Public Safety Diver Training Pathway – From Beginner to ERDI Level 2

At Sink or Swim Scuba, we specialize in training confident, capable, and mission-ready public safety divers through a structured progression that meets the needs of fire departments, EMS dive teams, and law enforcement agencies. Whether your team is starting from scratch or you have certified divers needing ERDI credentials, our training model is designed to match your timeline and operational goals.

Serving Charlotte, Gastonia, Lake Norman, and surrounding North Carolina communities, we provide hands-on scuba training, public safety certification, equipment guidance, and long-term support.

Step 1: SDI Open Water Diver

This is the required entry-level scuba certification for all ERDI and advanced courses. Students learn:

• Fundamental scuba skills

• Dive planning and execution

• Emergency procedures

• Underwater communication basics

This course provides the foundation for all future dive training.

Step 2: SDI Advanced Open Water Diver

Note: Advanced Open Water Diver is not required to begin ERDI training, but it is strongly recommended. It ensures divers have a strong grasp of buoyancy, task management, and dive fundamentals before entering the public safety pathway.

To complete this certification, divers must:

• Log at least 25 dives

• Complete four SDI specialty courses

Recommended specialties include:

• Deep Diver

• Limited Visibility Diver

• Dry Suit Diver

• Full Face Mask Diver

Once requirements are met, students earn the SDI Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

Optional: SDI Rescue Diver and Master Scuba Diver

SDI Rescue Diver is highly recommended to improve:

• Diver self-rescue and buddy rescue skills

• Emergency response and management techniques

• Stress recognition and scene control

After completing Rescue Diver and logging 50 dives, students become eligible for:

• SDI Master Scuba Diver – SDI’s highest non-professional recognition rating

Step 3: Emergency Medical Training Prerequisites

Before starting ERDI-level training, students must have current certification in:

• Adult and Child Emergency First Response

• Emergency Oxygen Administration

Both courses are available at Sink or Swim Scuba.

Step 4: ERDI Level 1 Public Safety Diver (Operations Level)

ERDI 1 introduces divers to the public safety dive environment and team-based underwater operations. This course focuses on:

• Search and recovery techniques

• Tethered diver operations

• Scene safety and communication

• Team structure and roles

ERDI Level 1 certified divers are trained to:

• Conduct recovery and rescue dives up to 60 feet

• Operate within no-decompression limits

• Work under supervision of a public safety dive supervisor

• Support live dive missions within their training scope

Graduates may advance to:

• ERDI Tender (non-diving surface support)

• ERDI Level 2 (Operations Level)

• ERDI Ops Components and specialized modules

ERDI Tender (Operations Level)

This course is designed for non-diving personnel who support public safety dive operations. Students will learn:

• Diver tending and line-handling

• Managing dive communications

• Scene coordination and safety monitoring

Perfect for EMS personnel, law enforcement, dispatchers, or any support team members.

Step 5: ERDI Level 2 Public Safety Diver (Operations Level)

ERDI 2 builds on ERDI 1 skills and prepares divers for advanced public safety missions in more complex or challenging environments.

ERDI Level 2 divers are trained to:

• Conduct advanced rescue and recovery dives

• Operate in more hazardous or technical dive environments

• Coordinate with surface tenders and supervisors

• Support full-scale dive operations safely and effectively

ERDI Level 2 is a required prerequisite for:

• ERDI Ops Components

• ERDI Supervisor Certification

Required Equipment for ERDI Public Safety Diver Training

We provide rental equipment for most items and offer team pricing and support for departments purchasing or standardizing their own gear.

ERDI Level 1 Required Equipment

• Mask and fins

• Buoyancy compensator device (BCD) with minimum 40 lbs of lift and pony bottle compatibility

• Technical harness (if BCD is not suitable for tethering)

• Primary and secondary regulators (preferably environmentally sealed)

• Primary cylinder (minimum 80 cubic feet)

• Pony cylinder (minimum 18 cubic feet), rigged for emergency use

• Submersible pressure gauge

• Depth gauge, compass, and timing device or dive computer

• Exposure protection appropriate for the environment

• Two cutting tools (primary and backup)

• Weight system

• Audible and visual surface signaling devices

• USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD)

• Latex gloves and work gloves

• Dive tables

• Logbook

ERDI Level 2 Additional Equipment

In addition to all ERDI Level 1 gear, students must also have:

• Drysuit with suitable thermal insulation for emergency response diving

• Full face mask with underwater communication capability

Available through Sink or Swim Scuba:

• DUI and Bare drysuits

• OTS Guardian full face masks

• Compatible communication systems

ERDI Tender Required Equipment

• USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD)

• Two cutting tools

• Audible and visual surface signaling devices

• Latex gloves and work gloves

Important Notes and Additional Information

• Dive site entry fees (e.g., Blue Stone Quarry or PDRA) are not included. Expect approximately 25 dollars per day or 120 dollars annually for PDRA memberships

• Rental gear is included for Open Water training only. Additional rentals for advanced and ERDI courses are available as needed

• We strongly encourage divers to purchase their own gear for safety, consistency, and comfort

Sink or Swim Scuba is proud to serve public safety dive teams across Charlotte, Gastonia, and the surrounding areas. We offer complete support, from training and certification to gear selection and operational readiness. As an authorized ERDI training center, we deliver the most trusted public safety diver certifications in the world.