Abbreviation | SDI |
---|---|
Formation | 1999[1] | ,
Headquarters | Jensen Beach, Florida, ![]() |
Region served | Worldwide |
Affiliations | Technical Diving International (TDI), Emergency Response Diving International (ERDI) |
Website | http://www.tdisdi.com |
Scuba Diving International (SDI) is a SCUBA training and certification agency. It is the recreational arm of Technical Diving International, the world’s largest technical diver training organization.[2]
SDI is a member of The World Recreational Scuba Training Council.[3]
SDI History
SCUBA Diving International, launched in 1999, is the sister organization of Technical Diving International.[4] Thus, SDI was created by dive professionals from the technical diving field. This gives the organization a perspective that other recreational diving certification agencies don’t have, which is teaching recreational diving through the lens of experienced technical diving.[5]
SDI’s philosophy is to take recreational scuba diving to new levels, enhancing older – maybe even outdated - diving practices by incorporating new diving technology and emphasizing safety.[5] The curriculum is set up to take divers from the beginner level to instructor level and structures its courses around a logged dive and specialty course approach.[6] Divers who progress through SDI’s recreational diving courses are then in a position to advance to technical diving with the courses offered by Technical Diving International.[5]
Courses
Experience the Underwater World
Scuba diving is a dangerous undertaking for those who do not have the proper training. All beginners should start with basic training before going out on dives, no matter how safe they may have been deemed by others. Not only does diving require a considerable amount of physical fitness, there is a certain amount of mental preparedness that must take place before one begins diving.[7] That being said, a variety of beginner diving courses are available for students who are eager to learn.
Classes will start in a classroom environment. Here, students will learn about the theories and techniques behind scuba diving, as well as the gear and equipment involved, which includes diving masks, weights and weight belts, power whistles, dive watches, snorkels, exposure suites, dive computers and more.[7]
When the theory has been mastered, students will move on to practical learning in a pool or other confined water environment. This technique allows divers to gain hands-on learning experience in a safe, controlled environment. Only once the diver is cleared by a dive master will he be able to move on to the open water.[7]
SDI has a number of beginner courses available, including:
- Future Buddies Program (Children 8-9)
- Scuba Discover
- Learn to Snorkel
- Open Water Scuba Diver certification course
Expand Your Diving Skills
Once recreational divers become certified for open water diving, they often further their training in dive gear, advanced diving techniques, more complex dive situations, or diving for purposes other than recreation.
Dive Gear
As novice divers gain experience and become intermediate divers, they will often seek training in gear that may have previously been handled by the dive master. For example, they may learn about dive computers, which provide an alternative to decompression tables, calculating depth and time of the diver while diving.[8] Also, those who wish to dive in colder waters require dry suits, but to use a dry suit properly, divers should enroll in a specialty course.[9]
SDI offers specialty courses for dive gear, including:
- Computer Diver
- Computer Nitrox Diver
- Diver Propulsion Vehicle
- Dry Suit Diver
- Equipment Specialist
- Full Face Mask Diver Specialty
Dive Techniques
More experienced divers frequently move on to more advanced techniques. For example, altitude diving, which includes dives at elevations of 1,000 feet or higher.[10] They may also consider sidemount diving, which involves separating the twin dive cylinders and placing one on either side of the diver’s body, rather than having both of them on the back.[11] This technique can alleviate pain while allowing divers to conserve air.
Finally, divers love documenting the beauty they observe under the sea to share with others. Thus, they seek out courses on underwater photography and videography. Novices often choose to enroll in courses to learn about the proper equipment, lighting and techniques to capture stunning images and footage.[12]
Dive Technique classes offered by SDI:
- Advanced Buoyancy
- Sidemount Diving
- Altitude Diver
Complex Dive Situations
Though scuba diving is thrilling on its own, more experienced divers opt to tackle more challenging dive situations such as night diving, ice diving, and wreck diving, among others. Diving at night can allow the diver to experience an underwater world that he would not see during the day, but this comes with an added danger that requires special preparation.[13] Ice diving is a rewarding experience, but is an extreme diving situation, not only due to the freezing temperatures, but to the closed environment imposed by the ice, allowing limited entry and exit points.[14] Therefore, those wishing to experience ice diving must have special training for these difficult conditions. Wreck diving includes dives to sites that feature the obvious boat, ship and submarine wrecks, but can also include airplane and automobile wrecks as well.[15] Wreck diving involves more risk than traditional reef diving, and thus requires special training.[15]
Courses for complex diving situations offered by SDI include:
- Shore/Beach Diver
- Boat Diver
- Advanced Adventure Diver
- Drift Diver
- Night –Limited Visibility Diver
- Ice Diver
- Deep Diver
- Wreck Diver
Scientific Diving Courses
As divers advance, their interest in diving surpasses basic diving techniques. Luckily, divers have a wealth of options with scientific courses.
First, divers may opt to become administrators. Dive administrators are responsible for assisting and coordinating divers and instructors, as well as the purchase and coordination of necessary dive equipment. Training is often necessary for this leadership position.
Applications of research diving can range from underwater archaeology to marine biology.[16] Dive researchers require special training for the proper documentation of findings and collection of samples, as well as for other research techniques.[17]
Non-Recreational Dive Courses offered by SDI:
- CPROX Administrator Course
- CPR1st Administrator Course
- Marine Ecosystems Awareness
- Research Diver
- Search & Recovery Diver
- Underwater Hunter & Collector
Educate Future Divers
As divers’ scuba careers advance, many wish to educate others by becoming diving instructors. For divers to qualify, they first must have proof of having passed both introductory diving courses as well as more advanced open water courses. Divers will also be subject to both written and practical exams. Finally, additional courses from qualified dive schools are necessary to attain the proper credentials.
Dive Instructor Courses Offered by SDI:
- Divemaster Course
- Assistant Instructor Course
- Instructor Course
- Specialty Instructor
- IT Staff Instructor Qualifications
- Instructor Trainer Qualifications
Affiliations
SCUBA Diving International is the sister company of Technical Diving International, which focuses on the technical side of recreational diving, as well as Emergency Response Diving International, the company's public safety diving branch.[18]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.tdisdi.com/wpsite/sdi/who-is-sdi/who-is-sdi/
- ^ "Learn About SDI". Scuba Diving International. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
- ^ "United States Agencies". World Recreational Scuba Training Council. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ "Technical Diving International (TDI)/Scuba Diving International (SDI)". Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ a b c "PADI versus SDI: Differences, Benefits and Drawbacks". Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ "Technical Divers International/Scuba Divers International". Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ a b c "Scuba Diving for Beginners". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Best Dive Computer". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Dry Suits". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Altitude Diving: Understanding the Tables". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "About Sidemount Diving". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Underwater Photography for Beginners". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "What is Night Diving?". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "The Ice Divers: Pushing the Limits of Human Endurance". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ a b "What is Wreck Diving?". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Research Diving". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Benefits of scientific scuba diving explained by WHOI". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Scuba Diving Certification Agencies Worldwide". Retrieved 24 July 2012.
External links
- Scuba Diving International Official website