PADI Rescue Diver
PADI Rescue Diver
Countless divers call it the best course they've ever taken. The PADI Rescue Diver course changes the way you dive — building real confidence, sharpening your awareness, and making you the diver everyone wants in their group.
You'll learn to spot problems before they happen, handle real emergencies with calm and skill, and become a genuinely capable dive buddy. Challenging, rewarding, and seriously fun.
What You'll Learn
The course covers three areas — knowledge development, rescue training exercises, and open water rescue scenarios.
Self-Rescue
Master the skills to handle your own emergencies underwater — buoyancy control, airway management, and staying calm under pressure.
Recognizing Diver Stress
Learn to read the signs of stress in other divers before a situation escalates — on the surface and below.
Rescuing Panicked Divers
Practice real-world techniques for approaching, controlling, and assisting a panicked diver at the surface and underwater.
Rescuing Unresponsive Divers
Learn how to bring an unresponsive diver to the surface, provide in-water rescue breathing, and manage the situation until help arrives.
Emergency Management & Equipment
Understand the tools and procedures used in dive emergencies — oxygen delivery, accident reporting, and coordinating a response.
Open Water Rescue Scenarios
Put it all together in two realistic rescue scenarios — combining everything you've learned to manage a full dive emergency from start to finish.
How the Course Works
- 01 Complete Your eLearningWork through the PADI Rescue Diver eLearning at your own pace before your in-water sessions. You'll learn rescue thinking, preview skills, and complete a knowledge review online.
- 02 Rescue Training ExercisesPractice ten rescue exercises in the water — starting with self-rescue skills, then building through assisting panicked and unresponsive divers in progressively challenging situations.
- 03 Open Water Rescue ScenariosComplete two full rescue scenarios in open water at a local Texas dive site. You'll respond to realistic emergencies, combining all your skills from start to finish.
- 04 Earn Your PADI Rescue Diver CertificationPass your exercises and scenarios and you're a certified PADI Rescue Diver — ready to dive with a higher level of skill, awareness, and confidence than most divers ever develop.
What's Included
Included
- PADI Rescue Diver eLearning
- All scuba equipment (BCD, regulator, tanks, weights, dive computer)
- Wetsuit, hood, and gloves
- PADI certification card
- Crew pack and training materials
- Instructor fees
Not Included
- Dive site entry fees
- Emergency First Response (EFR) CPR & First Aid course (available as an add-on)
EFR certification must be current within the last 24 months. We offer this course as an add-on — ask us when you enroll.
Prerequisites
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent)You must hold an Advanced Open Water certification or qualifying entry-level-plus certification from a recognized agency.
- Current CPR & First Aid certificationMust be current within the previous 24 months. We offer the Emergency First Response (EFR) course as an add-on if you need it.
- Minimum age 12Divers aged 12–14 earn a Junior Rescue Diver certification, which automatically upgrades to Rescue Diver at age 15.
- Completed medical statementRequired prior to the start of the course. A physician's approval may be needed if you have certain medical conditions.
What This Opens Up For You
Gateway to PADI Divemaster
Rescue Diver is the final certification required before enrolling in the PADI Divemaster course — your first step into professional diving.
Path to Master Scuba Diver
With Rescue Diver plus 50 logged dives and five PADI Specialties, you qualify for the elite PADI Master Scuba Diver rating — reached by fewer than 2% of divers.
Become a Better Dive Buddy
The awareness and skills you build in this course make every future dive safer — for you and everyone in your group.
Real-World Emergency Confidence
You'll leave this course knowing you can handle a dive emergency. That confidence changes how you approach every dive for the rest of your life.
Common Questions
Is the Rescue Diver course hard?
It's challenging — but that's the point. Most divers find it both demanding and deeply rewarding. The skills are real and the scenarios push you, but your instructor guides you every step of the way. Nearly every diver who completes it says it's the best course they've ever taken.
Do I need my CPR and First Aid before I enroll?
Yes — current CPR and First Aid certification (within the last 24 months) is required. If yours has lapsed or you haven't done it yet, we offer the Emergency First Response (EFR) course as an add-on. Just ask when you call.
How long does the course take?
Most students complete the course over two to three days of in-water training, plus eLearning completed beforehand at your own pace. We'll build a schedule around your availability.
Is there a written exam?
Yes — the Rescue Diver course includes an online multiple choice knowledge review completed as part of your eLearning. The bulk of the assessment is practical, based on your rescue exercises and open water scenarios.
Do I need my own gear?
No — all scuba equipment is provided. You'll also use a rescue mask and other safety equipment during exercises, which we supply.
Is this required before Divemaster?
Yes — PADI Rescue Diver is a prerequisite for the PADI Divemaster course. If you're on the path to going pro, this is your next step.
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