The PADI Deep Diver specialty is designed for certified divers who want to safely explore deeper environments within recreational limits. Diving deeper introduces increased task loading, narcosis awareness, gas management considerations, and the need for precise planning and control.

In this course, you’ll learn how to plan deep dives, manage gas consumption, recognize and respond to narcosis, and maintain buoyancy and awareness at depth. Emphasis is placed on conservative dive planning, clear communication, and disciplined execution so deeper dives remain enjoyable and controlled.

At Space City Dive Center, Deep Diver training blends local diving with destination-style depth profiles. The first deep dive can be completed locally, while deeper training dives require travel to appropriate sites such as Lake Travis in Austin or completion during a scheduled dive trip. This approach ensures realistic depth experience while maintaining safety and training standards.

What You’ll Learn

• Planning and executing deep recreational dives
• Gas management and air consumption considerations
• Recognizing and managing nitrogen narcosis
• Buoyancy control and trim at depth
• Emergency procedures and ascent planning for deep dives

Course Structure

• Time Commitment: Completed over two days
• eLearning: Complete at your own pace
• Open Water: 4 dives

Dive 1 may be completed locally. Dives 2–4 require travel to deeper dive sites such as Lake Travis (Austin area) or completion as part of an approved dive trip.

Who This Course Is For

Deep Diver is ideal for certified divers ready to expand their depth limits and explore deeper wrecks, walls, and environments. It’s a natural next step after Advanced Open Water and pairs well with Nitrox, Wreck, and Night specialties.

Prerequisites

• Minimum Age: 15
• Minimum Certification Level: Adventure Diver or 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.
• A dive computer capable of tracking depth and no-decompression limits is required.

What’s Included

• PADI Deep Diver eLearning
• Instructor-led deep diving training
• Local and destination deep dives as outlined
• Use of provided scuba equipment
• Deep Diver Specialty certification upon completion

Travel, lodging, and site entry fees for dive sites or dive trips are not included.