A course about diving equipment
The Equipment Specialist course is for divers who want to understand how their equipment works and deal with minor problems themselves. A missing O-ring, a torn wetsuit or a broken fin strap should not cost you a dive. The course has no dives: it takes place in the classroom, working with real equipment.
What you learn
- How regulators and alternate air sources, buoyancy compensators, cylinders, weight systems, dive computers and other instruments work.
- The difference between wet and dry suits, what they are made of and how to look after them.
- How to clean, store and transport your equipment so that it lasts longer.
- How to recognise the most common faults and make minor repairs on the spot.
- How to put together a save-a-dive kit of spare parts and tools.
- How to choose equipment that suits you, and what is new in diving gear.
How the course runs
You can start the PADI theory online (PADI eLearning, about 2–4 hours) and do the practical part with the instructor in one day. The instructor may ask you to bring your own basic equipment but will also have other equipment to work with. The SDI course ends with an exam set by the instructor. We agree the date with you.
Who it is for
The course is useful for every diver, especially if you own equipment or plan to buy your own. If equipment interests you more than most, technical diving may be your next step.
Frequently asked questions
Do I dive on this course?
No. The course has no dives: theory and hands-on work with equipment.
Do I need my own equipment?
No. The instructor may ask you to bring your basic equipment to work with, but there will be other equipment on the course too.
Will I learn to repair a regulator?
You learn how a regulator works, how to look after it and how to fix minor problems. More complex repairs are not part of this course.
From what age can I take the course?
From 10. Under 18s can take the SDI course with parental consent.