Rescue Diver Course

[discrepancy]

If the course is run properly, you could be an Olympic swimmer and still be pushed on this course, IF you don't think about what's happening and work within your limits.

Just pace yourself and stay in control. Enjoy the experience.

P.S. I couldn't get over how fast you can swim with no BCD and tank. Like a torpedo.

 

[StSomewhere]

Am looking to do the PADI Rescue Diver course.

Do you have to do the following for PADI?

No, you don't have to do that for the NAUI Scuba Rescue Diver course either, only their Advanced Scuba Rescue Diver course. Basically those are Divemaster-type endurance tests.

 

[Alex777]

In the PADI Course, I had to do 2 water exits with an "unconscious" diver. Aside from that, there is nothing physically demanding about the course. My advice - pick your unconscious diver carefully.

 

[pilot81]

Just finished my theory sessions and examinations....so guess i am halfway there. Open water sessions over the weekend and thats it! Think it was a very very informative course. My instructor did the equipment portion as thought it was an equipment specialist course where we took apart the equipments and had a good understanding of the problems that could occur.

 

[frankmzd]

Hi,

I was wondering whether you need to be a great swimmer to do the course. And would all rescue scenarios be with a BCD on?
Would you have to be hitting the gyms to get those quads and leg muscles well defined before you can do the course?

Cheers.

You don't have to be a great swimmer, but you should not get tired after the first 100 yds you have to swim.
I do a lot of shore diving - I was in good enough shape as a result, but the class *is* physically demanding (the worst is actually carrying an "unconscious" diver up the beach - it will pay off to have made friends with that petite woman, not for her though ;-) ).

There were a couple of rescue scenarios where you had to take off all your gear. I dive in a location where people wear 7mm wetsuits - the buoyancy from the wetsuits was enough to keep you above the water without any effort - that may be different in PNG.

As for hitting the gym, I think you should question your motivation for taking the class - to get in shape just to pass the class means that you will stop going to the gym the minute you get your certification, and that would be missing the whole point of the class.
The rescue class is about mindset as much as about learning specific skills (right now I actually think the mindset is more important, and hopefully I will never need the skills).

BTW, you don't learn any skills you can apply right away . So in that sense it is a bit anti climactic (sp?), as it does not really improve your diving per se like a peak buoyancy class would.

Have fun!

(PADI rescue diver class, three weeks ago)

 

[mcclete22]

So I am very interested because I have really wanted to take the PADI rescue diver course. Is it worth it? What can you do to better prepare? What are benefits?
I want to take it to further my training and to add to my experience, but what do you get out of the course besides that? I would really like to hear from Pilot81, because he had questions and then took the course. I appreciate any info.

 

[markfm]

Awareness, fundamentally, learning to look out for other people, hopefully avoid problems before they occur.
Given something bad does happen, you pick up a few basic skills to help get the person to shore.
Emergency First Response, in and of itself, is good to have. I hadn't taken a CPR and first aid class in some years, so it was a good thing to re-cert. Also, learning the use of an Automatic Emergency Defibrillator was, to me, worthwhile.

 

[wunat]

Just finished my theory sessions and examinations....so guess i am halfway there. Open water sessions over the weekend and thats it! Think it was a very very informative course. My instructor did the equipment portion as thought it was an equipment specialist course where we took apart the equipments and had a good understanding of the problems that could occur.

Your equipment session sounds interesting. I am looking forward to do a special course on equipment but I don't know any instructor(s) around me that are qualified to teach and certify on that.

As for the rescue diver course, being a good swimmer is not a requirement but would be a benefit. I, personally, see that some of the things makes your rescue skill greats are:

1) Observation
2) Anticipation
3) Lucid
4) Judgement

Some of these or subjective. Physical fitness does help as getting victim divers out of the water whether it is onto the boat platform or onto the beach can be demanding. I think in the end, the key is to reach and secure the victim in a timely and safest possible way.

Anyway, enjoy hope you will enjoy your openwater session. I personally see it as one of the best among the courses.

Ciao,

 

[dl348]

Just like everyone else who has replied, you don't have to be a great swimmer but you should be a good one. You also need to be in good shape from a cardiovascular standpoint. We had a woman in our class who was slightly overweight, and it was quite obvious that she was struggling with the scenarios as the day progressed. We had our gear on approximately 75% of the time. Good luck with your class.

 

[CDFDiveMaster]

Rescue is a great class....yes I would recommend getting into the gym atleast cardio. The class can be challenging. Great fun....don't let it scare you. After that I would recommend Cavern. Cavern will make you a much better diver overall. Good Luck!
Peace.