Our course consists of several lectures and at least one pool session. culminating in two days of open water workshops. The programme is designed to introduce you to rescue techniques used in diving as well as to develop your general awareness around other divers and the diving environment. Upon completion you will be comfortable with your self-readiness and be able to keep a wary eye on other divers that may be in your charge. You can also feel confident that you would be able to manage an emergency should it ever happen.

The programme centres on five main areas of study, all of which will be assessed by an exam at the end of the course. These are initially discussed in the academic sessions and then put into practice over a two day period of open water diving and excursuses and include:

• Self rescue and diver stress
• First aid
• Emergency management
• Equipment consideration
• Medic First Aid (compulsory course for Rescue Diver: £67.00)

The rescue diver programme is unlike any other PADI course in that it relies on the students giving 110% effort throughout the course. The Rescue Diver course is hard work but intensely satisfying. This is when you realise you alone have managed a successful rescue of a lost diver (simulated). How? By employing leadership skills in directing the action, delegating tasks and finally attending the rescued divers injuries, administering CPR for example and monitoring his/her status until the medics arrive.

The open water period of training represents five dives involving both surface and underwater skills. We expect high standards from you so you will find us very thorough in our guidence to you as well as including much of the Divemaster course. We aim to push you hard to simulate the stress that is likely to be involved if a real incident was to occur and through feedback and discussion, help you to realise that there is no wrong way to rescue sombody but that there are more effective methods that others.

Specialist Rescue equipment will be provided. It is expected that you will have your own regulator, BCD, wet/drysuit, mask, fins and snorkel. It is important that you have these items so that you are familiar with them and are able to use them efficiently and effectivly, sjhould a real emergency arrise. I you do not have your own kit, then we can hire it for you, but we should ask that you become familiar with it by using it on a few dives in your own time.