Divers are intensely fascinated by navigation… It allows them to make their way back to a special spot discovered on an earlier dive. They use the tricks and techniques of navigation to find an ideal exit point at the end of a dive without the need for an uncomfortable surface swim.
 
Your SDI Underwater Navigation Specialty course will help you overcome the obstacles inherent to finding your way underwater. You will learn how easy and simple navigation can be and how it will help you both above and below the surface.
 
During this course, you will review natural aids such as sand ripples or reef formations, which can accurately predict your route. Tools such as mechanical or digital compasses are a surprising challenge to the novice but we will help you unravel the challenge and teach the practical skills and techniques you’ll need to use them effectively. This course is designed to give students a greater understanding and experience on how to properly navigate underwater using both natural and compass navigation.
 
Who this course is for:
The certified diver looking for a higher sense of direction and orientation while scuba diving
 
Course prerequisites:
SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent
 
What you can expect to learn:
The SDI Underwater Navigation Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:
The aquatic environment
Vision
Light
Sound
Tides
Currents
Waves
Surge
Natural navigation
Bottom contours
Depth
Amount of light
Surge
Currents
Underwater objects
Compass
Types
Analog
Digital
Features
Compass use
Estimating distance underwater
Kick cycles
Time
 
Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:
Equipment set up
Dive planning
Predive checks
Orientation
Navigation
Skills are generally done with more success if practiced on the surface from shore. Using the shore or descent line as a starting/reference point makes keeping track of students easier
Practice compass use on the surface: out and back, in addition to square and triangle patterns
Perform square pattern on the bottom
Perform triangle pattern on the bottom
Buddy contact
Equipment disassembly
Log all dives
 
What’s in it for you?
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:
The diving activities approximate those of training
The areas of activities approximate those of training
Environmental conditions approximate those of training
*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in underwater navigation diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.
 
Also, the SDI Underwater Navigation Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development program.
 
SDI Underwater Navigation Diver minimum requirements:
Satisfactorily complete the SDI Underwater Navigation Diver Knowledge Quests with a passing score of 80%, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor
Complete all open water requirements efficiently
Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution