Public Safety Diver

Public Safety Diver

A calling that demands extraordinary commitment, skill and courage

If you have the opportunity to work with local authorities and be part of a scuba diving rescue team, or conduct search and recovery dives, and maybe even underwater criminal investigations, this is the course for you. Although public safety diving can be a fun and exciting adventure, it’s serious and requires special training. The PADI Public Safety Diver Specialty course gives you a solid foundation to build upon and teaches you both surface and underwater skills that you may need on the job. You’ll be introduced to the special procedures, equipment, scene handling, communications and documentation requirements for a public safety diving operation. ​ If you are interested in this course, you have come to the right place. Our instructors are active Public Safety Divers locally and practice these skills frequently. The best way to take this challenging class is from instructors that work as Public Safety Divers, not just instructors that just teach it to check a box. We are passionate about what we do and would love to share it with you. This course is challenging, but rewarding. Contact us today to talk with us and see if this course is a good fit for you as well as what additional training/equipment you may need.

Diver with red and black wetsuit holding a pressure gauge underwater next to a blue and yellow object.
Two rescue divers on the edge of a body of water preparing to dive, while a third diver is already underwater, in dry suit gear. In the background, there are colorful kayaks stacked on racks and an emergency vehicle parked nearby on a beach with trees.
Rescue team assisting a diver in a wetsuit at a water's edge.
  • Skills you will learn:


    Search and Recovery Techniques

    Underwater Navigation

    Buoyancy Control

    Equipment Familiarization

    Underwater Communication

    Risk Management

    Emergency Response

    Teamwork and Leadership

    Dive Planning and Management

    Legal and Ethical Considerations

  • Course Requirements:


    Online academics for roughly 4-6 hours

    6 open water dives lasting over 3 – 4 days

  • Cost:

    Please call Larry at Fluvanna Dive Center, 434-981-2454, for cost and gear requirements.

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