The PADI Rescue Diver course is a pivotal step in expanding a scuba diver's knowledge and experience. Rescue Divers learn to look beyond themselves to consider the safety and well-being of other divers. This is why the PADI Rescue Diver certification is a prerequisite for all PADI leadership-level training (PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor and Open Water Scuba Instructor). The course introduces the necessary skills required in the unlikely event of a diving accident and builds your confidence providing you with valuable experience in emergency management. You will learn to deal with tired, panicked and unresponsive scuba divers and learn in water resuscitation techniques. We have two scuba diving pool locations in Swansea and prefer to use local dive sites in Swansea and Gower whenever possible.

Pre-Requisites

• PADI Advanced Open Water diver (or equivalent certification from another training agency).
• Prior to certification all students must have completed a sanctioned first aid course which includes CPR training within the past 2 years. The EFR (Emergency First Response) course run by Bay Divers is highly recommended and meets all course requirements. We offer a discounted rate on the EFR course when run in conjunction with the Rescue Diver course.
• All students must fill in a PADI medical questionnaire prior to participation.
• Minimum age is 12 and 12 to 15 year olds will be awarded junior certification.
• Two passport-sized photographs required before course completion

Course Outline

The course is in three phases - Knowledge Development, Confined water training sessions and Open water dives.

Knowledge Development

You will work through one chapter of your manual at a time in a similar fashion to that of your previous PADI courses. This allows you to study in your own time and at your own pace. Prior to entering the water for each week's Confined Water sessions you will undertake academic sessions taken by your Bay Divers PADI instructor to ensure a comprehensive understanding of Rescue theory.

Confined Water Training

After each Knowledge Development session you will move to the pool where you will put into practice what you have learnt so far. This phase of the course will focus upon problem solving and accident management techniques, which will be run by way of realistic but very enjoyable scenario exercises.

Open Water Training

We now move to an Open water scuba diving site for you to bring all your skills together and take part in a series of open water rescue scenarios in a realistic setting.

Course Duration

Typically, five weeks in duration with one knowledge development presentation followed by confined water training once a week. This will be followed by two days at our open water training site. We prefer to use local Gower and Swansea scuba diving sites whenever possible, but if conditions are poor we would use the national dive centre in Chepstow.

How much is it and what is included?

The course costs £265 (£340 including EFR course) and includes all entry fees to dive sites as well as:

• PADI Rescue Diver manual
• PADI Diving Accident management workslate
• Certification fee

What is not included?

Travel to and from the training locations and Open Water scuba diving sites are your responsibility.

What happens next?

Once you have gained certification as a PADI Rescue Diver you have the option of progressing to the first professional level course in the PADI system - PADI Divemaster. On completion of Divemaster training you are able to then gain employment in the dive industry here in the UK and abroad. Alternatively, you may wish to progress to PADI Master Scuba Diver, PADI's highest non-professional rating. On completion of your course, you are welcome to consolidate your skills and meet new friends who share your interest in diving and the underwater world. We meet at Morriston Leisure Centre every Monday evening for a dive between 8 and 9pm, obviously keeping clear of the course in progress, followed by a decompression stop at the local pub! You will also be made very welcome to join us on the many diving trips organised throughout the year in the UK and abroad.