Find What Was Lost – SSI Search & Recovery

Turn "lost and gone forever" into "found and recovered." Whether it’s a dropped GoPro, a lost dive light, or even an anchor that broke loose, losing gear underwater is stressful. The SSI Search & Recovery specialty gives you the skills to locate lost objects and bring them safely to the surface.

This is one of the most challenging and rewarding specialty courses available. It combines complex navigation, precise buoyancy, and problem-solving skills to turn you into a capable underwater detective.

Why Take a Search & Recovery Course?

• Be the Hero: Recovering a fellow diver’s lost camera or mask is a great way to save the day (and earn a free drink at the bar).

• Master Navigation: This course pushes your compass skills to the limit, teaching you advanced patterns that go far beyond basic straight lines.

• Handle Heavy Loads: Learn the physics of lifting heavy objects underwater without endangering yourself or rocketing to the surface.

• Treasure Hunting: These are the exact skills used by salvors and treasure hunters to locate and recover artifacts.

What You Will Learn

Search and recovery is a mental and physical game. We teach you how to execute a mission from start to finish.

• Search Patterns: Master the expanding square, U-pattern, and jackstay search techniques to cover an area efficiently without missing a spot.

• Lift Bag Operations: How to rig, inflate, and control a lift bag to raise heavy objects safely.

• Knot Tying: Learn the essential underwater knots (bowline, two half-hitches, sheet bend) that won't slip when you need them most.

• Team Communication: How to coordinate a search with your buddy in limited visibility.

Expand Your Range

Ready for professional diving? Search & Recovery is a critical skill set for aspiring Divemasters and is the foundation for Public Safety Diving. It is widely considered one of the most practical certifications for divers who spend a lot of time on the water.