PADI Rescue Diver
The most rewarding course in recreational diving. Learn to prevent and manage diving emergencies — solo or with others — over 2 action-packed days.
Duration
2 days
Max Depth
30m
Min Age
12+
Certification
Rescue Diver
The PADI Rescue Diver course is widely considered the most rewarding course in recreational scuba diving. Ask almost any divemaster or instructor which course changed them most as a diver and they’ll tell you: Rescue Diver.
You’ll learn to anticipate and prevent problems before they escalate, and to manage real underwater emergencies effectively — for yourself and for others. The course is challenging, practical, and a genuine confidence booster. Most students finish it feeling like completely different divers.
It’s also a prerequisite for the PADI Divemaster professional certification.
Prerequisites
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent)
- Valid EFR (Emergency First Response) or equivalent first aid certification within the last 24 months — book the EFR course if needed
What You’ll Learn
Rescue Diver Skills
The course covers a progressive set of real-world rescue scenarios:
- Self-rescue — managing your own stress, panic, and equipment issues underwater
- Recognising and managing stress in other divers before it becomes an emergency
- Emergency management — responding to unresponsive divers at the surface and underwater
- Missing diver procedures — underwater search patterns and surface searches
- Tired and panicked diver rescues — towing, signalling, and managing distressed divers
- Simulated rescue scenarios — realistic, multi-step emergencies on the water
Knowledge Development
PADI eLearning covers rescue psychology, victim assessment, emergency management, first aid priorities, and dive emergency planning.
Course Structure
Day 1 — eLearning review and pool/shallow water rescue skill practice
Day 2 — Open water rescue scenarios by boat — realistic simulations including unresponsive diver rescues, surface tows, and emergency ascents
Hotel pickup arranged, boat departs around 9am, back by 3–4pm.
After Rescue Diver
The Rescue Diver certification is the gateway to the professional levels of diving:
- PADI Divemaster — the first professional rating
- PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) — become a certified dive instructor
What's Included
- PADI eLearning materials
- PADI Rescue Diver certification fees
- Hotel transfers
- Professional dive instructor
- All rescue training dives
- Dive insurance
- All scuba equipment
- Lunch and drinks on water days
Not Included
- Towels
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
FAQ
It's active and challenging — you'll be towing mannequins, practising lifts, and running through realistic scenarios. Reasonable fitness is helpful but no specific fitness test is required.
You need a valid EFR (Emergency First Response) or equivalent first aid certification within the last 24 months before starting the course. If yours has lapsed, we offer the [EFR course](../emergency-first-responder-samui) which can be completed in a day — contact us about combining it with your Rescue Diver booking.
Absolutely. As long as you have an equivalent Advanced certification from a recognised training agency, you can enroll. Just bring your certification card and logbook.
Guests
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your trip
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