Although diving with a buddy is always encouraged, there are reasons for an experienced diver to develop self-reliance and independence while diving. Learning to carry out dives without a partner can make you a stronger diver in most dive situations.
With proper training, equipment and the right attitude to accept the risks involved in independent diving, an experienced diver can responsibly engage in dives without a buddy. Self-reliant diving is an adventure activity that is not for everyone but does have its place.
If you have the mental discipline and commitment to learn and follow self-reliant diving techniques, you’ll bolster your skills and confidence when diving alone, in a dive pair or as part of a team.
To enroll in this course you need the following:
- PADI Advanced Open Water
- Be age 18 or older
- Have logged 100 dives or more
- Complete a skills assessment with your PADI Self-Reliant Diver Instructor before diving into the course.
Course Outline
Learning how to compensate for situations you would normally handle with a buddy is the focus of the Self-Reliant Diver course. This includes proper dive planning using air consumption rate calculations, life support system redundancy, and independent management of dive emergencies. During three self-reliant training dives, you’ll practice:
- Performing an air consumption rate swim to gather information for later calculation.
- Switching to a redundant air supply system during simulated emergency situations.
- Swimming without a mask.
- Navigating to various points, including your exit.
- Using a DSMB (Delayed Surface Marker Buoy).
Get credit:
The first dive of this PADI Specialty Diver course may credit as an Adventure Dive toward your Advanced Open Water Diver certification – ask your instructor about earning credit.
By completing this course you will also be one step closer to achieving the covenant title of Master Scuba Diver and joining the elite group of divers.
Equipment
Besides your basic scuba equipment, you’ll need a DSMB, redundant gas source, redundant dive computer and redundant surface signaling device. Your Phoenix PADI Instructor will suggest other gear as appropriate.
Getting Started
As soon as you sign up (added the course to your cart and payment cleared) with Phoenix Divers to do your PADI Self-Reliant Diver Course, you will receive an email with all the information you need.
Your Phoenix Divers PADI Instructor will then contact you about scheduling time for practical training.
- This course requires 2 - 3 days for practical assessment
- Normally over weekends but possible for during the week training