What is the PADI Rescue Diver Course?

PADI Rescue Diver Course is about you challenging yourself and taking more responsibility for yourself and others. It is about you being able to build up connections between your and others’ actions and consequences. It is about you becoming a great buddy, you will become more confident in your skills as a diver knowing that you can help others if needed. Here you become someone who can grow from now on as a diver, self develop and become a great support for others.

 The PADI Rescue Diver Course is made up of three parts:

    •knowledge development,  including theory exam;

    •rescue skills practice,  where you learn what to look for and how to respond; 

    •rescue scenarios, where you put into practice your knowledge and skills.

The PADI Rescue Diver course prepares you to deal with dive emergencies, minor and major, using a variety of techniques. 

Depending on the needs or interests, training can be planned with breaks to gain more experience, or can be continued all the way to Divemaster, if you have enough time and your level of experience will allow that.

PADI Rescue Diver Course prerequisites

• 12 years old
• Note: 12-14 year old divers may earn Junior Rescue Diver certifications
• PADI (Junior) Adventure Diver certification — must have completed the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive
• PADI Open Water Divers may participate in Knowledge Development and Rescue Exercises in confined water
• EFR® Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months. Training may be completed along with rescue diver course.

There are no minimum amount of dives necessary to start the course, however your experience and comfort levels are important. 

If you have any questions as to whether you meet the necessary prerequisites or not, please contact me. Together we will look closely at your particular case and take necessary steps to achieving your goals.

What is the duration of the 

PADI Rescue Diver Course ?

The PADI Rescue Diver course is normally a 4 day program,  exact duration depends on the amount of students and their experience.

If you look a little bit deeper in the prerequisites of the course, you will notice that your level and experience at the start of the PADI Rescue Diver course can vary.  This means that we will need to see together how much experience you have, how long since your last dive, do you have your own equipment or not, how comfortable you are in the water, how is your air consumption, if you have any issues with removing your mask under the water. Many little things which will be very significant for your success in PADI Rescue Diver course. 

It is important to come with a clear mind and ready to work on your weak points, as it is the only way to learn. I would always encourage you to come for at least one day of diving before the course, to get used to the water, equipment and instructor - all of these are very important in achieving your goals, and directly affecting your level of comfort and progress during the course.

Keep in mind that if you would like to have your course during the dates which are not scheduled yet, would like to have longer preparation and practice time, spread the course over a longer period of time or maybe you would like to do the PADI Rescue Diver course and move straight on to preparation for the PADI Divemaster course - all of that is  possible. Just contact me and we can discuss and find out what suits you best.

What materials do you need for the

PADI Rescue Diver Course?

Together we need to ensure that you, as a student for the PADI Rescue Diver course, have a personal, current set of the following materials for study, for use during the course and for reference afterward; unless the materials are not available in a language that you understand: 

• PADI Rescue Diver Manual  

• Diving Accident Management Work Slate

• Logbook 

Student divers must view the PADI Rescue Diver Video

This is just a part of the materials  which are required for the course, more detailed information and options will be provided on request.

What diving equipment is needed for the PADI Rescue Diver Course?

Most probably  you already have your complete set of diving equipment, it is also possible to rent it. 

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. As your PADI Instructor I will explain the equipment that you need and may suggest additional gear, which will be useful for this course and throughout your diving career.

Let me know in advance if you need any assistance with your diving equipment, so we can arrange things smoothly for your upcoming diving course.

Keep in mind to have a few dives with your or rented equipment before the course starts. 

Emergency First Response overview

Emergency First Response training focuses on building confidence and increasing  the rescuer’s willingness to respond when faced with a medical emergency. Course participants learn simple to follow steps for emergency care and practice applying skills in a non-stressful learning environment. All courses are supported by self-study manuals, videos to enhance learning and allow you to start learning right away.

EFR courses meet the CPR and first aid training requirements for the PADI Rescue Diver course and all professional-level ratings. 

The  EFR courses are based on internationally recognized medical guidelines for emergency care.

During your EFR training you will cover two courses to meet the requirements for the PADI Rescue Diver course.

• Primary Care (CPR) 
• Secondary Care (First Aid) 

Emergency First Response

options and details 

• Primary Care (CPR) – This course teaches you the steps and techniques for handling life-threatening emergencies. You’ll practice skills for aiding patients who aren’t breathing, have no heartbeat, may have a spinal injury, may be in shock or who may have serious bleeding. You’ll learn how to perform CPR and continue to monitor the patient, so that you provide every possible chance of survival while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive.
• Secondary Care (First Aid) – Because many medical conditions are not life-threatening and emergency medical services are sometimes delayed or unavailable, this course teaches you how to provide first aid that eases pain and reduces the risk of further harm. You’ll learn to assess a variety of injuries and illnesses and practice bandaging and splinting.
• Care for Children – This course allows participants to learn, practice and apply emergency care skills specific to helping infants and children with medical emergencies. It’s designed for those who work with children or are likely to have to respond to emergencies involving youngsters. This course is often integrated with Primary Care (CPR) and Secondary Care (First Aid) courses.
• EFR Refresher – If you already have an  EFR certification, it’s a good idea to refresh your CPR and first aid skills every 24 months, and that’s what the EFR Refresher course is designed to do. 

Your PADI Rescue Diver Certification

As you are eco-friendly and an environmentally aware diver, when all requirements of the course are met, I would offer to you to process your certification  directly through the PADI online processing centre (instead of the envelope version by mail). In that case you will receive a temporary  certification card by email straight away.

The next step for you would be to download the PADI app and get access to your PADI eCard to have it available at any time.

There can be other options as well, which we can discuss and find out together what is the best for you.

How to start?

• Contact me to discuss suitable dates and to choose materials 
• Sign up for the PADI Rescue Diver eLearning course start learning today.
• Enroll in the PADI Rescue Diver Course
• Download the Medical Statement and Questionnaire (pdf).

There is always a way to explore and learn more raising your skills and comfort levels, making diving even more fun and at the same time taking a new challenge in a new profession and becoming a PADI dive professional.

Visit the page with the PADI Divemaster course to see more details.