Search & Recovery Speciality: SSI

SSI Search and Recovery Speciality

Few things are as satisfying as a successful search and recovery mission - especially if it is an expensive computer or camera system that has been lost

Overview of the Search and Recovery Speciality 

When we start diving we learn skills to keep us safe in the water; so we are taught to control our buoyancy, clear a mask and deal with an out of air situation.  As we progress we learn lots of other skills and become skilful divers who can look after others and ourselves, find our way around and generally enjoy ourselves.

Are these the only skills a diver needs? Is there anything that would help the diving day run more smoothly?  Can we make it easier to recover a shoreline, lift a bag of scallops to the surface or locate a dive site or even a boat engine as we did in November 2012?

​Over the years we have recovered many things: - engines / mooring lines / watches and so much more.

The skills needed to do all of these things are covered in the Search and Recovery course.

What do I need to start the SSI Search and Recovery Speciality?

• Minimum age: 12 years old
• Open Water Diver
• Mask / Snorkel / Computer

What Will I do during the SSI Search and Recovery Speciality?

You will gain understanding in how to manage a search, which is an invaluable skill in many situations; from searching for wreckage from the bottom of a shoreline, to locating a computer that was lost over the side of the boat or locating a dive site. During this course you will learn about, setup and undertake various search patterns, learning when you would and would not choose to use each one

​Searches involve groups of divers working together to achieve an aim and this does mean that everyone should understand what is expected from them.  Dry runs allow the team to work out what equipment is required and everyone has had a chance to practise their part of the search and recovery and iron out any difficulties.

Then there is communication, underwater communication can be difficult, special signals might be need to be agreed to allow the search to be successful i.e multiple divers on a line need to know it is them you are talking to.

Then the most important part Recovery

So in simplistic terms after this course you will be able to:

• Plan, organise and follow the correct procedures to complete a Search and recovery dive
• Learn how to deal with potential problems
• Using various search techniques such as circular and Jackstay you will search and locate various size objects
• Learn various recovery methods and practise using a lift bag and other recovery methods
• Learn the appropriate knots and then practise and apply this information during your dry runs and underwater recovery dives
• Learn how to search and recover objects when you have limited visibility
• Legal implications and concerns for lifting objects

What Materials will I use during the Search and Recovery Course?

As part of the course you will be provided with the SSI Search and Recovery Speciality Elearning for you to complete the relevant Knowledge Reviews, which you will review with your Instructor during your practical sessions in open water.

How Long does the SSI Search and Recovery take?

Over and above the pre-read you will attend

• one pool  / confined water session ; and
• one day in Open Water

Any other costs?

Not included is the Entrance fees for open water site and personal travel costs

Whats my next adventure after the Search and Recovery Course?

Over the years we have used the skills gained on this course for real life application and as a search and recovery diver when we have activities requiring these skills you will be welcome to join any of our recovery operations.