Can You Dive Alone?

Although diving with a buddy is the norm, 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 experience 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.

What You Learn

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.

Prerequisites

To take this course, you must be:

  • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 18 years old
  • 100 logged dives minimum
  • In good overall health
  • You’ll also complete a skills assessment with your PADI Self-Reliant Diver Instructor before diving into the course.

Forms

Just like in your previous classes, you need to completed a few forms.  It is very important that you review these documents carefully before signing.

  • The PADI medical questionnaire, available for download here
    • Note: If you suffer from any of the conditions listed in the questionnaire, you need to seek approval from your physician before any in-water activities.
  • A PADI Self-Reliant Training Liability release, available for download here
  • A PADI Continued Education form, available for download here

Costs

Self-Reliant Diver course cost is $299.00  This includes:

  • PADI Crew-Pak and eLearning.
  • The cost of this course does not include rental of scuba equipment.
  • Boat charter fee (if applicable) are not included in course cost.

Also, please note the following:

  • Students must have a DSMB, backup dive mask, redundant gas source, redundant dive computer and redundant surface signaling device.

** There is no refund on classes, unless your doctor informs us that you are medically unfit to dive **