The PADI Rescue Diver will expand your knowledge and experience beyond purely recreational level because you'll learn to look beyond yourself and consider the safety and well being of other divers. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence.

You'll learn to look beyond your needs to the needs of those around you. You'll sharpen your observation skills, Learn how to prepare for, respond to and avoid emergency situations. This course is hard work, but at the same time enjoyable and rewarding. There's plenty of action as you progress through the various scenarios.

What do I need to start?
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization). Minimum age: 15 years old (12 for PADI Junior Rescue Diver). Successful completion of a sanctioned CPR program within the past 24 months - the PADI Emergency First Response course is suitable. See note below regarding beginning the Rescue Diver course from Open Water Diver level

What equipment do I need?
As a Rescue Diver, you should own your own equipment. You should be familiar with it and know how to kit up quickly in the event of a rescue situation. But we understand that not all are in this situation, in which case we recommend that you buy, rent or borrow your equipment.

What will I do?
Rescue Diver training will prepare you to prevent problems and, if necessary, manage dive emergencies. During the five confined water sessions, you'll cover:

• Self-rescue review
• Handling a tired diver
• Handling a panicked diver
• Response from shore, boat or dock (responsive diver)
• Handling a distressed diver underwater
• Searching for a missing diver 
• Surfacing the unresponsive diver
• Handling an unresponsive diver at the surface
• Exiting the unresponsive diver
• First aid for pressure related injuries and oxygen administration
• Response from shore / boat for the unresponsive diver

Once all of these skills have been practiced in the pool environment you'll head for the open water and practice them in four specially designed scenarios. This allows you to put all the skills together and work together as an accident management team. The scenarios are not a test but rather to find out how you the Rescue Diver will respond if faced with a real emergency.

Theory
This will cover the topics of self-rescue, diver stress, diving first aid, emergency management and equipment. A Rescue Diver manual is included, which you should read before attending the practical components of the course. At the end of each chapter is a set of questions called a knowledge review. These should be filled out and handed to your instructor prior to the practical parts of the course.

What is included?
Air refills, pool entry, certification card and course materials.

How long will it take?
PADI programs are performance based. You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you. Usually around 1.5 days will be required for the pool work, and one full day for the scenario practice. You may however complete some of the pool sessions during some evenings during the week, and perhaps as part of other training activities.

When do the courses run?
Courses are usually conducted between the end of April and the beginning of October. Some fixed courses are scheduled. If you'd like to organise your own group it is also possible to schedule the course whenever you like, you simply need a group with a minimum of three people.

Special Rules for Open Water Divers
NEW! PADI now allows Open Water Divers to start working towards their Rescue Diver *before* they have their Advanced certification. Open Water Divers may participate in pool sessions and knowledge development sessions, but to complete your rescue certification in the open water you will then need your Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

Where can I go from here?
The PADI Rescue Diver certification is a prerequisite for all Professional level PADI courses, beginning with the PADI Divemaster certification. Of course rescue divers can always benefit from additional specialty training in areas that they are interested in.