PADI Public Safety Diver™
Operate in zero-visibility environments, conduct search and recovery, and execute missions with discipline and control
Duration
3–4 days, 4 dives
Max Depth
12m / 40ft
Level
Operational Speciality
Next Step
PADI Adv Public Safety Diver
Overview
The PADI Public Safety Diver™ course is designed to build a foundation in basic public safety diving, introducing divers to the procedures, equipment, scene handling, communication methods, search techniques, rescue techniques, and documentation requirements used in public safety operations.
This course is not a full-spectrum rescue and recovery programme. It does not cover advanced recovery techniques or all public safety environments, such as swift water, contaminated water, overhead environments, ice, or deep-water operations. Instead, it establishes the operational baseline needed for divers to continue safely into further public safety training.
At N9BO℠, this course is positioned as foundational operational training — where divers move beyond recreational thinking and begin working within mission structure, team procedures, and real-world public safety discipline.
Course Facts
- Course name: PADI Public Safety Diver™
- Level: Operational diving speciality
- Minimum prerequisites: Minimum age 18, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver or concurrent enrollment in Rescue Diver (current EFR Primary and Secondary Care is required for the associated Surface Support Specialist component)
- Ratio: Maximum 8 students per instructor (small groups recommended for quality training)
- Configuration: Public safety diving configuration including two scuba cylinders, two cutting devices, visual and audible surface signalling devices, rescue breathing mask, personal flotation device (PFD), and access to oxygen, first aid, and communications equipment
- Depth / environment: Maximum 12m / 40ft
- Format: Knowledge development + optional confined water or surface practice + 4 open water dives with stations and scenarios completed in sequence
- Duration: 3–4 days with 4 open water dives, recommended 30 hours
What You’ll Learn
- Use basic public safety diving procedures and equipment.
- Work within a team structure during operational scenarios.
- Apply scene handling and communication procedures.
- Build readiness for low-visibility, task-focused diving.
- Develop the foundation required for continued public safety diver training.
Prerequisites
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent).
- Hold Rescue Diver certification, or be enrolled concurrently.
- Meet the training requirements associated with the public safety team structure and support role components as applicable.
- Be medically fit for diving.
FAQ
This course is for divers who want to begin training in basic public safety diving and develop the procedural foundation needed to participate in controlled public safety missions.
It covers the use of special procedures, equipment, scene handling, communication, basic public safety diving search and rescue techniques, and documentation requirements.
It does not cover all public safety environments or advanced recovery operations. This includes areas such as swift water, current, contaminated water, overhead environments, ice, deep water, body recovery, vehicle recovery, and advanced evidence recovery. Those require additional training and experience.
You will complete 4 open water dives over at least 2 days. Additional dives may be added if needed to meet performance requirements.
You will have the foundation to participate in basic public safety diving, within conditions equal to or better than those in which you were trained, and continue into higher-level public safety programmes such as PADI Advanced Public Safety Diver.
Ready to Build Your Public Safety Diving Foundation?
Send us your certifications and background. We’ll help you enter public safety diving with the structure, discipline, and readiness this environment demands.
Go Pro with PADI Public Safety Diver™ Instructor
Build on your public safety diver foundation and progress into more advanced mission profiles, operational complexity, and team-based response capabilities.
