Should I take the Rescue class?

[pepperbelly]

I started diving back in the early '70s, was certified with PADI as OW in '76, and sort of lost interest in the mid to late '80s due to getting bored with muddy lakes I was diving in.
I recently started diving again and just finished my NAUI AOW and Nitrox(as a separate cert). The AOW class seemed to be material I covered back in '76 but served as a really good refresher, especially the nav stuff.
I am 58 and don't really see a good reason to go for a Master Diver certification, but the Rescue seems like it could be useful. If I do it I would take it next spring.

I only dive recreationally and have no desire to go pro. Is Rescue something I should do or just stay as AOW?

BTW my dive count for this board is a low estimate. We never used to log dives and only needed the cert card to get air refills.

 

[Bratface]

In my opinion, every diver should take the rescue course. You will learn a lot in the course and maybe even help out a buddy in trouble some day.

 

[pepperbelly]

That is what I was thinking.

 

[northernone]

Welcome back to diving. I found the rescue course helped my situational awareness and a perfect reason to practice some things I hope I never need.

You can be, and probably are already, a fine diver with or without the course though.

Regards,
Cameron

 

[pepperbelly]

I started thinking about it after reading through the accidents and incidents threads here and watching several videos of diving accidents. The videos with divers panicking really got me thinking if I could recognize if a diver was in trouble, and if I had the skills necessary to help them without becoming a victim myself.
I was a firefighter long ago in a volunteer dept. and a cop back in the mid '80s. My first impulse is to try to help. I am also becoming used to the idea that I am middle-aged now and not as physically fit as I used to be. I'm not happy about getting older, but I am coming to accept it as a fact. If I do take rescue I want to be sure I can actually help someone, not just have the card. I do enough physical work that I know I can tow someone and carry them out of the water. I need training in the techniques though.

 

[northernone]

To me, you are an ideal candidate to benefit from a skilled instructor in a rescue course. Providing you the tools and techniques to offer the help you naturally want to provide if ever you find yourself in the situation.

Final thought: My rescue course was with an inexperienced and complacent instructor which, while material was presented, didn't leave me feeling equipped. Later I was able to have time with a public safety diver (police chief) and his deliberate demonstrations from experience were invaluable in giving weight to the drills.

Regards,
Cameron

 

[TMHeimer]

I would think every post will recommend taking the course. As pointed out, you probably are a fine diver anyway, but there are a lot of very specific things you learn in the course. And the (2006 PADI) manual I used contains tons of info. I still re-read it.

 

[pepperbelly]

The owner of the dive shop I use is a very good instructor and has a great staff of instructors and divemasters. He and his staff put me through the AOW course and I feel they did a great job. Each dive built on the skills from the dive before. The first dive was simply a familiarization dive but it helped in the other dives. I am very comfortable with them and they all are very competent and experienced.

 

[Oldbear]

The Rescue can be both fun and educational. If you have decided to dive more than just on an occasional vacation then I recommend this course.

 

[Bratface]

I started thinking about it after reading through the accidents and incidents threads here and watching several videos of diving accidents. The videos with divers panicking really got me thinking if I could recognize if a diver was in trouble, and if I had the skills necessary to help them without becoming a victim myself.
I was a firefighter long ago in a volunteer dept. and a cop back in the mid '80s. My first impulse is to try to help. I am also becoming used to the idea that I am middle-aged now and not as physically fit as I used to be. I'm not happy about getting older, but I am coming to accept it as a fact. If I do take rescue I want to be sure I can actually help someone, not just have the card. I do enough physical work that I know I can tow someone and carry them out of the water. I need training in the techniques though.

I admire your reasoning behind wanting to take the Rescue course. More divers need to think like you do. Recognizing someone in trouble is the first step, knowing how to help can save a life. In the class you will learn how to do both without putting yourself in harm's way. I'm an old chick diver too, age is just a number. Just keep diving.