SDI DRY SUIT DIVER

The SDI Dry Suit Diver Course will open up a whole new world of diving to you. Many of the diving environments around the world are better experienced in a dry suit. Why? These areas have an abundance of marine life waiting to be seen and photographed – they just happen to be a little colder! Dry suits are also used in tropical water during the cooler months.This course allows the student to develop the knowledge and skills to properly use a dry suit. It will discuss the types of dry suits, accessories, maintenance and how to make basic repairs.

Who this course is for:

The certified diver looking for advanced training in dry suit equipment, selection and diving techniques. This diver can extend their diving season, spend more time diving in cooler environments and/or enjoy enhancing their dive experience by staying warm and cozy in a dry suit.

Course prerequisites:

SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
Minimum age 18, 12 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Dry Suit Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

Types of dry suits
- Shell style
- Crushed neoprene
- Neoprene
Types of seals
- Latex
- Neoprene
Features
- Self don
- Rear entry
- Boots
- Zipper guard: protect waterproof zipper from chaffing
- Warm neck collar
- Suspenders
Dive wear insulation (often times called undergarments)
- Cut to be close to the skin
- Compression resistant
- Components
Dry suit valves
- Inflator and deflator considerations
Buoyancy control
Maintenance and care
- Cleaning
- Zipper care
- Minor repairs
Dry suit emergencies

The required skills you will have to demonstrate include all of the following and more:

Planning a dive
Proper donning of a dry suit
Review functions of the dry suit
Buoyancy check and proper weighting
Practice dry suit skills
Inflate and deflate dry suit
Roll out from an inverted position
Buoyancy skills such as hovering in a fixed position
Emergency procedures for dry suit malfunction
Safety stop
Ascend and exit
Log dive

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in dry suit diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

The diving activities approximate those of training
The areas of activities approximate those of training
Environmental conditions approximate those of training

The SDI Dry Suit Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to complete the SDI Advanced Diver Development program or SDI Master Scuba Diver Development program.