Search & Recovery Diver
All-Inclusive option available: $720.00
Availability: Contact us for booking information
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?
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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).
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Master Navigation: This course pushes your compass skills to the limit, teaching you advanced patterns that go far beyond basic straight lines.
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Handle Heavy Loads: Learn the physics of lifting heavy objects underwater without endangering yourself or rocketing to the surface.
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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.
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Search Patterns: Master the expanding square, U-pattern, and jackstay search techniques to cover an area efficiently without missing a spot.
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Lift Bag Operations: How to rig, inflate, and control a lift bag to raise heavy objects safely.
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Knot Tying: Learn the essential underwater knots (bowline, two half-hitches, sheet bend) that won't slip when you need them most.
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Team Communication: How to coordinate a search with your buddy in limited visibility.
Course Pricing & What's Included
Choose the course option that works best for you. Our All-Inclusive price combines the course, rental equipment, tanks, and required specialty equipment into one convenient package.
Base Course
The Base Course Price includes:
- SSI eLearning and required course materials
- Professional instructor instruction and training
- Required dive site entry fees
All-Inclusive Course
Includes everything in the Base Course, plus:
- BCD rental
- Regulator with gauges rental
- Dive computer rental
- Wetsuit rental
- Cylinders/tanks required to complete the course
- Required specialty equipment
Required Search & Recovery Equipment
Required specialty equipment includes:
- Lift bag with minimum 50 lb capacity
- Primary reel
- Search grid slates
- Rigging lines and carabiners
- Weighted marker buoy
Students may provide their own equipment or use rental equipment where applicable.
Equipment Options
Our published All-Inclusive Course Price is based on a standard mid-range equipment package for required student equipment.
Students may choose lower-priced or higher-priced equipment when permitted for the course.
- Choosing lower-priced equipment may decrease your final course cost.
- Choosing higher-priced equipment may increase your final course cost.
- Your final customer price will reflect the equipment selections actually made.
The required equipment category is determined by the course, but the specific brand, model, and price may vary based on the student's selection.
VA Students
VA students and non-VA students are charged the same published course prices. Space Coast Dive does not create a separate VA price, VA discount, VA surcharge, or VA-only equipment package.
The published All-Inclusive Course Price represents our standard course package and is available at the same price to all students.
VA payment or reimbursement is determined under the applicable VA education benefit rules and the student's individual eligibility.
Space Coast Dive does not guarantee that optional equipment upgrades or additional costs above the standard package will be reimbursed by the VA. Students using VA education benefits should confirm with their VA education benefits representative or applicable certifying official how their individual benefit applies to the approved course and its eligible charges.
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.