SDI Scubility Dive Buddy

SDI Scubility Dive Buddy Program

The SDI Scubility Dive Buddy Program is designed to develop the knowledge and necessary skills for an individual to effectively perform as a dive buddy for a physically disabled diver. The practical skills developed are the same as for the SDI Scubility Instructor, making the dive buddy course an important step in the development process.

Who this course is for:

Certified divers looking to assist disabled divers enjoy the underwater world and SDI Instructors wishing to become an SDI Scubility Instructor

Course prerequisites:

Minimum age 18, 16 with parental consent
Provide proof of:
- Current CPR and first aid certification
- Rescue diver certification

OR

Advanced Diver certification with 40 logged open water dives

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Scubility Dive Buddy Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

Background information
- Instructor awareness
- Public acceptance
- Lifestyle and personality
- Social integration
Common medical conditions and disabilities
- Amputations
- Asthma
- Cerebral palsy
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Hearing disorders
- Muscular dystrophy
- Motor neurone
- Multiple sclerosis
- Sight impairment
- Spinal injuries
Diving environment
- Confined water
- Open water
Accessibility
- Access to confined water
- Access to open water
- Liability and related legal considerations

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

Sight impaired diver; show proficiency at giving and receiving tactile signals
Complete 2 open water dives as a dive buddy, 1 sight impaired, 1 paraplegic
Complete 2 open water dives as a student, 1 sight impaired and 1 paraplegic
Complete 1 confined water training session with sight impaired diver (real or simulated)
Equipment assembly / disassembly and adjustment
Weight system assembly / adjustment with proper weighting
Suiting up and de-suiting
Pre-dive check of self and buddy
Use of mask, fins and snorkel
Entries; assistance with controlled seated, back roll, giant stride entries
Equipment; suiting up of diver in the water
Equipment; removal of divers equipment in the water
Exits; assistance with shallow water and deep water exits SDI Instructor Manual
Tired diver tows
Communication; show good communication / understanding skills on surface and at depth
Dive planning; use of tables and PDC, logging of dives
Demonstrate sound judgment in dive site suitability planning
Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive emergency planning and execution
Complete all open water requirements safely and efficiently
Complete a panicked diver rescue drill (surface)
Complete a distressed diver rescue drill (at depth)
Be seen to be having fun during the course

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are able to conduct dives with physically disabled divers
Upon successful completion on this course, SDI Assistant Instructors are able to functions as a Scubility Assistant
SDI Open Water Scuba Diving Instructors are eligible to enroll in the upgrade course to become a Scubility Instructor