Better support. Shared adventure.
Learn to dive alongside disabled divers and divers with disabilities using adaptable techniques, clear communication and respectful, individualised buddy support.
Learn to be the buddy your diver needs.
The SSI Classified Dive Buddy program prepares experienced rescue-trained divers to assist a Classified Diver in environments and at depths appropriate to that diver’s training.
The course is not about assuming what somebody can or cannot do. It teaches you to communicate, assess, adapt and provide only the support that has been agreed and is genuinely required.
Four principles behind great buddy support
Adaptive diving is individual. A technique that works well for one diver may be inappropriate for another.
Listen
The diver is the best source of information about their abilities, preferences and normal methods of doing things.
Communicate
Agree on signals, assistance, contact points, positioning and emergency procedures before entering the water.
Adapt
Modify equipment, positioning, propulsion or procedures to suit the diver and the actual environment.
Respect
Support independence, dignity, choice and equal participation throughout the dive experience.
Support is a partnership—not control.
Safe adaptive diving depends on a shared plan. Everyone involved needs to understand the diver’s abilities, classification level, preferred techniques and the limits of the planned environment.
Agree Before Assisting
Ask what assistance is wanted and how it should be provided.
Define Buddy Positions
Establish where each team member will be during normal diving, entries, exits and possible emergencies.
Use Clear Communication
Select signals that every member of the team can send, receive and understand.
Respect Training Limits
Dive only in environments and to depths appropriate to the Classified Diver’s certification and experience.
Practical skills for individualised support
Training covers planning, communication, adaptive techniques, assistance and realistic buddy-team scenarios.
Diver Classification
Understand how a diver’s classification level influences supervision, buddy support and appropriate dive conditions.
Individual Assessment
Identify abilities, preferred techniques, potential challenges and the assistance required for a specific diver.
Adaptive Communication
Establish effective visual, tactile or other agreed signals suited to the diver and the environment.
Entries & Exits
Plan and practise safe techniques for dry land, confined water, boats, shore entries and available access points.
Buoyancy & Propulsion
Assist with positioning, balance, trim and propulsion while preserving the diver’s control and independence.
Problem Management
Adapt established rescue skills to the diver, equipment, environment and agreed buddy-team plan.
Change the technique—not the goal.
Adaptive techniques are selected around the individual. The aim is to provide access and support without removing unnecessary independence.
Equipment Configuration
Adjust positioning, attachment points, weighting or equipment selection to improve comfort, access and control.
Buddy Positioning
Choose positions that allow effective communication and assistance without restricting the diver unnecessarily.
Buoyancy Assistance
Support stable trim and depth control using techniques appropriate to the diver’s abilities and training.
Alternative Propulsion
Explore different movement methods when standard fin propulsion is not practical or appropriate.
Access Planning
Evaluate transport, surfaces, entry points, boat layouts, lifting considerations and available assistance.
Emergency Adaptation
Apply rescue principles while considering the diver’s movement, communication, equipment and established team procedures.
Ask before you act
Ask
Find out whether assistance is wanted.
Discuss
Agree on the preferred method and contact points.
Confirm
Check that the diver and team understand the plan.
Assist
Provide the agreed level of support calmly.
Review
Debrief and improve the plan for the next dive.
Knowledge, confined water and real application
The exact order may be adapted to conditions and student progress. All academic and in-water activities are supervised by an appropriately qualified Classified Diving Instructor.
Digital Learning
Study diver classifications, adaptive techniques, medical considerations, communication, equipment and safety procedures.
Instructor-Led Academic Training
Discuss realistic situations, inclusive planning, individual needs and the responsibilities of a Classified Dive Buddy.
Dry-Land Preparation
Practise planning, equipment preparation, transfers, positioning and entry or exit assistance.
Confined-Water Workshop
Develop adaptive buddy techniques in controlled conditions and demonstrate assistance with relevant Open Water skills.
Training-Dive Applications
Apply communication, positioning, assistance and problem management during supervised in-water scenarios.
Final Assessment & Certification
Complete the required exam and demonstrate the ability to provide appropriate assistance before certification.
Help without taking over
Good Buddy Practice
- Speak directly to the diver
- Ask before touching the diver or their equipment
- Use the diver’s preferred terminology
- Agree on signals and assistance before the dive
- Encourage independent skill performance
- Adapt the site and plan to the individual
- Debrief honestly after the dive
What to Avoid
- Assuming a diagnosis defines ability
- Giving unwanted physical assistance
- Moving mobility equipment without permission
- Speaking only to a companion or instructor
- Changing agreed procedures without communication
- Exceeding the diver’s training limits
- Treating inclusion as reduced safety standards
Your complete training package
Entry requirements
Certification Requirements
- Minimum age of 18 years
- Diver Stress & Rescue certification or recognised equivalent
- Current CPR and first-aid training completed within the previous two years
- Comfortable rescue-level diving skills
- All required SSI paperwork completed
Medical Fitness
Course participants must complete the required diver medical questionnaire. Some medical conditions or medications may require clearance from a doctor before participating in the in-water training.
Check Medical InformationContinue exploring
Classified Dive Buddy FAQs
What is a Classified Dive Buddy?
Why do I need Diver Stress & Rescue first?
Do I need current first-aid training?
Does every disabled diver need physical assistance?
Does the certification make me a Classified Diving Professional?
Can I dive with any Classified Diver after the course?
Ready to become a Classified Dive Buddy?
Contact Ocean Tribe to discuss the program, confirm your prerequisites and arrange your training in Diani Beach.
