SDI River Diver

The SDI River Diver Course at OCD Divers teaches you how to safely plan and conduct dives in river environments. River diving introduces unique challenges such as current, visibility changes, bottom composition, and specialized entry and exit techniques. This course focuses on understanding river conditions, navigation, emergency procedures, and how to work with moving water. Training for this specialty is conducted at Balmorhea State Park, which provides ideal conditions for practicing river‑specific skills in a controlled environment.

What You’ll Learn

This course follows SDI standards and covers the essential knowledge and skills required for safe river diving:

• Dive planning: Mapping the river, reviewing compass skills, and planning navigation routes.
• Emergency procedures: Surface emergencies, scuba emergencies, rescue considerations, and lifesaving skills.
• River diving techniques: Freshwater buoyancy, site assessment, natural navigation, and using landmarks.
• Special procedures: Mud entries and exits, drift techniques, and diving upstream.
• Float and flag handling: Proper use of dive flags, floats, and line management in moving water.
• Tidal and estuary considerations: Understanding how water movement affects dive planning and safety.
• River activities: Underwater collecting, hunting, and photography in river environments.

Program Overview

The River Diver Course includes two required open water dives, each with full briefings and debriefings. Divers will practice site selection, dive planning, navigation, float control, drift techniques, and safe exits. All dives are logged and reviewed as part of the course.

Prerequisites: SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent.

Minimum age: 10 years old.

Equipment needed: A complete scuba kit appropriate for freshwater river‑style conditions. Additional items such as a dive flag, float, reel, and cutting tool are recommended for river diving.

Where Training Takes Place

Training for this specialty is conducted at Balmorhea State Park. The park’s clear spring water and gentle flow provide an ideal environment for practicing river‑specific skills such as navigation, drift control, and float handling while maintaining excellent visibility and safety.

Required Gear

Divers must have a complete scuba kit including mask, snorkel, fins, boots, BCD, regulator set, gauges or computer, exposure protection appropriate for conditions, surface signaling devices, and a cutting tool. A dive flag and float are required for river‑style training.

Gear packages and rental options are available. Visit our continuing education gear options here: Continuing Education Diver Add On Options

What Comes Next

After completing the River Diver Course, divers often continue with specialties such as Drift Diver, Navigation Diver, or Search and Recovery Diver. This specialty also counts toward the SDI Master Scuba Diver pathway.