The PADI Rescue Diver program develops your knowledge and skills so you can effectively perform diver assists and rescues, manage diving accident situations and render first aid. The program is an important step in expanding your knowledge and experience as a diver. PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent) certification is also a prerequisite for all PADI leadership programs.
To get into the PADI Rescue Diver program, you’ll need to be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
You’ll also need to have successfully completed the PADI Emergency First Response.
The PADI Rescue Diver program covers:
Self-rescue and diver stress, diving first aid, emergency management and equipment considerations, swimming and nonswimming assists
panicked diver response, underwater problems, missing diver procedures, surfacing the unconscious diver, in-water artificial respiration, egress (exits), first aid procedures for pressure related accidents, dive accident scenarios.
After this course you will be ready to move on the professional ladder as a Dive Master Candidate on the PADI Dive Master Course or achieve the rating of MSD - Master Scuba Diver rating before the Dive Master program
Who should take this course?
Scuba divers describe the PADI Rescue Diver course as the most challenging, yet most rewarding course they’ve ever taken. Why? Because you learn to prevent and manage problems in the water, and become more confident in your skills as a diver, knowing that you can help others if needed. During the course, you learn to become a better buddy by practicing problem solving skills until they become second nature. Plus, the course is just fun – it’s serious, but still allows for lots of laughter in between the focused learning.
PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Divers who are at least 12 years old and have completed the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive may enroll in a Rescue Diver course. You also need to have Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months. You can complete this training during the Rescue Diver course. Your instructor may also offer the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider specialty diver course at the same time.
What will you learn?
The PADI Rescue Diver course prepares you to deal with dive emergencies, minor and major, using a variety of techniques. Through knowledge development and rescue exercises, you learn what to look for and how to respond. During rescue scenarios, you put into practice your knowledge and skills.
Topics include:
Self rescue
Recognizing and managing stress in other divers
Emergency management and equipment
Rescuing panicked divers
Rescuing unresponsive divers
You may be able to get college credit for the Rescue Diver course – ask your instructor.
How can you start learning now?
Register for Rescue Diver Online – PADI’s eLearning option – to start now. You progress through five knowledge development sections using a web-based system that lets you learn at your own pace through an easy-to-use, interactive program. You also have access to an online version of the Rescue Diver Manual for reference during and after the course.
If you prefer, you can choose to study with the Rescue Diver Manual and watch the Rescue Diver Video (a book and DVD package). Contact Alpha Divers dive center to enroll in the course, get your materials and start learning. Your PADI Instructor will meet with you to schedule knowledge review sessions along with your rescue exercises and scenarios.
What scuba gear will you use?
You’ll use your basic scuba equipment and will need a pocket mask to practice in-water resuscitation. During exercises, you’ll work with an oxygen unit, floats, marker buoys and perhaps CPR mannequins. Your PADI 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.
Contact our dive center to get advice about everything you need for your diving adventures.
Next Step
Become confident and earn your next certification:
Sign up for Rescue Diver Online and start learning right away.
Enroll in a PADI Rescue Diver course at Alpha Divers diving center.