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Courses in Tasmania
Underwater Navigation Diver
Course code: SDI-13
Navigate with purpose, return with confidence, and make every dive plan more reliable. This course develops the practical awareness and repeatable techniques needed to navigate naturally and with a compass, maintain orientation, and interpret environmental cues such as depth contours, bottom composition, light, surge, current, and distinctive underwater features. You will learn to estimate distance using kick cycles and elapsed time, then apply those measurements to accurate out-and-back routes and square and triangle navigation patterns. Throughout the training, emphasis is placed on dependable buddy contact, clear communication, thoughtful dive planning, and translating navigation theory into calm, efficient decisions underwater. Practical exercises are framed for Tasmanian conditions, where variable visibility, kelp, rocky reef structure, changing light, cooler water, surge, and local currents reward disciplined preparation and precise situational awareness.
Standards verification note: Standards verification note: Verified against the current 2026 SDI Standards and Procedures, Part 3, Section 27 — Underwater Navigation Diver, and the official SDI course page. The course requires two open-water dives with complete briefs and debriefs; dive plans include and logs record the surface interval and maximum no-decompression time. The open-water ratio is 8:1, plus two students with one active Assistant Instructor or Divemaster, to a maximum of 12 with two; if any student is under 15, the maximum is four divers, with no more than two under 15. Prerequisites are SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, Junior Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent. Minimum age is 18, or 10 with parental consent; ages 10–14 participate with a parent, guardian, or active dive professional. Required materials are the SDI Night and Navigation Student Manual and I.Q. Review, or eLearning. Required performance includes equipment setup, dive planning, predive checks, orientation, surface compass out-and-back, square, and triangle patterns, bottom square and triangle patterns, buddy contact, equipment disassembly, dive logging, an 80 percent academic pass with 100 percent remediation, safe completion, and mature judgment.
Quick Course Overview
• Certification scope
Navigate without direct instructor supervision in activities, areas and conditions similar to training.
• Required training
Two open-water dives with complete briefings/debriefings and logged dive plans.
• Core focus
Aquatic environment, natural navigation, analog/digital compass use, distance estimation, out-and-back, square and triangle patterns, surface triangulation, buddy contact.
• Maximum ratio
8:1, +2 with one active Assistant Instructor/Divemaster, maximum 12 with two, reduced as conditions dictate.
• Junior ratio
If any student under 15, maximum 4, no more than two under 15.
• Progression
Counts as one specialty toward SDI Advanced Diver Development.
Training Options
Standard small-group training
Standard small-group training is available once the course reaches the minimum number.
Standard Cost*
$440 AUD
Note* *Standard training requires a minimum of 4 (Four) participants. Date options will be provided once the course is filled.
Premium one-on-one training
One-on-one training is available for divers who want focused coaching, flexible pacing, and dedicated support.
Private 1 on 1 Cost
$1,400 AUD
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Prerequisites
Certification
SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent.
Minimum Age
Minimum age 18, or 10 with parental consent.
Course Format
Learning Materials
SDI Night and Navigation student materials or eLearning where available.
Dive Requirements
Two open-water dives are required with complete instructor briefings and debriefings.
Dive Planning
Dive plans include surface interval, maximum no-decompression time, navigation objectives, and logging.
Student Ratios
Maximum open-water ratio is 8 students per instructor, with assistants permitted where standards and conditions allow.
Skills Covered
Skills include surface and underwater out-and-back navigation, square and triangle patterns, and locating a fixed object by surface triangulation.
What You Will Learn
Natural Navigation
How to use natural navigation cues such as bottom contours, depth, light, current, surge, and underwater features.
Compass Navigation
How to use a compass for out-and-back, square, triangle, and simple route-planning exercises.
Distance Estimation
How to estimate underwater distance using kick cycles, time, and environmental references.
What's Included
- SDI Underwater Navigation eLearning or academic instruction where available.
- Professional instruction and knowledge development.
- Two open-water training dives focused on compass use, natural navigation, distance estimation, route planning, and navigation confidence.
- Use of required training equipment as confirmed at booking, including tanks, air fills, weights, standard scuba equipment, and navigation tools where included.
- Certification processing after successful completion.
What's Not Included
- Personal equipment such as fins, mask, snorkel, boots, and exposure protection. Hire equipment and specialised sales support are available.
- A personal compass and slate if you prefer to train on your own navigation tools.
- Travel, accommodation, boat fees, and meals unless specifically included.
- Hard copy student manual. Manuals are available to purchase.
- Anything not specifically listed at the time of booking.
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