Rescue Diver Course

[pilot81]

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.

 

[renpirate]

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 need to be a great swimmer for the course, but you should strive to become one. In the event that you had to do a rescue, it might make a world of differnce. Many of the skills you will learn will be in a BCD, at least initially. Some will require you to doff you gear and carry someone out of the surf. That can be very physically demanding. If you have the time, then go to the gym.

 

[mccabejc]

Not sure what organization you're talking about, but here's the NAUI Advanced Rescue Diver swimming requirements:

Swimming skills (no equipment)
–Swim 225 yard (207 m) nonstop, any stroke, in six minutes or less.
–Survival swim for 15 minutes.
–Recover 10 pounds (4.5 kg) from about 10 feet (3 m) of water.
–Transport another person of equal size 25 yards (22.9 m).

In our advanced class, which includes the NAUI Rescue Diver, we had to swim 300 yards in less than 10 minutes. So you'll probably need to swim continuously for 200-300 yards in a pool.

 

[dmmike]

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.

Pilot81,
You do not have to be a great swimmer , but you need to be very comfortable in the water. If you are part of the group that is looking for a lost diver you may have to enter the water w/o your BCD. As far as strength goes, you will be carrying people up onto shore. If you have any other questions just ask.

 

[D_B]

great swimmer ... no ... good , yes
hitting the gyms to get quads and legs "well defined" .. no ... Gym to be in shape , yes
BCD on all the time ... no ... just most of the time

But , that said , you had better be in shape because it will stress you , and your abilities greatly

One of the hardest , most rewarding , and satisfying things you will do , great sense of accomplishment when you complete it

good luck

DB

 

[ScubaSarus]

You will have to carry someone out of the water which was hardest for me.

 

[1MyWay]

Taking the rescue diver course is not about a show of strength. The course is about keeping your cool under pressure. When an accident happens other divers will look to you to coordinate a rescue, and/or preform that rescue yourself. If you use the equipment avaliable to most divers, they are relatively easy to bring to the surface and tow to shore. The only real physical challenge is bringing the victim/rescuee on the boat or shore. Just remeber think of yourself before you act, because if you become a victim that makes two people someone else will have to save and it just may not be worth it to someone else.

 

[pilot81]

Am looking to do the PADI Rescue Diver course.

Do you have to do the following for PADI?
Swimming skills (no equipment)
–Swim 225 yard (207 m) nonstop, any stroke, in six minutes or less.
–Survival swim for 15 minutes.
–Recover 10 pounds (4.5 kg) from about 10 feet (3 m) of water.
–Transport another person of equal size 25 yards (22.9 m).

 

[pilot81]

For those who has done the course, do let me know your experiences and what was the most difficult / challenging part of the course.

 

[Spoon]

do they do the punch and flail test wherein a simulated panick diver will grab your mask, reg and hit at you with dear life?