Upcoming date
Dec 1, 2026
- 01December 1, 2026
All Drysuit Diver options
Intermediate · Specialty course
Dry Suit Diver
Dry suit diving opens the door to colder-water environments and longer diving seasons. This course teaches you how to properly use a dry suit while developing the buoyancy, weighting, and emergency skills needed to dive comfortably and confidently.
Dec 1, 2026 Local dive site 1 session
Stay Warm. Extend Your Diving Season.
Dry suit diving opens the door to colder-water environments and longer diving seasons. This course teaches you how to properly use a dry suit while developing the buoyancy, weighting, and emergency skills needed to dive comfortably and confidently.
Training is scheduled with your Instructor. The dates shown during registration are used for scheduling and place-holding purposes only. After registration, your Instructor will work with you to arrange the classroom review and open-water training.
Course Information
What You'll Learn
Dry suit diving involves equipment and buoyancy considerations that are different from diving in a wetsuit. This course develops the knowledge needed to understand the equipment and use it properly.
- Different types and styles of dry suits
- Dry suit seals, valves, and other components
- Insulation and undergarment considerations
- Proper weighting and buoyancy control
- Inflation and exhaust-valve operation
- Dry suit emergency procedures
- Cleaning, care, and maintenance
- Basic dry suit problem prevention
Skills You'll Practice
Open-water training gives you the opportunity to apply dry suit concepts and develop practical control of the suit in the water.
- Properly donning and preparing a dry suit
- Performing an appropriate buoyancy check
- Inflating and venting the suit
- Maintaining stable buoyancy and trim
- Hovering and controlled underwater movement
- Recovering from an inverted position
- Responding to simulated dry suit problems
- Controlled ascents and safety stops
How the Course Works
Training begins with eLearning followed by an Instructor-led review and open-water training.
Once you register, you may begin the eLearning immediately. Your Instructor will then coordinate the remaining training sessions with you.
Equipment and Materials
The course price includes eLearning, classroom review, open-water training, and tanks.
Required dive equipment and dry suit rental are additional if you do not already have appropriate equipment.
Both registration options include the required eLearning. Selecting Class + Materials adds a hard-copy training book and plastic certification card.
Schedule
Available dates
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to own a dry suit?
No. You may use an appropriate rental dry suit for training. Rental equipment is separate from the course price.
Why learn to dive in a dry suit?
A dry suit can allow you to remain warmer in colder water and comfortably dive in environments or seasons where a wetsuit may not provide enough thermal protection.
Is the date I select my actual training date?
No. The listed date is used for scheduling and place-holding purposes. Your Instructor will contact you after registration to coordinate the classroom review and open-water training.
Does this course count toward SDI Advanced Diver?
Yes. Dry Suit Diver is an SDI specialty and may count toward applicable SDI advanced diver development programs.