The PADI Self Reliant Diver Course:
When diving with a buddy works, it works well and diving is great! But many divers are often left in difficult situations by a bad diving partner or difficult circumstances. - Ever had a buddy separate from you on a dive? Loose you on a drift when you had to stop for a split second? 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.

What you learn:
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.

Prerequisites:
In order to participate in this course you must:

• Be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or have a qualifying certification from another training organization.
• Have a minimum 100 logged dives.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Successfully complete a dive skills assessment by a PADI Self-Reliant Diver Specialty Instructor.

The scuba gear you will need:
You use all the basic scuba gear plus:

• SMB/DSMB with 30m of line
• Redundant Gas source (Pony, Sidemount configuration, or Twin Cylinders) - With one handed operation
• Redundant Depth Gauge, Bottom Timer, or Dive Computer
• Redundant Signaling Devices - Both audible and Visual
• Knife / Cutting Tool
• Slate and Pencil
• A spare mask is recommended

What is Covered?
During the course you will complete:

• A theory session covering:
  • Self rescue
  • Self Reliant Diving
  • Equipment for Self Reliant Diving
  • Dive Planning
  • Independent Management of Dive Emergencies
• A Pool Session to hone skills and to practice drills, and emergency procedures
• 3 Open water dives to demonstrate abilities and prove capability of solo diving.