Drift diving can be relaxing and exhilarating. The course teaches you how to enjoy going with the flow as you use ocean currents to glide along. It feels like flying - except that you're underwater using scuba equipment. If this sound like fun, then the PADI Drift Diver Specialty is for you.
The PADI Drift Diver Specialty is taken in conjunction with our dive trips programme.
Minimum age: 12 years
Course prerequisites: PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver
What will I do?
You will have one and a half days of intense drift diver training to complete. As with most of our PADI Specialty programmes, you will start with some self-study using the PADI Drift Diver materials. With your PADI Instructor, you will then review the key drift diving techniques and procedures explained in your manual.
You will then put into practice what you learn in a combination of skills during two open water training dives.
During your programme you will:
- Be introduced to drift diving equipment such as different floats, lines and reels
- Learn about different ocean currents, their causes and effects
- Practise buoyancy control, navigation, communication and methods for staying close to your buddy as you drift along
How do I get started?
As with all the diving education programmes at Aquasport, you start with the self-study eLearning materials. Once you have paid your course fees you will receive your PADI Drift Diver materials. This PADI Specialty is run in conjunction with some of our diving trips and holidays. Don’t worry if you can’t commit to booking onto one of these straight away, as you can get started on the home study as soon as you have received your eLearning login.
How long will it take?
The PADI Drift Diver Specialty takes place over one and a half days. Starting on an evening, you will review the theory sections from the PADI Drift Diver manual with your instructor. The next day will cover all the practical sessions during two open water training dives.
What will I need?
The PADI Drift Diver Specialty is open to all divers over the age of 12 years who hold the PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.
You will need to fill out a self-certification medical statement. If you have any medical conditions that you think may prevent you from scuba diving, please feel free to contact us and we will try to be of assistance.
Standard scuba equipment may not necessarily be included in the cost of this programme if it is held in conjunction with dive travel. Please contact the centre for clarification.
Where can I go from here?
Once you have completed your PADI Drift Diver Specialty you can take full advantage of the fantastic dives on our UK coastal trips. As most drift dives take place from a boat, maybe the PADI Boat Diver Specialty should be next on your to do list, or perhaps perfect your DSMB skills with the PADI Delayed Surface Marker Buoy Specialty.
Once you have completed five PADI specialties, the PADI Rescue Diver course and have 50 logged dives you hold all the prerequisites for the PADI Master Scuba Diver certification. This is the highest non-professional rating in the PADI system of diver education.
Here at Aquasport all our Instructors hold this level of recreational certification. We recommend that every diver takes this route regardless of their further ambitions as we see it as a commitment to education and a real achievement.
