Underwater Search and Recovery

Your exploration journey to the depth starts here

Level 1 - PADI Open Water Course

From 682.50 AED

About the Course

The Search and Recovery Diver program teaches divers how to find and recover objects efficiently and safely in real underwater conditions. In this search and recovery diver course, you will learn how to use underwater search patterns, lines, reels, marker buoys, and lift bags while improving navigation, awareness, and teamwork. This underwater search and recovery training is ideal for divers who want to go beyond sightseeing and develop useful skills for real-world diving situations. As a structured search and recovery specialty course, it gives you practical experience in planning searches, communicating underwater, and recovering objects without damaging the environment or compromising safety.

Course Duration

2-3 days

Max Depth

18 meters

Min Age

12+

Schedule

9AM, 12PM, 3PM (daily)

Your First PADI Certification in 3 Easy Steps

No matter where you are on your dive journey, Nemo has an experience for you

Your First PADI Certification in 3 Easy Steps

No matter where you are on your dive journey, Nemo has an experience for you

Get PADI Certified in Just 3-4 Days

From e-learning to open water. A streamlined journey engineered for results with Nemo's master instructors

Bonus: Free Fun Dive

Your reward is your choice! Head to Fujairah for a complimentary post-certification boat dive among coral reefs and sea turtles, or take AED 200 cashback instantly.

How to Earn your Scuba Diving Certification

Enhance your diving experience by mastering techniques specific to boat diving. Learn how to safely enter and exit the water, manage equipment in tight spaces, and follow proper boat diving procedures. This course prepares you for dive trips around the world, making every boat dive smooth and stress-free. Gain confidence in different conditions and maximize your enjoyment on every trip. Whether you’re diving locally or traveling abroad, these skills are essential. Make every boat dive safer and more enjoyable. Step up your diving game, enroll today and become a confident, capable boat diver.

What you need to know

  • PADI Search & Recovery Diver e‑learning or manual for home study.
  • Four open‑water search & recovery dives over two to three days.
  • Use of search equipment including lift bags, reels, lines and marking buoys.
  • Instruction on knot tying, search patterns and lift‑bag techniques.
  • Certification processing and debrief after each training day.
  • Snacks and drinks during dive days.
  • Transportation to/from the dive centre and dive sites; any border fees for Musandam.
  • Personal dive kit (mask, fins, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, dive computer, compass, SMB and gloves).
  • Meals beyond light refreshments and personal expenses.
  • Dive insurance (recommended) and additional specialties (e.g., Underwater Navigator).
  • Purchase of lift bags or recovery equipment for personal use.
  • In this Search & Recovery Diver Specialty, you will learn how to:
    • plan and organize effective underwater search and recovery operations
    • use circular, U-pattern, expanding square, and jackstay search methods
    • tie essential knots underwater for lines and recovery setups
    • rig and use lift bags safely for controlled object recovery
    • mark search areas with buoys and record search details
    • coordinate with teammates during multi-diver recovery tasks

    The live page notes that the course includes training in search patterns, knot tying, lift-bag techniques, team coordination, and logging search information, along with four open-water dives over two to three days.

After successful completion of the performance requirements, divers earn a search and recovery certification through the PADI Search and Recovery Diver specialty. This certification confirms that you have completed formal underwater search and recovery training and can apply key recovery methods, lift techniques, and search procedures in recreational dive settings.

The live page also states that this specialty counts toward the Master Scuba Diver rating and complements Rescue Diver and Divemaster training.

  • Standard scuba gear and dive computer, compass, SMB and gloves (for rope handling).
  • Swimwear, towel, reef‑safe sunscreen and water bottle.
  • Notebook or slate to log search details.
  • Curiosity to solve underwater challenges and a teamwork mindset.
  1. Enroll & e‑learning: Review search theory, patterns and lift‑bag usage at home.
  2. Dive 1: Practise natural navigation; perform circular and U‑pattern searches; practise filling a lift bag at the surface.
  3. Dive 2: Conduct expanding square and compass‑based patterns; locate a small object and retrieve it using a lift bag.
  4. Dive 3: Work as a team to search for a heavier object; tie knots underwater and attach lift bags to raise it safely.
  5. Dive 4: Plan a staged search for multiple objects; coordinate a recovery sequence and surface safely with a lift bag.
  6. Debrief & certification: Record search data, discuss improvements and obtain your Search & Recovery Diver card.
  • Duration: Two to three days; typically two dives per day.
  • Timing: Flexible scheduling with weekend courses available; morning or afternoon departures.Daily start times at 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM
  • Group size: Up to four students per instructor to ensure safety and coordination.
  • Location: Search sites in Fujairah or Musandam with varying bottom types to practise different patterns.
  • Mastering search patterns requires patience and compass skills; consider pairing this specialty with Underwater Navigator for best results.
  • Gloves are important for handling ropes and lift bags; protect your hands from abrasion.
  • You must remain within your certification depth limit; deeper recoveries require appropriate training and equipment.
  • Lift bags come in various sizes; ensure you know the capacity before raising heavy items. For very heavy objects, contact professional salvage teams.
  • These skills are invaluable for diver safety and rescue scenarios as well as retrieving dropped gear or mooring lines.

