Search & Recovery Diver
Search and Recovery Diver at Space City Dive Center teaches divers how to plan and conduct effective underwater searches and safely recover objects using lift bags, lines, and team coordination.
If you don’t see course dates that fit your schedule, sign up for Search and Recovery Diver and let us know when you're ready to get in the water.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
The PADI Search and Recovery Diver specialty is designed for certified divers who want to build practical problem-solving skills underwater. This course focuses on methodical search techniques, situational awareness, and safe recovery procedures rather than brute force or improvised methods.
You’ll learn how to select and execute appropriate search patterns, work with lines and reels, and use lift bags correctly to recover objects without damaging equipment or the environment. Emphasis is placed on planning, communication, and conservative decision-making so recoveries are controlled and predictable.
At Space City Dive Center, Search and Recovery training is hands-on and scenario-driven. Divers practice real-world techniques over multiple dives, building confidence in task loading while maintaining buoyancy, awareness, and teamwork.
What You’ll Learn
- Planning and executing underwater search patterns
- Using reels, lines, and navigation techniques
- Proper lift bag selection and safe deployment
- Team communication and task coordination
- Managing risk and maintaining control during recoveries
Course Structure
- Time Commitment: Completed over two days
- eLearning: Complete at your own pace
- Open Water: 4 dives
Who This Course Is For
Search and Recovery Diver is ideal for experienced divers who enjoy practical challenges and skill-based diving. It’s especially useful for divers interested in wreck diving, public safety adjacent skills, or preparing for leadership and professional-level training.
Prerequisites
- Minimum Age: 12
- Minimum Certification Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
Equipment Requirements
- Space City Dive Center provides all major scuba equipment, including BCD, regulator, dive computer, exposure protection, tanks, and weights.
- Students are required to provide their own personal gear, including mask, snorkel, fins, and boots. Rental packages are available if needed.
- Lift bags, reels, lines, and recovery tools are used during training. Equipment is provided during the course.
What’s Included
- PADI Search and Recovery Diver eLearning
- Instructor-led open water training
- Use of provided scuba and recovery equipment
- Search and Recovery Diver Specialty certification upon completion
Lake or site entry fees, when applicable, are not included.