Gain the skills and confidence to dive independently with our PADI Self-Reliant Diver course. This specialised training is designed for experienced divers who want to enhance autonomy underwater, equipping you with the knowledge, techniques, and mindset required for safe solo diving. Practical exercises and real-world scenarios prepare you to manage challenges with competence and assurance.
You’ll start with a detailed briefing covering the principles of self-reliant diving, including risk assessment, emergency procedures, and equipment configuration. Instructors will guide you through theoretical knowledge needed to dive safely without a buddy.
Practical sessions focus on solo dive scenarios, emphasising self-rescue, gas management, and underwater navigation. Each dive is structured to build confidence while reinforcing safety practices, ensuring you can operate independently in a variety of diving conditions.
Hands-on experience culminates in full self-reliant dives where you apply all skills learned. These exercises test your ability to problem-solve and manage unexpected situations underwater, preparing you for real-world solo diving adventures with competence and assurance.
Training is based at Littlehampton Marina, providing easy access to controlled open water sites suitable for developing self-reliant skills. Local dive areas offer a variety of depths and conditions, ideal for practising advanced solo diving techniques safely.
Nearby Bognor Regis and Selsey offer additional open water environments, from the shallow, fish-rich Bognor Reef to boat-accessed sites like the Far Mulberry. These sites allow you to apply your skills in diverse conditions, enhancing readiness for independent dives.
You must be at least 18 years old and hold an Advanced Open Water Diver certification with at least 100 logged dives. A basic medical screening is required to ensure fitness for diving, and an assessment by an instructor must be successfully completed prior to course participation.
Comfort and competence in open water conditions are essential. You’ll need to demonstrate proficiency in navigation, buoyancy control, and emergency procedures, ensuring you can safely manage independent dives while maintaining awareness of your surroundings.
The centre is staffed with experienced PADI instructors who specialise in advanced and solo diving techniques. They focus on practical skills development, personalised guidance, and real-world scenario training to ensure you are confident and competent as a self-reliant diver.
With small group sizes, high-quality equipment, and access to a variety of dive sites, the centre provides an ideal environment to refine skills and gain independence underwater. Divers benefit from expert coaching and hands-on experience, making each session both safe and effective.
You’ll receive both theoretical and practical training focused on safe solo diving. Lessons cover risk assessment, emergency procedures, equipment configuration, and dive planning, followed by hands-on exercises in controlled open water dives.
Practical sessions include simulated solo dive scenarios to reinforce self-rescue skills, emergency gas management, and underwater navigation. The course aims to ensure you are competent and confident diving independently in a variety of conditions.
Divers must be at least 18 years old with Advanced Open Water Diver certification and a minimum of 100 logged dives. A basic medical screening and instructor assessment are also required.
This course is suited for experienced divers who want to gain autonomy underwater, improve self-management skills, and explore solo diving safely.
The course consists of three open water dives. Classroom and briefing sessions are scheduled prior to each dive to ensure understanding of self-reliant principles and dive planning.
Each dive session is structured to build skills progressively, allowing you to apply theory in practical scenarios and gain confidence before conducting full self-reliant dives.
You’ll develop the ability to plan and execute independent dives safely, manage emergency gas and self-rescue, navigate underwater confidently, and make effective decisions in unexpected situations.
Other skills include precise buoyancy control, risk management, and the competence to interact safely with marine life while diving solo.
Standard scuba equipment is provided, including buoyancy control device, regulators, mask, fins, and wetsuit if required. Divers are welcome to bring their own gear.
Additional equipment may include redundant air supply or alternative safety devices tailored for solo diving. Instructors will guide setup and use of all self-reliant equipment.
Training is conducted at Littlehampton Marina with access to controlled open water dive sites. Nearby locations include Bognor Reef and Far Mulberry for varied depth and conditions.
These sites provide opportunities to practice advanced skills in both shallow and deeper waters, allowing application of self-reliant techniques in real-world conditions.
About the centre
Littlehampton
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
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Operated by Abyss Scuba School, a partner of adventuro.
Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
From £200
Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
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Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
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Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
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