PADI Self Reliant Diver Specialty course

Bolster your skills and confidence when diving alone, in a dive pair or as part of a team

Although diving with a buddy is the norm, there are reasons for an experienced diver to develop self-reliance and independence while diving.

The PADI Self Reliant Diver Specialty is all about learning to carry out dives without a partner can make you a stronger diver in most dive situations.

With proper training, equipment and the right attitude to accept the risks involved in independent diving, an experience diver can responsibly engage in dives without a buddy.

Self-reliant diving is an adventure activity that is not for everyone, but does have its place. If you have the mental discipline and commitment to learn and follow self-reliant diving techniques, you’ll bolster your skills and confidence when diving alone, in a dive pair or as part of a team.
The PADI Self Reliant Specialty course counts as one of the five Specialty courses towards your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating.

At a glance:

Pre-requisites: Minimum 18 years old; minimum 100 logged dives; PADI Advanced Open Water certified.
Counts towards your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating
Duration: Training dives: 3 – Days: 2.
Price and what’s included
Save time + money: tag on your PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty course.

More info

Can I do this?

To take this PADI Dive course, you need to be a minimum of:

18 years old and
Minimum 100 logged dives
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

What will I learn?

Learning how to compensate for situations you would normally handle with a buddy is the focus of the Self-Reliant Diver course. This includes proper dive planning using air consumption rate calculations, life support system redundancy, and independent management of dive emergencies. During three self-reliant training dives, you’ll practice:

Performing an air consumption rate swim to gather information for later calculation.
Switching to a redundant air supply system during simulated emergency situations.
Navigating to various points, including your exit.
Swimming without a mask.
Using a DSMB.

What scuba gear will I use?

Besides your basic scuba equipment, you’ll need a DSMB, redundant gas source, redundant dive computer and redundant surface signaling device.

Your PADI Instructor or local dive center staff will suggest other gear as appropriate.

All the equipment you’ll need is provided during your Self Reliant Diver Specialty course, and there’s plenty of choice in The Dive Bus shop if you’d like to get your own. You can be sure that your Dive Bus instructor will advise which equipment is right for you, not their wallet, as there’s no sales commission here.

What will I be qualified to do?

You’ll be qualified to dive Independently, where permitted.

Check out the rest of the heaps of PADI Specialty Dive courses to enjoy. Each PADI Specialty Diver certification moves you one step closer to earning the coveted status of PADI Master Scuba Diver: the highest rating for recreational scuba divers.

To become a PADI Master Scuba Diver, you’ll also need to take your Rescue Diver and Emergency First Responder courses. Save money when you take both courses with The Dive Bus…

How long does it take?

3 training dives over 2 days.

When can I start?

Shoot us a message to get booked in our schedule or swing by The Dive Bus once you’re here in sunny Curacao to schedule your dives.

I'm in: What are my next steps?

Download PADI Medical Statement and Questionnaire and check out the Medical Statement to ensure you have no contra-indications for scuba diving and that you’re in reasonable physical health.
Everything clear? Do it: book your PADI Self Reliant Diver Specialty course with The Dive Bus now!