SDI Rescue Diver

Course Overview

The SDI Rescue Diver course builds your ability to prevent and manage diving emergencies. You will learn to recognize stress, assist divers in need, respond to surface and underwater incidents, and coordinate rescue scenarios. This course strengthens confidence, awareness, and problem solving skills that benefit every diver.

What You Will Learn

• Recognizing and managing diver stress
• Assisting tired, panicked, or unresponsive divers
• Surface rescue techniques and in water response
• Missing diver procedures and search patterns
• Scene management and emergency planning
• Realistic rescue scenarios in open water

How the Course Works

• Independent eLearning completed at your own pace
• Classroom review and scenario planning
• Open water skills development
• Open water rescue scenarios

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 15
• SDI Advanced Adventure Diver or equivalent
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen Provider certifications

Required Gear

Students must have a complete scuba kit including mask, snorkel, fins, boots, BCD, regulator set, gauges or computer, exposure protection appropriate for conditions, surface signaling devices, and a cutting tool. Each diver must have a rescue training kit. Additional rescue specific equipment may be recommended during training.

Gear packages and rental options are available. Visit our continuing education gear options here: Continuing Education Diver Add On Options

Schedule and Pricing

Scroll down to see scheduled Rescue Diver course dates. You may also contact us for private or small group scheduling.

Course fee includes eLearning, instruction, and open water rescue scenarios. Park entry fees and gear are not included.

Continuing Education

Rescue Diver is the final step before beginning the SDI Divemaster program. Many students also continue on to specialties such as Search and Recovery, Night Diver, or Deep Diver.