PADI RESCUE DIVER COURSE

Become the Diver Others Can Rely On

WHAT IS PADI RESCUE DIVER?

The PADI Rescue Diver course changes the way you think underwater. You’ll learn to recognise potential problems, respond to diving emergencies and assist other divers through practical rescue exercises and realistic scenarios. BubbleTrail’s practical Rescue Diver training typically takes 2–3 days, depending on the schedule and training location.

WHO CAN JOIN?

The course is open to divers aged 12 years and above who are certified as PADI Adventure Divers with the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive, or hold a qualifying equivalent certification. You’ll also need a current Emergency First Response (EFR) certification completed within the previous 24 months.

RESCUE TRAINING IN ACTION

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HOW THE COURSE WORKS

Your Path to Rescue Diver

Learn to recognise problems, practise rescue techniques and put your skills to the test through realistic scenarios.

01

Learn the Theory

ONLINE • AT YOUR OWN PACE

Start with PADI Rescue Diver eLearning before your practical training. You’ll learn about recognising diver stress, preventing problems, emergency management and how to respond when a diving situation doesn’t go to plan.

02

Refresh Your Self-Rescue Skills

START WITH YOURSELF

Before learning to help someone else, you’ll revisit important self-rescue skills from your previous training. This helps you build the control and awareness needed to manage yourself before responding to another diver.

03

Practise Rescue Skills

10 RESCUE EXERCISES

Work through practical exercises that prepare you to recognise, approach and assist divers in different situations, both at the surface and underwater.

Tired Diver Panicked Diver Missing Diver Unresponsive Diver Surface Assistance Emergency Management
04

Put It All Together

2 OPEN-WATER RESCUE SCENARIOS

Bring your knowledge and rescue skills together through realistic open-water scenarios. You’ll assess what’s happening, work with your team, form a plan and respond to the situation.

05

Get Certified

PADI RESCUE DIVER

Complete your knowledge development, rescue exercises and open-water scenarios, along with the required first aid training, to earn your PADI Rescue Diver certification.

YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Meet the People You’ll Learn With

Learn to stay calm, think clearly and respond confidently when another diver needs help.

Shyamli Lakshmanan

Shyamli Lakshmanan

PADI Scuba Instructor & Co-Founder

“Rescue training is about learning to notice what’s happening around you before a situation becomes a problem. I focus on helping you stay calm, assess the situation and respond with confidence.”

TEACHING FOCUS
Situational Awareness · Diver Stress · Rescue Skills · Confidence
Pradeep Kumar Charles

Pradeep Kumar Charles

PADI Scuba Instructor & Co-Founder

“Good rescue skills start with awareness and clear thinking. I focus on helping you understand the situation, choose the right response and work through rescue scenarios with control.”

TEACHING FOCUS
Emergency Response · Problem Solving · Rescue Scenarios · Teamwork

THE BUBBLETRAIL WAY

Stay Calm. Think Clearly. Respond Well.

Rescue training is about more than reacting to emergencies. We focus on awareness, clear decision-making and practical skills you can rely on when another diver needs help.

AWARENESS FIRST

See Problems
Early.

Learn to recognise stress and potential issues before they become emergencies.

PRACTICAL RESPONSE

Know What
to Do.

Practise rescue techniques until your response becomes more confident and controlled.

TEAMWORK & JUDGEMENT

Think Before
You Act.

Assess the situation, work with others and choose the safest response.

RESCUE DIVER FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What certification do I need before starting Rescue Diver? +
To be certified as a PADI Rescue Diver, you need to be a PADI Adventure Diver with the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive, a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, or hold a qualifying equivalent certification.
What is the minimum age for Rescue Diver? +
The minimum age is 12 years. Divers aged 12–14 earn the PADI Junior Rescue Diver certification.
Do I need EFR before starting the course? +
You need current CPR and First Aid training completed within the previous 24 months to complete the Rescue Diver certification. PADI Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care meets this requirement, and qualifying CPR and First Aid training from other organisations may also be accepted.
What will I actually practise during Rescue Diver? +
The practical training begins with a review of self-rescue skills, followed by 10 rescue exercises and two open-water rescue scenarios. You’ll practise responding to situations involving tired, panicked, missing and unresponsive divers, as well as emergency management and problem-solving.
Is Rescue Diver mostly theory or practical training? +
Both are important, but Rescue Diver is highly practical. You’ll complete the required knowledge development first, then spend your in-water training practising rescue techniques and applying them through realistic scenarios.
How long does the Rescue Diver course take? +
The knowledge development can be completed at your own pace before training. BubbleTrail typically plans the practical Rescue Diver training over 2–3 days, depending on the training schedule and location. If you also need to complete EFR, additional training time may be required.
Is there an exam for Rescue Diver? +
Yes. The knowledge development includes review questions and a Rescue Diver final exam. You’ll also need to successfully complete the required practical rescue exercises and scenarios.
Do I need my own dive equipment? +
Equipment arrangements depend on the training location. In addition to standard scuba equipment, Rescue training may use items such as a pocket mask, emergency oxygen equipment, floats or marker buoys. We’ll confirm everything you need before the course.
Will I receive a PADI certification? +
Yes. Once you complete the required knowledge development, rescue exercises, open-water scenarios and CPR and First Aid requirement, you’ll earn your PADI Rescue Diver certification.
BE READY WHEN IT MATTERS

Ready to Become a Rescue Diver?

Build the awareness, problem-solving skills and confidence to respond when another diver needs help. Talk to us about upcoming Rescue Diver course dates, training locations and EFR requirements.