SDI Scubility Dive Buddy
Develop the knowledge, awareness, and practical in-water support skills required to safely assist adaptive divers during recreational scuba diving activities
Duration
2 days, 4 dives
Max Depth
18 metres / 60 feet
Level
Adaptive Diving Support Programme
Next Step
Adaptive diving volunteer
Overview
The SDI Scubility Dive Buddy programme develops the practical in-water support skills and adaptive diving awareness required to safely assist physically disabled divers during recreational scuba activities.
This programme focuses on:
- adaptive diver assistance,
- underwater support procedures,
- communication techniques,
- equipment adaptation,
- and team-based diving operations.
Training emphasises:
- diver safety,
- accessibility,
- situational awareness,
- and effective buddy-support procedures both at the surface and underwater.
At N9BO℠, candidates train alongside instructors experienced in adaptive diver development and inclusive scuba education. The programme builds the confidence, awareness, and practical capability required to become a competent adaptive diving buddy capable of supporting real-world adaptive diving operations.
Course Facts
- Course name: SDI Scubility Dive Buddy
- Level: Adaptive Diving Support Programme
- Minimum prerequisites: Minimum age 18, SDI Rescue Diver (or equivalent), CPR + First Aid OR SDI Advanced Adventure Diver (or equivalent), Minimum 40 logged dives
- Ratio: Maximum of 8 students per instructor (small groups recommended for quality training)
- Configuration: Students use standard recreational scuba equipment plus adaptive diving support equipment as appropriate, including buoyancy-control systems, communication aids, adaptive harness systems, and diver-assistance equipment where required
- Depth / environment: 18 metres / 60 feet, Swimming pools, Confined-water environments, Open water recreational dive sites, Adaptive diving environments
- Format: Academic development + adaptive diving workshops + confined water assistance training + open water support dives
- Duration: Minimum 2 days, Minimum 2 confined-water sessions + 2 open water dives
What You’ll Learn
- Assist adaptive divers during recreational scuba activities
- Support entries, exits, underwater mobility, and diver positioning procedures
- Apply adaptive diving communication and buddy-support techniques
- Improve situational awareness, accessibility understanding, and diver assistance capability
- Develop practical adaptive-diving support skills for real-world diving environments
Prerequisites
- Be at least 18 years old.
- SDI Open Water Scuba Diver (or equivalent)
- Be medically fit for training activities.
FAQ
A Scubility Dive Buddy is trained to:
- safely assist adaptive divers,
- provide in-water support,
- and help facilitate recreational scuba-diving activities within adaptive-diving environments.
A Surface Buddy primarily assists:
- before,
- during surface operations,
- and after the dive.
A Dive Buddy is trained to:
- actively assist adaptive divers underwater,
- provide in-water support,
- and participate directly in adaptive diving activities.
Yes.
The programme is valuable for:
- instructors,
- divemasters,
- dive centre staff,
- volunteers,
- and certified recreational divers wishing to support adaptive diving activities.
Yes.
Training includes:
- diver-assistance communication,
- adaptive support procedures,
- team coordination,
- and accessibility-focused diving practices.
Many candidates continue into:
- SDI Scubility Instructor Upgrade,
- adaptive-diving leadership programmes,
- volunteer adaptive-diving teams,
- or professional adaptive-diving instructional pathways.
Ready to Become an Adaptive Diving Buddy?
Whether you want to support adaptive divers, expand your diving awareness, or contribute to more inclusive diving environments, our team will help you develop the practical skills and confidence required to safely assist adaptive divers underwater.
Go Pro with SDI Scubility Instructor
Expand your capability through SDI Scubility development programmes delivered by experienced adaptive-diving professionals at N9BO℠. Build the knowledge, awareness, and practical support skills required to contribute effectively to inclusive diving operations and adaptive diving teams.
