Search and Recovery

Search and Recovery

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Oh no!! I just lost my sunglasses!!

Have you ever dropped something in the water? Are you looking for lost ‘treasure’?

The PADI Search & Recovery Diver Specialty course will teach you effective ways to find objects underwater and bring them to the surface. Small, large or just awkward, there is a way to bring them up.

If you lose your car keys in your house there are a couple of different techniques we use to locate them. Think when was the last time we used them, then try to back track through your minds eye, turn the house upside down, look in the car door or ignition, it can be frustrating.

Whenever we try to find things underwater, there are a couple of techniques we use, different types of search patterns depending on the underwater terrain. Once we have located the object then we need to decide how to safely get it to the surface and keep it there until we can get the boat to it, this involves good planning.

If it is sunglasses or car keys we can just pick them up, if it is an outboard motor then we will need a lifting device (lift bag), anything larger than a small outboard motor is beyond the scope of this course.

PADI Search & Recovery specialty course goals

The planning, organization, procedures, problems and hazards of search and recovery diving

Limited visibility diving and underwater navigation techniques

Proper techniques and safety considerations for object location, including the use of various search patterns, lines and reels

Proper techniques and safety considerations for recovery of objects using various lifting devices

What’s included in the PADI Search & Recovery specialty course

PADI Search & Recovery Specialty Manual
PADI Search & Recovery Specialty Chevron (badge)
Gold PADI Search & Recovery Certification Card
PADI Search & Recovery Specialty Certificate of Recognition

Two days on a boat to complete the four (4) dives

Classroom time to check the knowledge review in your manual and watch the PADI Search & Recovery DVD

A pool session to practice the techniques of Search & Recovery and review your general diving skills

Who can become a PADI Search & Recovery specialty diver?

Junior Advanced Open water Diver – 12-14 years old – Certified Adult maximum depth 21m
Advanced Open water Diver – 15 years up – Maximum depth 30m

Uncover Sunken treasure in your PADI Search and Recovery course

Diver uncovers a treasure amphora


What you need

Mask, Fins and Snorkel
Exposure Suit and Accessories (hood)
Weight System (weight belt/integrated weight with quick release)
Tanks (4 dives)
Regulator with SPG (submersible pressure gauge)
Alternate Air Source
BCD with low pressure inflator
Instrumentation with a means to monitor depth, time and direction
Recreational Dive Planner (RDP) or eRDPML
Diving Tool/Knife capable of cutting line
Slate and pencil
Whistle or surface signaling device
Dive Bag
Log Book

On a tight budget or schedule ?

Complete your PADI Search & Recovery Diver Specialty Course on a dive by dive schedule, you could complete one dive a week for four weeks, or one dive a month for four months depending on your budget/schedule. For details on this option please speak to the Whitsunday Diving Academy team.

Questions and Schedule

For the classroom and pool you will need to bring your completed PADI Search & Recovery Diver Specialty Manual and knowledge review, swimmers, towel and dive equipment.

For the boat trip you will need lunch, water bottle, swimmers, towel, hat, sun block and dive equipment.

Any questions about the PADI Search & Recovery Diver Specialty Course or the schedule, please speak to the Whitsunday Diving Academy Team.

Did You Just Want To Try Scuba Diving?

We understand that if your just starting out, or have never scuba dived before, it might be a bit daunting spending an entire day on a dive boat to go scuba diving in the Whitsundays or Great Barrier Reef, so we have some special options for beginners, non divers and people interested in trying scuba for the first time. If you are staying in the area just drop in, or email us to talk about booking a Discover Scuba Dive or Scuba Diving Whitsundays Day Trip.

Discover Scuba Diving

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What Our Customers Say About Us

Whitsundays Diving Academy is the only choice for sailing & scuba diving day trips in the Jubilee Pocket & Airlie Beach area's. Let us show you the amazing hidden world that is, scuba diving in the Whitsundays & Australia's Great Barrier Reef !!


" Ian, Wayne and their team are the friendliest and most organised crew I've dived with in 25 years. They are very professional and safety is paramount to their operation. All of your needs will be met regardless of your diving experience ... "

- AlanVicci

" Had been a while since my last dive and I am a novice diver. Wayne, Ian and the team were great they made me feel totally safe so I could relax into the dive and really enjoy it. Thoroughly enjoyed my day with them and will return ... "

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" This is an absolutely first rate team who provide PADI lessons and a wonderful experience. Waded through the reviews of Dive Academy in Airlie and Greg Nadine and Wayne provided the best responses and they lived up to expectations ... "

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