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PADI Search and Recovery Diver

PADI Search and Recovery Diver

Retrieve lost items that have fallen overboard or over 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 PADI Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course is for you. There are effective ways to search for objects underwater that increase your chances of success. And 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.

What the Course Entails

Gathering information and resources, then carefully planning a search are the first important steps you learn. During four scuba dives you’ll practice:

  • Swimming search patterns using your compass and natural navigation.

  • Locating large and small objects using various search patterns.

  • Using a lift bag for large or heavy objects, plus other recovery methods.

  • Planning a search operation based on facts gathered about a lost object prior to the dive.



    • Course Duration: 1 Days

Course Pre-requisites

PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Divers who are at least 12 years old can enrol in the Search and Recover Diver course. PADI (Junior) Open Water Divers with a PADI Underwater Navigator certification also qualify.

Course Flow

Find lost items and lift them to the surface. It’s fun to use the lift bag. Not only are these skills fun, but very practical and ultimately useful because eventually, you’ll lose something in the water. As a Search and Recovery Diver, you’ll know how to search for and recover it.

How Can I Get Started?

Visit your local PADI Dive Center or Resort to enroll in the course and get a PADI Search and Recovery Crew-Pak that includes your manual and video. By studying before class, you’ll be better prepared to start practicing your search and recovery skills when you meet with your instructor.

What is the next adventure?

Aware Fish Identification

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