SDI Dry Suit Diver

The SDI Dry Suit Diver Course will open up a whole new world of diving to you. Many of the diving environments around the world are better experienced in a dry suit. Why? These areas have an abundance of marine life waiting to be seen and photographed – they just happen to be a little colder! Dry suits are also used in tropical water during the cooler months.This course allows the student to develop the knowledge and skills to properly use a dry suit. It will discuss the types of dry suits, accessories, maintenance and how to make basic repairs.

Who this course is for:

The certified diver looking for advanced training in dry suit equipment, selection and diving techniques. This diver can extend their diving season, spend more time diving in cooler environments and/or enjoy enhancing their dive experience by staying warm and cozy in a dry suit.

Course prerequisites:

  • SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
  • Minimum age 18, 12 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Dry Suit Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

  • Types of dry suits
  • Shell style
  • Crushed neoprene
  • Neoprene
  • Types of seals
  • Latex
  • Neoprene
  • Features
  • Self don
  • Rear entry
  • Boots
  • Zipper guard: protect waterproof zipper from chaffing
  • Warm neck collar
  • Suspenders
  • Dive wear insulation (often times called undergarments)
  • Cut to be close to the skin
  • Compression resistant
  • Components
  • Dry suit valves
  • Inflator and deflator considerations
  • Buoyancy control
  • Maintenance and care
  • Cleaning
  • Zipper care
  • Minor repairs
  • Dry suit emergencies

The required skills you will have to demonstrate include all of the following and more:

  • Planning a dive
  • Proper donning of a dry suit
  • Review functions of the dry suit
  • Buoyancy check and proper weighting
  • Practice dry suit skills
  • Inflate and deflate dry suit
  • Roll out from an inverted position
  • Buoyancy skills such as hovering in a fixed position
  • Emergency procedures for dry suit malfunction
  • Safety stop
  • Ascend and exit
  • Log dive

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in dry suit 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

The SDI Dry Suit Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to complete the SDI Advanced Diver Development program or SDI Master Scuba Diver Development program.

SDI Dry Suit Diver minimum requirements:

  • Satisfactorily complete the SDI Dry Suit Diver Knowledge Quests with a passing score of 80%, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor
  • Complete all open water requirements efficiently
  • Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution