- Ages 15+
Sidemount diving gives you flexibility and streamlining options. Plus, you don’t have to walk with heavy cylinders on your back – just enter the water, clip them on and go.
Quick Details
What Do I Really Need?
The purpose of the Self-Reliant Diver specialty course is to recognize and accept the role of the buddy system and its contributions to diver safety while identifying and developing self-reliance and independence while diving. There are two reasons for an experienced diver to take the Self-Reliant Diver course:
- To develop the skills of planning and carrying out dives without a partner when preferred or necessary
- To sharpen skills of diving self-reliance, making the diver a stronger partner in a dive pair or team
This course covers when diving alone may be applicable and the need to compensate for those situations, including dive planning, life support system readiness, adaptive training, equipment and responsibility. This course is an introduction to self-reliant diving that helps student divers develop the skills, knowledge and techniques necessary to rely on themselves first, whether or not they are diving with a partner, including:
- The value and application of the buddy system
- The philosophy of, and motivation for, diving without a partner
- Potential risks of diving alone and how to manage those risks
- The value of equipment redundancy and what back-up equipment is needed
- Dive planning and gas management
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This course is open to divers who are:
- At least 18 years old
- Certified as PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent
- /courses/beginner-open-water/padi-advanced-open-water/Have a minimum of 100 logged dives
- Able to either answer NO to all questions on the standard Medical History Form or secure a physician’s approval prior to the start of class
- Highly recommended certified as PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent
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This course consists of:
- Self study
- Classroom and gear setup session
- Three open water dives
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Self study takes place at the comfort of your home. Classroom session takes place right here at Squalo Divers. Open water dives take place at one of more than 50 dive sites that we have to offer.
Self-Reliant Diver Specialty classes start at any time. Classroom session is done during regular store hours. Open water training dives are done on any day of the week. All activities take place by appointment only.
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The course fee includes:
- All instruction
- Three open water training dives
- Use of air tanks and weights
- Certification card processing
Students are responsible for supplying all of the equipment items listed below, plus:
- Transportation to and from all dive/training sites
- Food and drinks
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Students are responsible for supplying all of the equipment items listed below:
- Scuba mask, scuba snorkel, scuba fins +
- Wetsuit *+
- Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) *+
- Single tank BCD, sidemount BCD, or harness/wing/back plate BCD for doubles
- Regulator *+
- Primary regulator & pony regulator, sidemount regulators, or doubles regulators
- Dive computer *+
- Delayed signal marker buoy (DSMB) +
- Whistle +
- Underwater compass *+
- Cutting tool (knife, scissor, etc) +
- Writing slate +
- Reel or finger spool +
- Silicone mouthpiece +
- Gear bag +
- Bathing suit and towel
*Items are available for rent at Squalo Divers.
+Items are available for purchase at Squalo Divers.