Things happen: people accidentally drop something off a jetty, off a boat, or even while diving, and it disappears into the water. If this has happened to you before and you've been searching for it, then the PADI Search and Recovery Specialty course is for you. There are effective techniques for searching for something underwater that increase your chances of success. And there are good and better ways to bring small objects, larger objects, whatever, to the surface. Search and recovery can be challenging, but also a lot of fun.
 PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Divers who are at least 12  years old can take a PADI Search and Recovery Specialty course. PADI (Junior) Open Water Divers who are also certified as PADI Underwater Navigator Divers, i.e. who have successfully completed an Underwater Navigation specialty course, can also take the Search and Recovery specialty course.