The SDI River diving course aquaints a diver with the necessary procedures and knowledge to safely dive in the rivers. The focus of this specialty is on how to handle different types of river conditions.  

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Drift Diver or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Drift Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Dive Planning
  • Map of River
  • Compass Review
  • Navigation
• Emergency Procedures
  • Surface emergencies, no SCUBA
  • SCUBA emergencies
  • Rescue procedures
  • Review of lifesaving skills'
• River Diving Procedures
  • Set up
  • Fresh water buoyancy
  • Navagation aids
  • Land marks
  • Site assessment
  • Special procedures
• Diving Procedures
  • Usa of the dive flag
  • Float handling and line attachment
  • Tidal/estuary zone considerations
  • Buddy procedures
• Things to do in the river
  • Underwater collecting and hunting
  • Photography

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in 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
Also, the SDI River Diver Certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI River Diver minimum requirements:

Complete two open water river dives to a maximum depth no greater than 18 metres / 60 feet
On the second dive the students must execute the skills learned on the first dive such as: planning, demonstrating and executing the skills they learned from the first dive