Learn to prevent and manage problems in the water, and become more confident in your skills as a diver. It's challenging, yet very rewarding.
Scuba divers describe the PADI Rescue Diver course as the most challenging, yet most rewarding course they’ve ever taken. Why? Because you learn to prevent and manage problems in the water and become more confident in your skills as a diver, knowing that you can help others if needed. During the course, you learn to become a better buddy by practising problem-solving skills until they become second nature. Plus, the course is just fun – it’s serious, but still allows for lots of laughter in between the focused learning.
See more course information and start dates below.
Learn to prevent and manage problems in the water, and become more confident in your skills as a diver. It's challenging, yet very rewarding.
The PADI Rescue Diver course prepares you to deal with dive emergencies, minor and major, using a variety of techniques. Through knowledge development and rescue exercises, you learn what to look for and how to respond. During rescue scenarios, you put into practice your knowledge and skills.
Course topics include:
Self-rescue
Recognizing and managing stress in other divers
Emergency management and equipment
Rescuing panicked divers
Rescuing unresponsive divers
Theory
The first step (after you have your medical checked) is to log into the Dive Otago Digital Classroom using the PADI eLearning gift pass. It is here you will complete the theory portion of the PADI Rescue Diver scuba certification. On day one of your course at Dive Otago we will briefly review what you have studied online and take a short quiz to be sure you’re getting it. You and your instructor will review anything that you don’t quite get until it’s clear. We will also collect and review your emergency assistance plan.
How long is the eLearning portion of the course?
The time it takes to complete the eLearning portion of the course varies considerably between participants. PADI advises that it takes around 6 ‐ 8 hours. We advise you to start at least two weeks prior to the course so you can work your way through the content thoroughly at your own pace..
How does it work?
After enrolling, PADI's eLearning system presents you with interactive presentations that include videos, audio, graphics and reading. Short quizzes let you gauge your progress, and review and correct anything you might happen to miss. This lets you move through the programme efficiently and at your own pace..
What do I need for the online portion of the course?
All you will need is a stable internet connection and an email address..
What happens if I do not get Medical and cannot complete the training?
The eLearning portion of the course is non-‐refundable. This is why we advise that you do not register your pass until you have check with us whether you need to see your doctor..
Confined Water Dives (Pool)
In the comfort of our heated pool you will practise rescue scenarios and techniques that will prepare you for the open water portion of the course.
Open Water Dives (Ocean)
Two fun days in the open water, running through different diver emergency scenarios and practicing your rescue response techniques.
Duration:
6-8 hours theory online
3 days practical training
2 Weeknight and 1 Weekend
Thursday 6pm to 9pm -Welcome, Theory Quiz & Confined Water Dive (Pool) Friday 6pm to 9pm - Welcome & Theory Quiz Saturday 9am to 5pm - Open Water Dives (Ocean) Sunday 9am to 5pm - Open Water Dives (Ocean)
Private For private courses we can customise your schedule to suit. Call 0800 DIVE OTAGO to organise this today
Schedule Note If your course is a STAR course, group course or private course your timetable may be different from the options above.
Vaccination Because these consequences are so serious for us as divers, we will require vaccine passes for all participants of courses at Dive Otago.
Diving Certification - You need to be a certified Open Water Diver - and have completed the PADI (Junior) Adventure Diver certification includung the PADI Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive or be PADI Advanced Certified.
- Equivilant certification from other training agencies will be accepted.
First Aid Certification You need to be Certified in basic first aid and CPR within the past 24 months. (We will need to see proof of this.
Age The minimum age is 14 years old
Medical History All student divers complete an RSTC Medical Form that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these applies, sign the form and you’re ready to start. If you answer YES to any question on your RSTC Medical Form your doctor must, as a safety precaution, assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign the medical form that confirms you’re fit to dive.
Swimming You will need to demonstrate basic water skills to be sure you’re comfortable in the water. This is a 200-metre/yard swim or 300-metre/yard swim using a mask, fins and snorkel without stopping. There is no time limit for this and you may use any swimming stroke you want.
Language Requirements We are able to give you the theory portion of this course in a number of different languages but it is important that you also have good conversational english skills. Our instructors need to give you very important safety instructions verbally in the pool and at the dive site and they need to know that you fully comprehend what they are saying. If we are not confident that you will understand us please don’t be offended it is for the safety of our instructors as well as the other divers you will be diving with.
