SDI Full Face Mask Diver
SDI / ERDI Full Face Mask Diver Course – Charlotte, NC
Stay warm, dive safer, and communicate clearly — learn to dive with a Full Face Mask.
At Sink or Swim Scuba, just outside Charlotte, NC, we offer the SDI or ERDI Full Face Mask Diver Course for recreational and public safety divers who want to experience a new level of comfort, safety, and functionality underwater.
Whether you're diving in cold, contaminated water or simply want the freedom to breathe through your nose, full face mask diving provides a game-changing upgrade to your scuba experience.
Why Take the Full Face Mask Diver Course?
Years ago, I (Brent) dove my first full face mask — a positive pressure Interspiro Divator. I loved it immediately, and still own it. Today, I primarily use the OTS Guardian Full Face Mask, especially when:
-
I'm diving in cold water or contaminated conditions
-
I want underwater communications with my buddy or team
-
I want to eliminate jaw fatigue from a traditional regulator
-
I want to keep my face warm and dry throughout the dive
If I weren’t teaching, I’d probably dive a full face mask every time.
Course Highlights:
✅ Learn the features, functions, and safety protocols of full face masks
✅ Hands-on training in donning, doffing, and emergency procedures
✅ Practice with underwater communication (when applicable)
✅ Available as either an SDI recreational course or ERDI public safety training
We primarily train with the OTS Guardian Full Face Mask, available for purchase through our dive shop. Click here to view the Guardian FFM on our site.
“I love being able to breathe through my nose or mouth with no mouthpiece — and my face stays warm and dry the whole dive. It’s a game changer.”
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is perfect for:
-
Recreational divers in Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas
-
Public safety and rescue divers needing contaminated water protection
-
Divers interested in underwater communications gear
-
Anyone seeking comfort and warmth during dives
Course Requirements:
-
SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
-
Minimum age: 18 (15 with parental consent)
Location:
All courses are conducted at Sink or Swim Scuba, a 5-Star Instructor Training Center located at:
- 4310K Wilkinson Blvd, Gastonia, NC – just minutes from Charlotte.
Watch this video of one of our divers in her pink OTS Guardian Full Face Mask switching from full face to normal dive mask with OTS Guardian in Bonaire
Ready to experience the next level of diving?
Call us at 704-823-0501, or email us to reserve your spot in the next Full Face Mask Diver Course.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
Who this course is for:
The certified diver looking for more information about the different full face masks available and how to determine the correct one to meet their needs
Course prerequisites:
- SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
- Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
What you can expect to learn:
The SDI Full Face Mask Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:
Purpose
- Diver safety
- Communications
Advantages
- Increased diver safety
- Communications
- Corrective lenses
Disadvantages
- Increased air consumption
- Buoyancy
- Bulky
Types
- Appropriate/inappropriate
- Scuba quick connect/disconnect
- Surface supplied
Techniques/procedures
- Donning
- Diving with a full face mask
Underwater Communications
Types of communication equipment
User/field maintenance and care
Authorized servicing/preventive maintenance
After use
Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:
- Dive plan
- Equipment set up
- Proper donning and adjustment
- On the surface, switching from open to close
- Proper weighting
- Establish buoyancy and demonstration of buoyancy control
- Equalization techniques
- Clearing a partially flooded mask
- Remove and replace full face mask underwater
- free flowing full face mask
- Successfully switch to a back up mask
- Remove mask and utilization of alternate air source
- Alternate air source ascent
- Ascent and exit
- Log dive
What’s in it for you?
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:
- The diving activities approximate those of training
- The areas of activities approximate those of training
- Environmental conditions approximate those of training
*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.
Ready to Transform Your Diving Experience in the Charlotte Area?
Stop dreaming about warmer, more comfortable dives with clear communication and join our Full Face Mask Diver course!
