SSI Stress and Rescue

[Sparrowhawk]

Well, I am taking a Stress and Rescue (SSI) course. I am still fairly new to diving and wouldn't mind if anyone had advice they could give me about the Stress and Rescue course. I have heard that the SSI's Stress and Rescue course focuses too much on the stress instead of rescue techniques. I have already read much of the SSI Stess and Rescue book and I do believe that it may focus more on the stress. I have read (not in the book) that the course isn't easy, but seeing as though I have not taken the course yet, I would not know if this is to be true.

Thanks,

Sparrowhawk

 

[speedhound]

Hi Sparrowhawk,
I've not done the SSI course, but have done the YMCA equivalent. One of the best things I learned in the course is that it's best to avoid the need for a rescue if you can.

One of the ways to do this is to watch for early signs of a potential problem, especially stress of various kinds:mental, physical, time, etc. One small action at the very outset can correct what could have otherwise been a bad situation.

I think most courses should (obviously)cover rescue techniques, but the main focus will be to avoid problems from the start.

Just my thoughts.......
Dive safe and have fun!

Brian

 

[deco_martini]

Lessee here, Georgia and taking SSI stress rescue. My guess is thats taught by a Dive Shop franchise. Dive Shop Memphis has a nurse or doctor and well as some other people give short demonstrations/lectures in their class. There is a healthy bit of rescue data taught if I have been informed correctly.

The book may not reflect the emphasis of the lectures.

 

[razor218]

hi,the course does focus on the stress part alot. being able to understand and identify stress,and what leads to it will enable you to control the situation a bit better.the rescue side of the course focuses again on controling the situation and being able to react to it.it is not a hard course to do,it can be if you "stress"about it.you will do fine and enjoy it,it is good to know what to do if the situation arises.
main thing is-DONT STRESS ABOUT IT.

 

[Web Monkey]

The class emphasizes how to recognize and deal with stress and factors that lead up to stress in you and your buddy, so that you can sidestep and/or defuse situations before they require a rescue.

It also covers how to handle various rescue situations, including bringing your buddy back to the surface and towing him/her back to the boat/shore, when your buddy in various states of distress ranging from unconcious/tired to panic.

It's an excellent class and I think everybody should take it.

Terry

Well, I am taking a Stress and Rescue (SSI) course. I am still fairly new to diving and wouldn't mind if anyone had advice they could give me about the Stress and Rescue course. I have heard that the SSI's Stress and Rescue course focuses too much on the stress instead of rescue techniques. I have already read much of the SSI Stess and Rescue book and I do believe that it may focus more on the stress. I have read (not in the book) that the course isn't easy, but seeing as though I have not taken the course yet, I would not know if this is to be true.

Thanks,

Sparrowhawk

 

[garyfotodiver]

Well, I did take the SSI Stress/Rescue course last year. It was equally as difficult as my original certification 35 years ago. Search the board; I posted my experiences.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is an old adage but it applies to SCUBA diving. I learned to recognize potential difficult situations and how to prevent them from blowing into crises. I learned to recognize a diver in trouble, before, during, and after the dive. I learned what to do if I have to assist in a rescue, or worse, initiate one. My instructor wouldn't let me use my daughter as a "victim"; he brought along someone my size. That is, over 6" tall and 250lbs. What a job!

I went diving in zero-visibility, with equipment I was not familiar with, in fresh water much colder than the ocean I usually dive in.

To summarize, it was a great experience and I am glad I did it. I am a better diver for it.

 

[DYOUNGER]

Other than the Dive Master Training that I am now taking, the SSI Stress & Rescue course was the toughest yet most rewarding certification taken. Just relax and go with the flow of the class you'll come out a much more confident diver. Good Luck.

 

[DS tank wipe]

ya what they said

 

[Sparrowhawk]

Hello again,

Thanks for the advice, I am looking forward to doing the course actually. I probably won't take the Stress and Rescue course until next year. I don't think they have a Stress and Rescue class set up anytime soon. I think that this will be a good course for me to take, the more confidence the better.

Hope all is well,

Sparrowhawk

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Sparrowhawk,

I just finished my SSI Stress and Rescue Course. I agree the SSI course does focus a lot on recognizing stress, but I think that is a logical approach. Recognizing stress and dealing with it, either in yourself or someone you are diving with, is much better than having to actually rescue someone.

The course also has a great deal of information and techniques for conducting a rescue if that is necessary.

For me, once I read the course material, even before I took the practicals, I started thinking about diving differently. I became acutely more aware of others I was diving with in a very positive way.

You will love the class, and I'm sure do well with it.

Safe diving,

Jeff