Rescue Diver Course
Learn to prevent and manage problems in the water, and become more confident in your skills as a diver.
SCUBA divers describe the Rescue Diver course as the most challenging, yet most rewarding course they’ve ever taken. The Rescue Diver course shows you how to look for potential problems and deal with them before they become serious. If you find yourself in or on the water when a diver emergency happens, you´ll now have the training to offer assistance. With the help, guidance and knowledge of your SCUBA Heroes' Instructor, you’ll finish your course in two days knowing you’ve been trained by one of the best in the business. You can start today with your online learning taking just 12-15 hours and the water skills taking just 2 days.
7 Days a Week
Hours: 9AM - 9PM EST
The PADI Rescue Dive Course is split into three steps. Through Step one "Gaining the Knowledge" and Step two "Gaining the Skills with Rescue Exercises", you learn what to look for and how to respond. During Step three "Gaining the Experience with rescue scenarios", you put into practice your knowledge and skills. Some people take a little longer than two days to complete their water skills, and that's okay. SCUBA Heroes will not charge any additional fees, beyond your instructor's cost, if you need more time.
Step 1: Gaining the Knowledge
The Rescue Diver course includes a comprehensive and very informative online training program that introduces diver rescue. At your own pace, you'll work your way through five sections including The Psychology of Rescue, Recognizing Diver Stress, Accident Management, and Responding to Diver emergencies, Equipment Problems. Once the small quizzes and knowledge reviews are completed in each section, the final exam will seem easy. The online learning includes audio, video and full interaction on phones, tablets and desktops. As soon as you book, your online learning will be available to you the same day. This portion takes between 12-15 hours and must be complete prior to Step 2.
Step 2: Gaining the skills with Rescue Exercises
There are eleven ‘Rescue Exercises’ to complete. After a short briefing you’ll be provided with a demonstration of each exercise, and with the demonstration completed it’s your turn to show proficiency in each exercise including; Self Rescue, Tired Diver, Panicked Diver, Shore/Boat Response to Responsive Diver, Distressed Diver Underwater, Missing Diver, Surfacing an Unresponsive Diver, Unresponsive Diver at the Surface, Exiting an Unresponsive Diver, First Aid and Response from Shore/Boat to Unresponsive (non-breathing) Diver at the Surface. This portion takes just one day before you move on to Step 3.
Step 3: Gaining the experience with rescue scenarios
Putting the previously acquired skills and knowledge into practice you’ll then conduct rescue scenarios in water. You’ll need to compile an ‘Emergency Action Plan’ for the local diving area beforehand. Each scenario allows you time to explore and further demonstrate proficiency of your rescue skills. The focus now becomes the ability to think about your rescue plan and that you can demonstrate your competence during a simulated emergency. With each scenario, your confidence grows and by the end of this day you will have earned your PADI Rescue Diver Certification! This portion takes just one day.
Prerequisites:
If you haven't dove within the last six months or need a refresher, SCUBA Heroes recommends booking The Reactivate program to prepare you for the training dives. You'll need to be at least at least 14 years old and be an Advanced Open Water Diver. You also need to have CPR and First Aid training within the past 24 months. SCUBA Heroes recommends the Emergency Oxygen Provider specialty diver course at the same time. Please make sure you’re happy with our terms & conditions. Now you are ready to call 1-813-586-4942 or send an e-mail. Be sure to fill out and bring this medical questionnaire with you to class. If you answered YES to any medical question, ensure that a doctor has completed the remainder of the form prior to diving with us. If you do not have a doctor's release and you answered YES to any questions, we will be unable to take you diving when you show up. Your SCUBA Heroes Instructor will explain the equipment that you need and may suggest additional gear, such as your own first aid kit, which will be useful throughout your diving career.
Other Courses
Why PADI: PADI Divers carry the most respected and sought after scuba diving credentials in the world. No matter where you choose to dive, your PADI certification card will be recognized and accepted. In fact, on most scuba diving adventures, you’ll be surrounded by other PADI Divers who made the same certification choice you did – to train with the world’s largest and most respected scuba diving training organization.
Read: "The PADI Difference" for an in depth look as to why SCUBA Heroes has teamed up with PADI