Don't Settle for Just "Good Enough"

Get Certified in the luxury of Palm Jumeirah, then Dive in the UAE's most pristine waters: Fujairah.

Service Details Other Centers Nemo Diving Center
Facility Location ✕ Public Beach / Vans ✓ The Palm Jumeirah (5-Star)
Ocean Upgrade ✕ Not Available / Extra ✓ Fujairah Boat Trip Option
Student Ratio ✕ Crowded (6-8 divers) ✓ VIP Attention (Max 4)
Amenities ✕ Public Restrooms ✓ Azure, Palm Jumeirah
Parking Access ✕ Paid / Off-site Walk ✓ Free On-Site Parking
Equipment Standard ✕ Standard Rental Gear ✓ Premium Sanitized Gear

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Why Thousands of Divers Trust Nemo

A decade of safe training, real diving, and global recognition. We don't just teach diving; we build a community of underwater explorers.

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Trained safely since 2014 across all levels

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Trained safely since 2014 across all levels

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consistent yearly performance

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Frequently Asked Questions?

Your underwater journey starts here

No. Any certified diver meeting the prerequisites can learn search & recovery.
We provide equipment; your instructor can advise if you want to purchase one.
Divers aged 12–14 can earn a Junior certification with depth restrictions.
Yes. All Nemo courses follow PADI standards and certifications are issued digitally upon successful completion.
Yes. All required scuba equipment is included during training. Personal gear (mask, computer, snorkel) is optional but recommended.
Yes. Safety is Nemo’s top priority. Courses are conducted in small groups, with experienced instructors, and follow strict PADI safety standards.

682.50 AED

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Scuba diving is an exciting and adventurous water sport that offers a chance to explore the beauty of the underwater world and its amazing marine life. The UAE, particularly Dubai, is one of the most popular destinations for scuba diving, attracting divers from all over the world. With its crystal clear waters and diverse marine life, scuba diving in Dubai offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

The cost of scuba diving in Dubai varies depending on the dive center you choose and the type of dive you opt for. On average, a single dive can cost anywhere from AED 250 to AED 550, with the average price for a single dive being around AED 350. This price usually includes all the necessary equipment, such as the dive tank, regulator, and wetsuit, as well as the services of a professional dive guide. At Nemo Diving Center, We offer a wide range of diving packages to suit every budget and experience level.

Diving in Dubai is an incredible experience, and the UAE is home to many dive sites teeming with amazing marine life including colorful soft and hard corals, sea turtles, stingrays, manta rays, moray eels, cuttlefish, octopus, nudibranchs, seahorses, and a plethora of fish species. It is also noted for its incredible dive wrecks that have become rich artificial reefs. These dive sites offer a unique and exciting diving experience, providing a chance to explore sunken ships and other structures that have become havens for marine life.

Come and explore the unique underwater world of Palm Jumeriah in Dubai and incredible dive sites in Fujairah such as Dibba Rock, Sharm Rock, Martini Rock, Snoopy Island, and more. At Nemo Diving Center, we offer dive trips to these amazing dive sites, allowing divers to discover the incredible marine life that has made the wreck its home. We also offer a wide range of other dive sites to choose from, including shallow coral reefs, deep wrecks, and drift dives, providing something for every level of diver.

In conclusion, scuba diving in Dubai offers an unforgettable experience for all levels of diver. With its clear waters, diverse marine life, and incredible dive sites, Dubai is a must-visit destination for any scuba diver. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, our team at Nemo Diving Center will ensure that you have an amazing time exploring the beauty of the underwater world.