll line it up correctly.
How can you start learning now?
This course is scheduled by request. We’ll coordinate logistics, location, and dive conditions together.
Once you reach out, we’ll map out your dives, go over equipment and expectations, and get you set up with the PADI materials so you’re ready to go.
What scuba gear will you use?
You’ll use your standard scuba equipment, along with a compass and underwater slate.
Depending on the dives, we may also use lift bags, lines, reels, marker buoys, and other tools used in real recovery work.
If you’ve never used this kind of gear before, that’s the point. You will by the end of this course.
How long will it take?
This course typically includes a classroom or eLearning session, followed by four open water dives.
If you received credit from your Advanced Open Water course for the first dive, we can often complete the remaining dives in a single day. Otherwise, we’ll spread it out over two days.
Either way, expect a full, active training experience.
Ready when you are
This course is taught privately or by request at locations and schedules that make sense for the type of diving involved.
If you like problem-solving, task-focused dives, and the idea of actually bringing something back from underwater, this is one of the most rewarding courses you can take.
This course is scheduled by request. We’ll coordinate logistics, location, and dive conditions together.
