Where Would Go To Do A "rescue" Diver Course

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Come on vacation AND take your Rescue Class here in offshore Southern California/Los Angeles, home of one out of only two Recompression Chambers in the US dedicated 24/7 365 solely for diving accidents, and of Instructors & EMS Professionals who have extensive experience treating dive casualties over many years. . .

The best most comprehensive recreational non-professional Rescue Diver Course is held once a year by the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber on Santa Catalina Island/Southern California. You will learn and participate in the entire chain of care for the emergency treatment of dive accident casualties -from First Responder to working with LA County Baywatch Paramedics, to transport & delivery of the patient at the Recompression Chamber on Catalina Island.

Emergency Response Diver > USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber > USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

http://dornsife.usc.edu/assets/sites/222/docs/ERD_General_Schedule.pdf

Volunteer > USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber > USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

this looks amazing.
 
I've been wondering the same thing. If I were to do the rescue diver course near where I live, I would be training in either a lake or a quarry with max depths about 50-60'. But all of my diving experience is in the ocean, and most of the diving I plan to do will be in the ocean and most likely boat dives. I know the knowledge will transfer from one environment to the next, but I keep holding off on signing up for the course here and instead I'm looking to travel to complete the course.
 
@lowviz you've piqued my interest in Jim's class. Where was his class held? I guess you stayed in a motel in western PA near the site? I'm in Philadelphia (not that far from Northern Delaware), so it's not exactly a short commute to Canonsburg.
 
We did that class in a quarry north of me. I am now using a local lake closer to me. Conditions are similar with less than stellar vis, lots of vegetation, easy to difficult exit points depending on the scenario, and the shop whose pool I use is 5 minutes away. There are a lot of hotels nearby (within 10 miles) ranging from moderate - think motel 6 or Red Roof, to luxury -Sheraton/Hilton type.
I have some interest in a class later this summer and can always get plenty of "victims". I did one last summer for two divers and they were both wiped out by the end of it. They even got to cut me out of my harness. I made a special one just so they could use their shears and Trilobite.
The rescue class is the lowest price class I offer next to Nitrox. Not because it's lower value but because I never want price to be a consideration when deciding to take a Rescue class. If someone wanted it bad enough and truly could not even afford what I charge all at once I'd let them make payments just so they could get the knowledge and skills.
I believe it's the most important after OW and feel strongly enough that I am willing to take a hit on the money, compared to my other classes (AOW is 425 plus), if it means I get another rescue qualified diver created.
The safety of divers in the water is that important to me.
 
I took my Rescue course at the Atlantis Resort in Dubai while I was on vacation. All that I can say is wow...what a resort and training facility. But the training itself, while meeting standards, left me feeling like I completed a course not mastering rescue skills. It was rushed in my opinion.

I would look for an instructor that "teaches" the course not a facility conducting the course because it fills a shop's calendar.
 
Where in Canada are you? I am in Kingston, Dive Tech is a good shop, TDI and can provide instruction. The St Lawrence is a good spot to dive as well, and there are some great training areas.
 
St Lawrence is good.

Crystal River Florida is also good - fresh water, decent temps and a good shop - American Pro Diving.

Sean's at American Pro is a great instructor.
 
if you all had your choice to choose any instructor or dive shop to do a "rescue" diver course (any agency) which one would you choose ? lets try an keep suggestions to options in canada, usa, mexico, or the caribbean. perhaps provide a brief explanation on the reasons for your decision.
I've probably assisted with more rescue classes than the number of dive classes I've taken. I suggest you take the class where you will do most of your diving, or in similar conditions, so you get the best taining and feel for realistic conditions and scenarios you'll encounter in your diving. Then find the best instructor you can for the area.

The rescue class is like drinking from a fire hose. If you can master and retain 20% of what is covered in the class you're doing good. A year later if you really remember anything and can perform you're exceptional. Unlike most skills taught in dive classes, hopefully you'll never need or practice what you learn in the rescue class. The best thing to do is after your rescue class to keep coming back and helping by playing victim for future rescue classes. You will be amazed at how much more you learn that way than you actually did in the class, and it will keep you relatively current on the knowledge from the class
 

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