SDI Shark Conservation Diver

The SDI Shark Conservation Diver Course at OCD Divers is designed to increase a diver’s understanding of sharks, their behavior, and their critical role in the marine ecosystem. This specialty focuses on shark biology, identification, conservation issues, and how divers can safely and respectfully observe sharks in their natural environment. This course is only offered during OCD Divers ocean trips where shark encounters and observation dives can be conducted responsibly.

What You’ll Learn

This course follows SDI’s Shark Fundamentals standards and covers essential knowledge for safe and informed shark diving:

• Shark evolution and orders: Understanding major shark groups and how they developed.
• Biology and behavior: How sharks hunt, communicate, migrate, and interact with their environment.
• Fear and media influence: How advertising and pop culture shape public perception of sharks.
• Fishing and feeding: How human activity impacts shark populations worldwide.
• Regulating agencies: Organizations involved in shark protection and conservation.
• Local shark species: Identifying sharks commonly encountered at OCD Divers’ ocean destinations.
• Diving with sharks: Safe practices, positioning, and behavior when observing sharks underwater.
• Threats to sharks: Conservation challenges and how divers can help protect shark populations.

Program Overview

The Shark Conservation Diver Course includes two required ocean dives conducted during an OCD Divers trip. Divers will observe shark behavior, identify markings and species, record observations, and participate in conservation‑focused discussions. Each dive includes full briefings and debriefings, and all dives are logged as part of the course.

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

Minimum age: 18, or 10 with parental consent.

Equipment needed: A complete scuba kit appropriate for ocean diving. Additional items such as surface signaling devices, lights, and cameras may be recommended depending on the trip location.

Where Training Takes Place

This specialty is only available during OCD Divers ocean trips. Training locations vary by destination and may include areas known for responsible shark encounters such as the Caribbean, Pacific, or Gulf regions. All dives are conducted with strict adherence to environmental and safety guidelines.

Required Gear

Divers must have a complete scuba kit including mask, snorkel, fins, boots (if applicable), BCD, regulator set, gauges or computer, exposure protection appropriate for the destination, surface signaling devices, and a cutting tool. Cameras are optional but encouraged for observation and documentation.

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 Shark Conservation Diver Course, divers often continue with specialties such as Boat Diver, Deep Diver, or Digital Underwater Photography. This specialty also counts toward the SDI Master Scuba Diver pathway.