If you have been asked to recover a metal object underwater (especially an object was small like a ring, tool, watch, mobile phone or handgun), you know how hard it can be to locate that object in low visibility or silty conditions. Learning how to properly use an underwater metal detector can greatly increase the success of your search and recovery effort once you properly learn how to use an underwater metal detector. That's why we developed the Underwater Metal Detecting course.

What the Course Covers

In the Underwater Metal Detecting Diver specialty course, you will learn how to effectively search for and locate metal objects using a metal detector. You will learn how metal detectors work and the challenges to using metal detectors underwater. You will also learn how to select a metal detector suitable for underwater search, how to properly use a metal detector underwater, how to care for an underwater metal detector, and how to conduct effective underwater search and recovery dives using metal detectors.

While applying the search and recovery techniques you used in the PADI Search & Recovery course, you will use a metal detector to:

• Conduct a small area search for small metal object such as a rings, sets of keys, or coins using a circular rope search or arc pattern
• Conduct a medium area search for a medium sized metal object such as a mobile phone or tool using an expanding square pattern
• Conduct a large area search for a larger sized metal object such as an anchor or firearm using a jackstay search pattern

Prerequisites

• 12 years old or older
• PADI Search & Recovery Diver or qualifying certification from another agency
• Logged open water dive within the last 3 months, OR
• Completion of the PADI ReActivate/Scuba Review course within the last 8 weeks

What’s Included in the Course Fee

Our course fee includes the following:

• Three classroom sessions
• Up to 4 open water dives
• PADI Specialty certification fee and certification card
• Use of tanks and weights
• Use of underwater metal detectors

What’s Not Included

• We do not include the following dive equipment. You will need to own an underwater pencil, an underwater flashlight, a dive knife, and a lift bag for this course. If you do not own the necessary dive equipment you can purchase it at Aquatic Adventures
• We do not include personal gear (mask, snorkel, boots, and fins) as you should have purchased these items during your Open Water Diver course. There is a student discount on purchasing these items when you buy from Aquatic Adventures if you do not own them. See our How to Purchase Mask, Snorkel, Fins page for more information or call us at (262) 938-6827.
• We do not include basic life support equipment. If you do not own your own wetsuit or dry suit, regulator, or BCD, we do provide a discounted student rate for you to rent these items. Ask your training consultant at the time of registration what these rates will be. Standard rental rates can be found on this website on our Rent Scuba Equipment page.
• We also do not include entrance fees to dive sites or Lake Michigan charter fees. Students are encouraged to book Lake Michigan charters at the time of registration for classes conducted on Lake Michigan. Boats do fill up and all spots are issued on a first come first served basis.

For more information on the benefits of taking PADI Specialty courses, see Frequently Asked Questions About Continuing Diver Education.