Rescue Cert, is it truly a must have cert, or not?

[Beau Holden]

I agree, it is a course that should be taken. It's been close to 20 years since I took it. Would I remember everything about it, no not at all. Would the knowledge base come back if required, yes I think so. Being aware of the conditions and signs that could put diver in a rescue position before becoming a rescue can be invaluable. Knowing what to do and not rushing into a situation and without putting your self in danger is also invaluable. I am 63 years old and I am not going to try a fireman's carry and drag some overweight soul up the bank. But if can possibly get them there safely and call for help, 911 and/or O2. Then I have done my part and what I can do, without killing myself.

In my opinion, take the course and keep it within your limits and you will not regret it.

 

[TMHeimer]

I agree, it is a course that should be taken. It's been close to 20 years since I took it. Would I remember everything about it, no not at all. Would the knowledge base come back if required, yes I think so. Being aware of the conditions and signs that could put diver in a rescue position before becoming a rescue can be invaluable. Knowing what to do and not rushing into a situation and without putting your self in danger is also invaluable. I am 63 years old and I am not going to try a fireman's carry and drag some overweight soul up the bank. But if can possibly get them there safely and call for help, 911 and/or O2. Then I have done my part and what I can do, without killing myself.

In my opinion, take the course and keep it within your limits and you will not regret it.

Agree with almost everything. If it had been 3 months, let alone 20 years, I would have no idea how to tow an unconscious diver to land while giving rescue breaths. I could only now do that because I re-read my manual every once in a while. I know that's one of the more complicated skills. I would agree to a point that some of the more obvious easier stuff may stick with me, but those things I may have somewhat figured out without the course as they are just logical. Everyone's different of course.

 

[yle]

Nonsense.

Solo is a real course, with real learning possible, and a real opportunity to not pass.
Any good solo instructor can always teach something new to even the most accomplished student, if they are willing to learn.

Thanks. This makes sense, and is consistent with every other course I've been involved with.

 

[Wibble]

Thanks. This makes sense, and is consistent with every other course I've been involved with.

Except solo diver is very short; you've no time to learn and develop significant skills if you didn't have them in the first place.

There's various trivial pieces of information which are more statements of the obvious: like the Solo "letter", planning, etc.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

Thoughts on Rescue; must have cert or not?

I admittedly have not read this entire thread but wanted to respond to the OP's question.. And I know that this won't be a popular answer but here goes anyway.

My personal opinion and "thoughts" are that actual Rescue knowledge, skills, ability and equipment are extremely important......... but that the actual certification and card is really not that important......unless that certification card is a pre-requisite or otherwise required in order for you to proceed or participate in additional activities or training...

My personal opinion is basically stated in my signature line..... "Qualified trumps Certified Every Day of the Week".

Now I want to be crystal clear that there can be great value in a Rescue course and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a course and getting a Rescue Cert card. My response is to the OP's question which is" Is Rescue a must have cert, or not?"

I also feel that in some cases that having a Rescue Certification Card might even be a negative in that it may create a false sense of ability or "qualification" to perform actual rescues. For example, approaching a panicked diver in a simulation is nothing like the real deal. And when teaching, if I made sure that the "simulation" of a panicked was more indicative of the "real thing"...... I'd be in prison for drowning students during rescue simulations.

What I'm getting at here is that if you or someone you loved needed rescuing, and you actually had a choice, would you rather have someone who was certified, or someone that was qualified...?

I guess the best answer would be BOTH!

 

[boulderjohn]

Except solo diver is very short; you've no time to learn and develop significant skills if you didn't have them in the first place.

There's various trivial pieces of information which are more statements of the obvious: like the Solo "letter", planning, etc.

Trying to recreate lost post....

I can only speak for the PADI version, but I assume the SDI version will be the same.

Like all PADI courses, there is no prescribed time frame for the Solo certification. It takes as long as it takes.

Every time I have taught the course, the students who signed up for it were tech divers who wanted a card so they could do solo NDL dives. Those courses were all very quick indeed.

If, on the other hand, someone had come to me without those skills, I would have taken as long as was necessary for the student to master the requirements.

 

[boulderjohn]

I also feel that in some cases that having a Rescue Certification Card might even be a negative in that it may create a false sense of ability or "qualification" to perform actual rescues. For example, approaching a panicked diver in a simulation is nothing like the real deal. And when teaching, if I made sure that the "simulation" of a panicked was more indicative of the "real thing"...... I'd be in prison for drowning students during rescue simulations.

Well, if you made it more like the real thing, it would be a lot easier for the student: What Drowning Really Looks Like. Here is a quote from that DAN article:

"The popular conception of what drowning looks like is not accurate. Unlike this photo, drowning people usually can’t call out for help, and there is very little splashing or waving. Drowning is actually a very quiet and undramatic action."​

​

In the Rescue Course, students are indeed taught how to approach a thrashing diver, even though that is extremely rare. If you are going to go beyond that and risk the student's well being, you are likely going even farther from the real thing and would indeed be worthy of prosecution. For example, when I took the rescue course and approached a fellow student simulating panic, I did as I was taught and used the method of diving down to swim below the student and come up behind him. When I did, he dived down after me, and he tackled me at a depth of about 4 feet. As the instructor was quick to point out, a panicked diver on the surface would never do that. They are struggling to stay on the surface, and they will not intentionally dive below it.

One of the things you learn is that a diver thrashing about on the surface is in no danger. If you think it is too dangerous to approach, then wait until the diver gets tired.

If you take a course you learn those things.

 

[boulderjohn]

What I'm getting at here is that if you or someone you loved needed rescuing, and you actually had a choice, would you rather have someone who was certified, or someone that was qualified...?

So are you saying that if someone is panicked and people are coming to the rescue, the person should interview those arriving on the scene and select the one to do the rescue?

In terms of rescue skills, how does one become qualified without becoming certified?

 

[Jcp2]

So are you saying that if someone is panicked and people are coming to the rescue, the person should interview those arriving on the scene and select the one to do the rescue?

In terms of rescue skills, how does one become qualified without becoming certified?

Just like in olden days, trial and error…

 

[boulderjohn]

Just like in olden days, trial and error…

I am not sure what that means. Are you saying that people become qualified for rescue diving skills by making failed rescues?

That must take a while. I have never seen an actual rescue in my life.