PADI Rescue Diver
Develop the awareness, confidence, and practical rescue skills required to prevent and manage diving emergencies
Duration
2–3 days, 2 dives
Max Depth
Performance- and scenario-based
Level
Recreational Diver Rescue Training
Next Step
PADI Divemaster / PADI Master Scuba Diver™
Overview
The PADI Rescue Diver course develops the knowledge, situational awareness, and practical rescue capability necessary to prevent and manage diving emergencies.
Widely regarded as one of the most valuable and rewarding recreational diving courses, Rescue Diver training teaches divers to:
- identify stress in themselves and others,
- improve problem-solving capability,
- manage emergency situations,
- and assist distressed or unresponsive divers.
Through:
- rescue exercises,
- emergency simulations,
- and realistic rescue scenarios,
students develop practical capability in:
- diver assistance,
- emergency management,
- accident prevention,
- search procedures,
- and surface rescue techniques.
At N9BO℠, Rescue Diver training focuses on:
- calm decision-making,
- team coordination,
- situational awareness,
- and realistic emergency-response capability in recreational diving environments.
This course significantly improves:
- diver confidence,
- safety awareness,
- and overall diving competence.
Course Facts
- Course name: PADI Rescue Diver
- Level: Recreational Diver Rescue Training
- Minimum prerequisites: Minimum age 12, PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent), PADI Adventure Diver certification with Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive (or qualifying certification from another recognised organisation), Emergency First Response (EFR) Primary and Secondary Care training (or equivalent) within the previous 24 months
- Ratio: Maximum of 8 students per instructor (small groups recommended for quality training)
- Configuration: mask, fins, snorkel, buoyancy control device (BCD), regulator system, scuba cylinder, alternate air source, weights, dive computer, surface signalling devices, and exposure protection appropriate to local conditions. Additional rescue-training equipment may include pocket masks, oxygen units, floatation aids, and emergency-response equipment.
- Depth / environment: Performance- and scenario-based, Swimming pool, Confined water, Open water rescue-training environments, Boat and shore diving environments
- Format: Knowledge development + rescue exercises + emergency simulations + open water rescue scenarios
- Duration: Typically completed in 2–3 days (10 Rescue Exercises, 2 Open Water Rescue Scenarios)
What You’ll Learn
- Learn diver stress recognition, accident prevention, emergency management, rescue procedures
- Practice tired diver assists, panicked diver response, surfacing unresponsive divers, in-water rescue breathing, exit techniques
- Conduct underwater search procedures, missing diver exercises, emergency action planning, realistic rescue scenarios
- Develop situational awareness, calm decision-making, emergency-response confidence, and team coordination
- Build stronger overall diving capability, confidence, and operational awareness underwater
Prerequisites
- Be at least 12 years old.
- Certified as PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent)
- Certified as PADI Adventure Diver certification with Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive (or qualifying certification from another recognised organisation)
- Certified as Emergency First Response (EFR) Primary and Secondary Care training (or equivalent) within the previous 24 months
- Be medically fit for diving.
FAQ
The course is challenging but highly rewarding.
Training focuses on:
- practical rescue capability,
- emergency management,
- and building confidence through realistic training exercises.
Two dives are required:
- Deep Adventure Dive
- Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive
The remaining three dives are selected from available Adventure Dive options.
Yes.
Students must have completed CPR and First Aid training within the previous 24 months.
The course involves:
- in-water rescue work,
- towing,
- lifting,
- and emergency-response simulations.
Reasonable comfort and fitness in the water are recommended.
Many divers consider Rescue Diver the course where they:
- gain real confidence,
- improve awareness,
- and become significantly more capable and responsible underwater.
Ready to Become a More Confident and Capable Diver?
Whether you want to improve your awareness, strengthen your emergency-response capability, or prepare for professional-level diver training, our team will help you develop practical rescue skills in realistic and supportive environments.
Go Pro with the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)
Become a PADI Instructor through the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) and develop the teaching capability, leadership skills, and operational confidence required to train divers at the professional level.
