SDI Equipment Specialist

Get hands-on experience with maintaining and managing your scuba gear

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SDI Equipment Specialist Diver Certification in Nanaimo

Understand your gear, prevent problems, and become a more confident diver.

Scuba gear is your life support system underwater, and knowing how it works makes you a safer and more capable diver. The SDI Equipment Specialist Diver course teaches you how to care for, maintain, and troubleshoot the equipment you rely on every time you get in the water.

Training with Nanaimo Dive Outfitters gives you hands-on practice with the same exposure suits, regulators, BCDs, cylinders, and accessories used in our local cold-water environment around Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island.

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Who should take the Equipment Specialist course?

This course is designed for certified divers who want to:

    • Understand how their scuba equipment actually works
    • Learn to troubleshoot small problems before they ruin a dive
    • Perform simple field repairs to save a dive day
    • Extend the lifespan and reliability of their gear

Minimum age for participation is 18, or 10 to 17 with parental consent. No additional certifications are required.

Inside your Equipment Specialist training experience

We offer this course throughout the year. Training is completed in a classroom and workshop setting at our Nanaimo location.

A typical training day includes:

    • Hands-on inspection of regulators, BCDs, cylinders, exposure suits, computers, and accessories
    • Guided demonstrations on how different systems function
    • Practice performing simple field repairs
    • Proper cleaning, storage, and transportation procedures
    • How to choose the right equipment for cold-water diving on Vancouver Island

This format gives you the time and real-world context you need to maintain your own gear with confidence.

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Skills you’ll build in the Equipment Specialist course

The Equipment Specialist course has three main phases:

#1. Knowledge development

You’ll complete SDI eLearning and review key topics, including:

    • How exposure suits, BCDs, regulators, and cylinders function
    • Differences in materials and features for cold-water equipment
    • Common failure points and how to identify early warning signs
    • Proper care, cleaning, drying, and long-term storage of gear
    • How to choose equipment suited for Nanaimo’s local diving conditions

#2. Hands-on workshop training

In the classroom and workshop, you’ll learn and practice:

    • Inspecting your regulator, BCD, and exposure suit for wear or issues
    • Performing simple field repairs such as replacing O-rings or fixing minor leaks
    • Adjusting straps, buckles, hoses, and fittings for proper configuration
    • Caring for cylinders and understanding valve operation
    • Maintaining dive computers, lights, reels, and other accessories
    • Building confidence in your ability to diagnose and prevent equipment problems

This is a dry, land-based course designed to give you hands-on experience with tools and components in a controlled environment.

#3. Equipment care and troubleshooting scenarios

You’ll work through real-world examples of common gear problems, including:

    • Regulator leaks or airflow issues
    • Worn seals or zipper problems on exposure suits
    • BCD inflation or dump valve concerns
    • Accessory failures such as light issues or reel tangles

By the end of the course, you’ll know how to manage minor equipment issues confidently and understand when a professional technician is required.

Equipment covered in the Equipment Specialist course

You are welcome to bring your own gear to learn how to maintain it, including:

    • Drysuit or wetsuit
    • BCD
    • Regulator set
    • Cylinder (optional)
    • Accessories such as SMBs, reels, lights, or computers

If you do not bring your own equipment, we have shop gear available for training and demonstration. Working on your own setup is encouraged, as it helps you understand exactly how to care for what you use most.

Know your gear, trust your gear

Understanding your equipment at a deeper level is one of the most valuable skills you can gain as a diver, especially in British Columbia’s cold-water environment. When you know how your gear works, how to prevent problems, and how to handle minor issues before they escalate, you dive with more confidence anywhere in the world. The SDI Equipment Specialist certification is recognized globally and strengthens your foundation for future advanced and technical training.

What’s included

    • SDI Equipment Specialist eLearning
    • Hands-on classroom and workshop training
    • Use of tools, components, and demonstration equipment
    • Guidance on maintaining and configuring your own gear
    • Small class sizes for personalized instruction

Student perks: You’ll receive discounts on select gear purchases, plus continued access to our team for future equipment advice, fit checks, or upgrade recommendations.

Coming from out of town?

If you’ve already started your Equipment Specialist course elsewhere, we can complete your training through a multi-agency referral. Many divers travel to Nanaimo for our cold-water expertise and the opportunity to learn how gear behaves in challenging local conditions.

Whether you are visiting Vancouver Island, stopping through on a dive trip, or looking to combine training with a charter weekend, we offer flexible scheduling and workshop-based learning that does not require open-water dives. Contact us for details and availability.

Equipment Specialist Course FAQ

Ready to become a gear specialist?

Scuba diving opens the door to new experiences, travel, and friendships. Training with Nanaimo Dive Outfitters gives you confidence in one of the richest cold-water ecosystems in the world.

Start your SDI eLearning today or contact us to reserve your spot in an upcoming class.

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Are you ready to become an expert at maintaining your gear?