The Finest Scuba Instruction in Southern California
As the largest scuba school in the United States, PCH Scuba can teach you everything about diving, from your initial PADI Open Water certification that will let you play in southern California's underwater forests, to advanced diving techniques on everything from wrecks to oil rigs. PCH Scuba will give you the training you want and provide the attention you need because we use multiple instructors in every class that we teach. We invite you to read our reviews on Yelp from students who learned to dive with us.
Read MoreExploring Your Home Waters
PCH Scuba charters top of the line dive boats here in southern California waters for trips to both familiar and unique dive sites surrounding the Channel Islands. From Farnsworth Bank on the windward side of Catalina to a relaxing Catalina Weekend Getaway, we are thrilled to share with you our favorite sites. We have trips perfectly suited for every level of experience and can satisfy your hunger for exploration.
Read MoreUnbiased Advice
PCH Scuba is not a dive shop—we don't sell gear—so we can give you our unvarnished opinion on every piece of dive gear we've come into contact with. We'll be happy to help you build your gear package, making sure you source the right gear for your style of diving, and get the competitive price you're expecting. The PCH Scuba dive staff has rich experience in underwater photography, wreck diving, tec diving, night diving and even, occasionally, warm water tropical diving, so tell us what gear you're curious about, and we'll give you the benefit of our experience!
- Scuba Training
- Local Dive Trips
- Equipment
Scuba Certification
We teach:
- Open Water
- Advanced Open Water
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Wreck Diving
- Deep Diving
- Search and Recovery
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Common Name: “Search”
At some point everyone loses something underwater. A backup dive light would be frustrating, but a $400 wet lens for your camera housing would destroy your day. With the skills you learn in the search and recovery class, you could go look for your lost item right away, using a search pattern appropriate to the dimensions, topography and visibility of the dive site. If you ever found the holy grail of scuba diving, the chest of dubloons, you'll even have the skills to be able to bring that ton of Spanish gold back to the surface.
After taking this course you will be able to find objects large, small, or just awkward! The Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course will teach you effective ways to find objects underwater and bring them to the surface safely. While finding elusive pirate booty would be nice, more likely someone dropped a weight pouch off the boat, or the anchor line on your friends boat needed to be cut after the anchor got fouled. Using the search patters, knots and lift bag technique of the Search and Recovery class, you'll be ready to lend assitance.
The Search and Recovery specialty is also a vital component in the education of anyone aspiring to become either a dive professional or a Master Scuba Diver. As the Rescue Diver class is a prerequisite of both paths, learning how to safely search for a lost diver is of vital importance. This specialty also qualifies for inclusion in the Master Scuba Diver Program.
Who can participate…
The Search and Recovery class is open to all Advanced Open Water divers, or Open Water certified divers with an Underwater Navigation specialty.
What is the class like…
After reading through the Search and Recovery manual, you will review the information with your instructor, covering items such as search patterns, fixing the location of a sinking object from the surface, knot tying and proper lifting technique. Then over the course of four open water dives, you will demonstrate the various search patterns you learned and practice lifting objects of increasing size and weight to the surface.
Where will you learn…
The Search and Recovery class can be taught entirely at Casino Point Dive Park on Catalina Island.
When is the class offered…
The Search and Recovery class is offered every weekend with the exception of major holidays. It requires two days of diving, so plan on spending a full weekend on Catalina to complete your training.
How much does it cost…
The Search and Recovery class is $229 and includes:
- Instructor time
- Academic materials
- Rental of lift bags, reels and lines
- Certification paperwork
You will also need to have an underwater compass in order to complete the class.