About the Course
The purpose of the PADI RNLI Diver Sea Survival Specialty Diver Course is to cover the knowledge and skills to enable divers to be better prepared and skilled to dive in the UK environment.
Between 2011 and 2015, there were 50 scuba fatalities in UK waters*. Sadly, many of these losses could have been prevented with improved diving preparation and personal diving skills.
Knowing what to do if something goes wrong at sea can make the vital difference between life and death. You could be rescued more quickly – or may not even need rescuing at all.
This course is delivered by our Instructor and current RNLI Boat Crewman so you're in for a totally unique experience. Unlike anywhere else delivering this course we go way beyond just the course content as we're so passionate about the importance of sea safety. Our course also includes:
- Visit to local RNLI Lifeboat station to become acquainted with the Atlantic 85 B-class SAR unit. We'll even let you pose for a photo on the helm...
- Spend time understanding how the skill's you've learnt play into the equipment we use onboard the lifeboats.
- On occasion we will also run this course to co-inside with actual training where you may be fortunate enough to experience a real life recovery and put your hard learnt skills to the test.
- Course delivered in UK coastal waters in real life conditions; not a swimming pool insight.
- A portion of the course fee is also donated to the RNLI
*RNLI analysis of WAID UK fatalities accidental and natural causes only 2011-15 coastal dataset
Why take this course
Learn essential skills for staying safe in UK waters
Discover new safety equipment
Be prepared in case something goes wrong whilst in the water
Understand how your actions feed into UK Search and Rescue procedures and what you can do to help yourself in an emergency situation
What you'll learn
Pre-dive planning. (site conditions, tides and appropriate exit and entry points)
Reinforce buddy procedures and additional considerations when diving in low visibility.
Diving equipment checks appropriate for local environment.
Appropriate emergency equipment orientation
Practice diving with a surface marker buoy and deployment of delayed surface marker buoys.
Effective emergency surface positions to maintain position, diver contact and
warmth.
Course Prerequisites
You must be at least 15 years old. Due to our location and sites used we cannot currently enrol anyone under this age onto most of our courses. Please speak to us about alternative options for younger divers.
Course prerequisites: PADI Open Water Diver (or higher) or equivalent from another recognised agency (please speak to us before booking)
Equipment & Extra Cost
By this stage you should have your own dive gear. Only hire weights and cylinders are included in the course cost. If you need to borrow other equipment we charge £15 per person/per course for complete kit hire.
Any specialist equipment used will be provided as part of the course.
A portion of your course fee will be donated to the RNLI - the exact amount will be confirmed on your course.
We offer discount on TUSA, Waterproof, TovaTec and Beaver Sports gear and equipment. We can have this ready for you ahead of your course. Chat to us before hand to discover what we have in stock or to order in your preferred colour!
After the course...
If you haven't already done your PADI Advanced Open Water or PADI Rescue Diver course then now is a perfect time to sign up.
Beyond these core courses you may also be interested in signing up to one of the following specialities:
Delayed Surface Marker Buoy - we'll really develop your skills with this essential bit of safety kit especially in midwater environments. This skill is a must for UK diving.
Dry Suit - if you've not done this already then get your PADI Drysuit Diver speciality booked. Not only does it keep you warm on a dive but it really does mean life or death in rescue situations in cold water.
Medical Requirements
Scuba diving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Certain health conditions, medications and/or recent surgery may require you to get written approval from a doctor before diving.
Avoid disappointment, download and review the Diver Medical form to ensure you won’t need a doctor’s approval to dive before enrolling in a scuba course. You can find this on the About page of our website under 'key info'. Only medical professionals can give clearance to dive. In the case of the UK this is a specialist area and you may need to speak to a HSE Approved Medical Examiners of Divers (AMEDs)
If you (or your doctor) have questions about medical fitness to dive, contact the experts at Divers Alert Network (DAN) or a HSE AMED.