SDI Research Diver Course
Research Diver Course in Jacksonville, FL
Your First Step Into Research Focused Diving
The SDI Research Diver specialty introduces certified divers to the foundational skills used in research-focused and scientific diving, including underwater observation, documentation, mapping, survey techniques, and basic data collection.
This course is a strong starting point for divers interested in conservation, citizen science, biology, environmental monitoring, or future scientific diving opportunities. You will learn how to approach dives with more purpose, collect more useful information, and better understand the underwater environments you explore.
Research Diver is not one of the most commonly offered scuba specialties in North Florida. While many dive shops offer traditional recreational courses, research-focused training is harder to find outside of university, institutional, or specialized scientific diving programs.
Precision Depth Diving offers this course as a practical first step for divers interested in conservation, citizen science, biology, underwater mapping, environmental monitoring, or future research-focused diving opportunities.
Cost: $375 (due on first day of class)
*Student and non-profit discounts available
Certified diver required | 2 days to complete | Small class sizes
Course price includes SDI eLearning. Students provide personal gear and are responsible for gas fills and site entry fees. Rental gear available upon request.
What You'll Learn
The SDI Research Diver course introduces divers to topics including aquatic ecology, marine life, data collection, mapping, survey methods, conservation, and underwater documentation.
Underwater Ecology
Learn how habitat, food chains, species interactions, and environmental conditions influence what you observe underwater.
Aquatic Life Identification
Practice identifying and documenting aquatic life in a structured, repeatable way.
Data Collection
Use slates, measurements, grids, photos, notes, and observation methods to record meaningful information.
Conservation Awareness
Learn how research-minded diving can support better environmental awareness and more responsible diving practices.
Dive Planning & Documentation
Plan research-focused dives, manage task loading, monitor depth and bottom time, and log your findings clearly.
Mapping & Survey Techniques
Practice basic underwater mapping, compass use, area surveys, and documenting geographic or biological features.
Course Standards and Student Readiness
The minimum certification requirement for the SDI Research Diver specialty is Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent. However, meeting the minimum prerequisite does not always mean a diver is ready for the task loading involved in research-focused diving. Students will be expected to observe, document, communicate, monitor their equipment, manage gas consumption, and maintain awareness of the dive team and environment while completing underwater tasks. Because of that, Precision Depth Diving recommend students to have solid foundational dive skills before beginning this course.
Students should be able to:
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Maintain good buoyancy control without contacting the bottom, reef, or training site features
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Monitor depth, time, gas supply, and dive computer while performing tasks
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Communicate clearly with a buddy or instructor underwater
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Maintain awareness of team position, surroundings, and the dive plan
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Use a slate, compass, measuring device, or other simple tools without losing control of buoyancy or trim
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Demonstrate comfort in the water beyond basic certification-level skills
If a diver meets the minimum certification requirement but is not yet ready for added task loading, we may recommend a refresher, buoyancy-focused session, or additional experience before enrolling in Research Diver. This is not meant to exclude newer divers. It is meant to make sure students are set up for success. Research-focused diving starts with controlled, aware, and environmentally responsible diving.
You’re interested in conservation or citizen science
For divers who want their time underwater to connect with something bigger than you.
This course is a good fit if you are interested in conservation, citizen science, environmental monitoring, habitat documentation, or simply learning to observe underwater environments with more purpose.
Is This Course Right for You?
You’re a student or science-minded diver
For divers interested in biology, ecology, marine science, or environmental work.
Whether you are a student, educator, volunteer, or just naturally curious, Research Diver helps bridge the gap between recreational scuba and research-focused diving techniques.
Divers Who Like Mapping, Data & Detail
For divers who enjoy navigation, documentation, problem solving, and structured dives.
Research-focused diving rewards patience, buoyancy, awareness, and attention to detail. You will learn to approach a dive with an objective, collect useful information, and document what you find.
Ready to Start Diving With Purpose?
Research Diver is a first step toward research-focused and scientific diving. If you are interested in conservation, citizen science, biology, underwater mapping, or environmental monitoring, this course will help you build the foundation.
You do not need to be a scientist to start. You just need curiosity, solid dive skills, and a desire to better understand the underwater world.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You do not need to be a biologist, scientist, or researcher to take this course. Research Diver is designed for certified divers who are interested in learning how underwater observation, documentation, mapping, and basic data collection are used in research-focused diving.
Curiosity and solid dive skills matter more than having a formal science background.
The minimum requirement is Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent. However, because this course adds task loading underwater, students should also have good buoyancy control, awareness, communication skills, and the ability to monitor depth, time, gas supply, and equipment while completing underwater tasks.
It depends. A newly certified diver may meet the minimum prerequisite, but Research Diver is usually a better fit for someone who is already comfortable in the water and can maintain control while using a slate, compass, measuring tools, or other simple research equipment.
If you are interested but not quite ready, we may recommend a refresher, buoyancy-focused session, or additional dives before taking the course.
Different agencies use different names for research-focused or scientific-diving specialty certifications. SDI’s version is called Research Diver, and it introduces divers to techniques used in research-focused diving, including observation, documentation, mapping, survey methods, and data collection.
Some universities, employers, NOAA, AAUS programs, and occupational dive programs may have their own additional requirements, medical standards, approval processes, and dive-program oversight. This course is a strong first step toward that world, but students should check the requirements of any specific organization they hope to dive with.
Not automatically. This course teaches foundational skills that can help prepare you for future conservation, citizen science, academic, or research-focused diving opportunities. It does not guarantee placement on a research team or project.
Students will practice research-focused dive planning, underwater observation, aquatic life or habitat documentation, basic survey techniques, mapping, compass use, data recording, and dive logging. The exact activities may vary depending on the dive site, conditions, and course objectives.
The SDI Research Diver specialty includes at least two open water training dives. These dives are structured around applying research-focused skills underwater, not simply touring the dive site.
You will need standard scuba equipment appropriate for the dive site, along with tools used for underwater documentation and survey work. This may include a slate or wet notes, measuring device, compass, dive computer, and a grid or quadrat depending on the planned exercises.
We will review specific equipment needs before the course, however, most research diving equipment will be provided for use in the class.
Standard scuba equipment is available for rent upon request.
No. Research-focused diving can apply in many environments, including springs, rivers, lakes, quarries, estuaries, reefs, and artificial reef sites. The skills are about observation, documentation, and data collection, not just one specific environment.
Yes. Research Diver is an SDI specialty and may count toward the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program, along with other qualifying specialties and logged dive requirements.
Research Diver is one of the courses where instructor background matters. At PDD, this specialty is taught by a staff instructor who is also a biologist, with experience in environmental field work, underwater mapping, cartography, and disciplined dive technique.
Students are not just checking off skills. They are learning how to approach dives with purpose, observe more carefully, document what they see, and begin building a foundation for future conservation, citizen science, academic, or research-focused diving opportunities.