Deep diving course: safely to 40 metres
The Deep Diver course is for divers who already dive in open water and want to go safely below 18 metres, down to 40 metres, the limit of recreational diving. At depth you use your air faster, your no-decompression time gets shorter and nitrogen narcosis can affect your decisions. On this course you learn to foresee and manage all of this.
When you finish you receive an international PADI or SDI Deep Diver certificate that lets you dive to 40 metres.
What you learn
- Planning a deep dive: depth, time and air supply.
- Recognising nitrogen narcosis and knowing what to do when it appears.
- Using a dive computer and timer, and keeping track of your no-decompression time.
- Controlled descents and ascents, and buoyancy control at depth.
- Staying in contact with your buddy and handling emergencies: running low on air, equipment failure or helping your buddy.
How the course runs
Theory
The physiology of deep diving, risk assessment, using a dive computer and planning your air supply so that it is enough even when something unexpected happens.
Training dives
Open-water dives with your instructor. The depth increases step by step to 40 metres. You practise controlled descents, buoyancy control at depth, monitoring your air and finding your way, and the instructor simulates emergencies underwater so that you learn to respond calmly.
Assessment
A theory test and a practical assessment in which you show that you can plan and carry out a deep dive safely.
What comes next
The nitrox course is useful for deep dives too: enriched air gives you longer no-decompression time. To dive deeper than 40 metres you need technical diving courses.
Frequently asked questions
How deep can I dive after the course?
To 40 metres, the limit of recreational diving. Diving deeper requires technical diving courses.
Which certificate do I need to start?
For the SDI course an Open Water or equivalent certificate is enough; for the PADI course you need Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver. We recommend at least 20 logged dives.
How many dives are in the course?
The SDI Deep Diver course has two dives, PADI Deep Diver has four. The course usually takes two days.
What is nitrogen narcosis?
A state in which the higher pressure of nitrogen at depth affects your thinking. At first it can feel like euphoria or overconfidence, later it can cause numbness and memory problems. It passes when you ascend to a shallower depth. On the course you learn to recognise it.
Do I need my own equipment?
No. Diving equipment is included in the course price.