The PADI Rescue Diver course is often described as the most challenging and rewarding recreational scuba course, and for good reason. This course shifts your focus from just yourself to the bigger picture, your dive buddy, your team, and the environment around you.

Through a combination of knowledge development and hands-on training, you’ll learn how to recognize potential problems before they become emergencies and how to respond calmly and effectively when assistance is needed. Our instructors focus on comfort, safety, and real-world skills so you don’t just earn a certification, you build real confidence in the water.

Rescue Diver training is engaging, empowering, and designed to make you a better diver in every situation, whether you ever plan to go pro or simply want to be a stronger, more aware dive buddy.

What You’ll Learn

• How to identify and prevent common diving emergencies
• Self-rescue skills and diver stress management
• Assisting tired, panicked, or unresponsive divers
• Search patterns and missing diver procedures
• Emergency response planning and in-water rescue techniques

Who This Course Is For

The Rescue Diver course is ideal for certified divers who want to increase their confidence, situational awareness, and ability to handle unexpected situations. It is highly recommended for divers continuing their education and is a required step toward Divemaster and professional-level training.

Prerequisites

• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or qualifying equivalent
• Current CPR and First Aid training
• Minimum age of 12 years
• Completion of a medical questionnaire

What’s Included

Your Rescue Diver course includes all required eLearning and the use of scuba equipment during training. We provide everything you need except personal gear, including mask, snorkel, fins, and boots.

Time Commitment

eLearning is completed online at your own pace. Confined and open water rescue training is typically completed over a weekend, depending on schedule and conditions.

Completing Rescue Diver will change the way you think about diving. Our team is happy to help you plan your next step, whether that’s Divemaster, specialty training, or continuing your dive journey with greater confidence.