Course Overview

The purpose of the Self-Reliant Diver specialty course is to recognise and accept the role of the buddy system and its contributions to diver safety while identifying and developing self-reliance and independence while diving. There are two reasons for an experienced diver to take the Self-Reliant diver course: 
  • To develop the skills of planning and carrying out dives without a partner when preferred or necessary.
  • To sharpen skills of diving self-reliance, making the diver a stronger partner in a dive pair or team.

This course covers when diving alone may be applicable, and the need to compensate for those situations, including dive planning, life support system readiness, adaptive training, equipment and responsibility

Being an introduction to Self-Reliant diving, this course helps students develop the skills, knowledge and techniques necessary to rely on yourself first, whether or not you are diving with a buddy, including the
  • appreciation of the value and application of the buddy system.
  • philosophy of, and motivation for, diving without a partner.
  • potential risks of diving alone and how to manage those risks.
  • value of equipment redundancy and what back-up equipment is needed.
  • dive planning and gas management.​

What do I need to start?

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent)
Aged 18 or over
A minimum of 100 logged dives 
Successfully complete a skills assessment with one of our dive professionals before the commencement of the course

Equipment Required for the course

As this is a self reliant course it is anticipated that you will already have the relevant dive equipment and good quality diving and buoyancy skills using the relevant equipment - we do recommend that use your own equipment for this course.  ​
Dive Equipment as below including redundant dive computer, Dsmb and redundant signalling device
  1. Standard Scuba equipment with redundant gas source, i.e. a pony cylinder.
  2. Back mounted twin-set with isolator manifold of sufficient capacity.
  3. Two side mounted, independent cylinders (sidemount configuration).
Twin sets and sidemount configurations can be hired to suitably qualified/experienced divers.  Nitrox may be used in both stages and back gas at additional cost.

What will I do?

On top of the good quality diving skills (planning a dive, working our SAC rates, good entry to the water, buoyancy checks, descents and ascents), you will demonstrate how to perform a self-reliant buddy check / deploy a Dsmb / swim underwater without a mask / simulate a self-reliant air switch and undertake navigation exercises

The big thing you will learn is how to be self-reliant and stay safe whilst being so.

How long will it take?

The course includes
1/2 day Classroom knowledge development
skills assessment before commencement of the 1st open water dive
3 Open Water dives.  

Whats next?

Go solo diving and experience it for real.  Being self-reliant is something every professional is at some point in their career, so why not join our ranks

Our Self Reliant Price


£225.00​

Any other costs

Not included is the Entrance fees for open water site and personal travel costs
Dive Rutland is a 100% AWARE Partner, which means we make a donation on your behalf to Project Aware and you get a Project AWARE e-certification card which is available via the PADI app