As a certified diver, whether you are looking to take up diving professionally or just for recreation we’d always recommend you train atleast up to a Rescue Diver level. Rescue diving courses and training are not designed only for someone looking at rescue diving or scuba diving as a career, but for all those who want to know what to do in the event of problems underwater and to just expand your knowledge and experience for stress free diving.
We’ve always advocated that even though you always dive with a dive buddy, in any emergency your most dependable rescuer is you (Read:You’re Your Own Best Dive Buddy). A Rescue course by any of the scuba certification agencies is one of the best ways of being a better scuba diver for both yourself and your dive buddy. The rescue training, which teaches you to anticipate and manage risks as well as responding to any basic in-water problems and diving emergencies is a challenging and demanding course. However, ask anyone who is rescue diver certified and they’ll tell you it is the single most rewarding and useful certification they’ve taken since open water. It’s the ultimate boost in confidence in the water, a a must when diving.
So what do you need to be a Rescue diver?
It goes without saying that you need to be a certified diver to even consider the scuba rescue course however, more than just an open water diver certification you need to complete your advanced diver course with 20 or more logged dives. Some scuba certification agencies like PADI and NAUI have a pre-requisite of being trained and current with first aid and CPR while some others like CMAS offers the CMAS 2 star certification which is an advanced plus rescue diver level course without the need for separate first aid and CPR training.

Other than that, it’s important that you are very comfortable with all the scuba skills taught to you in previous training which may be needed in this course. It helps if you can remain calm, composed while being quick thinking and react efficiently in a controlled manner.
What you learn in Rescue Diver training-
- Self-rescue techniques
Learn to spot potential problems and managing stress in other divers.- Emergency management
- Scuba Equipment Function
- Common Equipment Problems
- Release Function and Problems
- Panicked diver response
- Rescuing the Responsive Diver Underwater
- Rescue Exits with the Responsive Diver
- Rescuing the Responsive Diver at the Surface
- Rescuing the Unresponsive Diver Underwater
- Rescuing the Unresponsive Diver at the Surface
- Missing diver procedures
- First aid procedures for pressure related accidents
Scuba Diving Equipment Requirements for Rescue Diver:
During the course of the training you use all your basic scuba gear – (Scuba mask, Fins, Buoyancy Control Device (BCD), Weight-belt and Regulator) including a dive computer, mostly provided by the dive shop conducting the course included in the price. Other than the normal gear, a Dive Knife and Signaling Device are needed during the training.
Rescue diver training usually takes 3 days and includes theoretical study from a manual provided as well as practical exercises in the form of dive accident scenarios performed in either confined waters (swimming pools) or sometimes shallow open water. Rescue diver is the last of the recreational course and the next level in diving is more for professional pursuits. We definitely feel that Rescue level is a must for all divers as it’s always better to Be Prepared but Hope for the Best!
*Photo Credits: photos by Daniel, Daniel Kwok, SWBatzer and Travis S. on flickr











Mask clearing. Learning to clear a partially/ fully flooded mask comfortably underwater. Completely removing and replacing your mask underwater while breathing.

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In order to successfully complete any
Based in the United States and by far by the biggest and most recognized dive certification agency in the world, PADI was started in 1966 to improve the training into a variety of different courses rather than just the one single universal course. prevalent at the time. PADI courses are very performance based dive programs. The introductory level emphasizes practical knowledge, safety and motor skills along with the foundations of diving physics, physiology and chemistry.
You’ve heard about Scuba Diving, probably have friend or two who have gone diving before or you just seen divers on TV and thought you would like to give it a try, but you’re unsure about how to go about it.
STEP 1: Talk to a Diver
STEP 3: Signing up with a Good Dive Center & Instructor


Scuba classes are neither intimidating nor difficult. They start with the basics about the equipment you use and it focuses on getting the person comfortable underwater. Minimal theory and more practical exercises are conducted in calm, shallow waters or swimming pools and you are always accompanied by the instructor who will guide you through the step by step process. If you aren’t to sure if it’s something you want to give a try many resorts even offer one-day, introductory scuba experiences that enables first-timers to sample scuba diving first-hand without making a commitment of time or money.







