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

*Note: Divers under the age of 18 must participate in underwater navigation diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

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