Rescue Diver
At XtremeBeluga we offer the SDI Rescue Diver Course, during which you will work closely with our instructors to learn the skills and theory necessary to dive safely and expand your awareness of the dive environment. Although it covers a lot of serious information, the practical sessions are a lot of fun, including a chance to practice your role-playing skills!
You will develop your current skills as a diver to practice first aid and rescue skills related to diving and learn how to identify and reduce risks and issues before the become problems. During the course you will practice how to administer oxygen, give CPR, do risk assessments for a dive site and practice actual rescues.
After successful completion of the SDI Rescue Diver Course you will be certified in first aid and rescue prevention, planning and execution. This is a lifetime certification and is recognized by any reputable dive centre.
Course prerequisites:
- Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
- Provide proof of current CPR, first aid and oxygen (O2) provider (where local law permits) certification*
- Identify and respond to diver problems at the surface and underwater
- Conduct rescues from the surface and underwater
- Provide proof of SDI Advanced Adventure Diver certification, or equivalent, or open water diver certification and 40 logged open water dives
What you can expect to learn:
The rescue certification course is designed to develop the knowledge and necessary skills for an individual to effectively perform diver rescues and assists, and administer necessary first aid.
You will cover all of the following and more!
- Prevention and causes of diving accidentsStress and psychological factors
- Physical conditioning
- Equipment
- Surface drowning syndrome
- Self rescue
- Diver assists
- Surface and underwater rescues
- Types of transports
- In-water artificial respiration
- Boat and shore exit techniques
- Diver first aid
- Review of oxygen administration
- Information collection
- Access to a hyperbaric chamber
- Access to emergency transport/assistance
- Accident reporting
- Liability and related legal considerations
Some of the in-water skills include:
- On the surface, identify and assist a properly equipped skin or scuba diver simulating:Breathing difficulties
- Tiredness
- Leg cramp
- Early panic symptoms
What can I do as a SDI Rescue Diver?
- Identify stress factors in divers before and after dives
- Apply first aid in a diving context
- Identify and respond to diver problems at the surface and underwater
- Conduct rescues from the surface and underwater
- Identify types of dive injuries
- Register and participate in the SDI Divemaster Course or Internship
- Apply for SDI Master Scuba Diver rating (additional requirements apply)
SDI Rescue Diver minimum requirements:
- Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive emergency planning and execution
- Complete all open water requirements safely and efficiently
- Satisfactorily complete the SDI Rescue Diver written examination located in the SDI Rescue Manual with a passing score of 80%, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor