Adaptive Support Diver

Do you want to learn how to best support a dive buddy who has a physical or mental challenge? The PADI® Adaptive Support Diver course will increase your awareness of divers’ varying abilities, and explores adaptive techniques to apply while diving or freediving with a buddy with a disability.

PADI Open Water Divers or PADI Freedivers who are at least 15 years old and have completed the EFR Primary and Secondary Care course within 24 months are eligible to take the PADI Adaptive Support Diver course. It is also recommended that you complete the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course beforehand so that you have better awareness of trim.

Through knowledge development and two diving workshops – one in confined water and one in open water – you’ll learn useful techniques that will increase your ability to become a better dive partner to a diver with a disability. You’ll gain insight and practical experience as you learn about:

1. Becoming more aware and mindful of individual considerations when diving with people with disabilities.
2. Adaptive techniques that can be applied while diving with buddies with mental and/or physical challenges.

Along with your basic scuba or freedive equipment, your PADI Instructor may suggest additional gear to assist with your buddy’s particular needs.

Visit your local PADI Dive Center or Resort to enroll in the course and schedule the first class session with your PADI Instructor.