The SSI Search & Recovery Specialty Program, This program provides the skills and concepts required to safely plan and conduct search and recovery dives. You will learn about search patterns, specialized dive plans, underwater communication, and how to recover small to medium-sized objects using specialized equipment like lift bags. You will earn the SSI Search and Recovery Specialty certification after completing this program.
Have you ever seen someone lose their mask or a fin when they jump into the water? Has anyone ever asked you to help them recover their keys, or maybe a small anchor lost over the side of their boat? Ocean, lakes and rivers are dynamic environments, and sometimes things get lost.
Finding and recovering lost objects is an advanced skill, and requires careful thought and dive planning. Without proper preparation, a search could take considerably longer than it should, or a recovery operation may fail.
This program focuses on the recovery of small items (i.e. ring, watch, wallet, etc.) and medium-sized objects (i.e. underwater cameras, boat motors, etc.) in an open water environment. Recovering items in an overhead environment such as ice, cavern, or wreck requires further training and very specialized techniques which are not covered in this program.
Taking SSI’s Search and Recovery Program provides in-depth information on the necessary equipment, skills, knowledge and experience required to execute a recreational search and recovery operation for small to medium sized objects.
Program Details:
- Minimum Age: 12
- Certification Prerequisites: Open Water Diver
- Academic Sessions: Online learning
- Pool/Confined Water Sessions: 1, mandatory before open water dive
- Open Water Dives: 2
- Maximum Training Depth: Varies with age
- Suggested Duration: 6 – 10 hours