The PADI Rescue Diver course is an important and crucial step in expanding a diver’s knowledge and experience beyond a purely recreational level. PADI Rescue Divers learn to look beyond themselves to consider the safety and well-being of other divers. This is why the PADI Rescue Diver rating is a prerequisite for all PADI leadership training (Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Open Water Scuba Instructor).

Rescue Diver training prepares you to prevent problems and if necessary, manage dive emergencies using a variety of techniques. The course is designed to be demanding. Although the nature and context of the course is serious, the experience is rewarding, enjoyable and builds confidence.

At Divers Incorporated, we call the PADI Rescue Diver Course "Serious Fun." This Program was updated by PADI to include more hands on training while making the open water sessions more practical with "real life" scenarios.

The PADI Rescue Diver course philosophy is that there is rarely only one way to accomplish a task. There is no “right” way to perform a rescue, but rather many options from which rescuers draw depending on the circumstances. The PADI Rescue Diver course takes a flexible, conceptual approach to performing rescues — a rescuer’s relative size and strength, for example, as well as environmental factors dictate what rescue technique may be most effective. Rescue training exercises provide for individual differences and capabilities while encouraging you to experiment with alternate techniques.

During this course you will learn to think first, determining how to act using the best methods given the situation.

PADI (Junior) Adventure Divers who are at least 12 years old and have completed the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive may enroll in a Rescue Diver course. 

You also need to have First Aid/ CPR training within the past 24 months. You can complete this training during the Rescue Diver course. Your Instructor may also offer the Emergency Oxygen Provider specialty course at the same time.