What will I learn during the Rescue Course?
The rescue diver program is divided into theory, confined water (pool) and open water training sessions.
The theory is both covered by independent learning as well as classroom sessions. You will learn about Diver Stress and how to address it, the psychology of rescue, accident management and assisting divers (responsive and unresponsive) both on the surface and underwater. We will cover typical equipment problems, oxygen delivery system, missing diver procedures and responding to diver emergencies including in waterrescue breathing.
In the pool you will learn and practice the different rescue techniques and scenarios until you master them. We will also use the confined waters to break more complex exercises into shorter sequences and practice those.
The ocean dives serve the purpose of both having some deeper water to further practise some of the skills. But they are also simulating real (dive) life. Your instructor will put different rescue scenarios into place to which you will have to react.
The different scenarios and skills studied during the Diver Stress and Rescue Course circle around following topics:
- First aid for diving related injuries such as pressure injuries or decompression sickness
- First aid for injuries caused by the marine environment and marine life (stings, bites, etc)
- Emergency procedures
- Rescue equipment consideration and usage
- Stress and distress recognition
- Self-rescue
- Rescue entries, approaches and rescue exits
- Assist and transport of patients
- Missing, unconscious and submerged diver rescue
- In-water artificial respiration
- Accident recording and reporting
I am not an Emergency First Responder. Is that a problem?
A current EFR certificate not older that 24 months is a prerequisite for the Rescue Diver Course. If yours is out of date or you have never completed first aid and cpr training, you can simply do the React Right or Emergency First Responder Course with us on Gili Meno. The course takes one full day and it focusses on building confidence and increases willingness to respond when faced with a medical emergency.
In some more detail, you will learn how to…
- Evaluate the scene of an accident
- Secure yourself and people around an accident scene
- Prioritize action and how to make a rescue plan
- Collaborate and delegate tasks following an emergency plan
- Avoid additional accidents
- Collect all necessary information and how to call emergencies
- Use all basic medical techniques that can safe someones life
- React fast but not stressed or in a hurry
Should I become a rescue diver even if I don’t plan to do a divemaster course?
The Stress and Rescue Course is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to prevent and manage dive emergencies (should they occur). So it isn’t just a course for future professionals but a course for everyone who’d like to broaden awareness and improve skill and confidence.
Can I do the theory online before I arrive on the island?
Yes! Once you have paid for the course and you would like to already start with your Rescue Diver Course, we can help you to get access to the theory online. With SSI you simply download the app, create an account and register with our dive center. Once this is done, we will send you the theory package and you can already do all theory including all knowledge reviews and most exams in the app.
PADI does not include the eLearning automatically into the package. Should you be interested in PADI eLearning it is best to get in touch with us beforehand.
How long will my certification last?
The stress and rescue certification is valid your entire life! It makes sense though to update your first aid and cpr skills on a regular base. Should you wish to proceed further to dive master level, the EFR or React Right certificate must not be older than 24 months. In general, it is recommended to enroll into a refresher course after not diving for more than a year or simply continue your dive training with a specialty. Surely, there are worse things in life.. ?
What if I have health issues?
There are some serious conditions such as epilepsy, active asthma, emphysema, heart disease or haemophilia that could prohibit any diving activity. Please check out the attached medical form. If you answer any of the questions with “yes”, then you need to see a doctor to get a fit for diving certificate. There are also doctors on the Gilis that can examine you and issue this certificate, so don’t worry if you didn’t check the medical form beforehand.
What’s the difference between PADI and SSI?
You are already a diver, so surely you’ve come across PADI and SSI, the two major training agencies in the world. But is there a big difference or is one better than the other?
Instructors of both agencies will teach you how to be a skilled diver, as there is a certain skill set that every diver needs to have. Therefore, all diving agencies follow a legal framework laid down by the World Recreational Scuba Diving Council. The training agencies also accept each other; hence you could do one course with the one and other courses with another agency.
The main difference is in the theoretical education, requirements and costs (in case you are planning to opt for an elearning option). And of course, much comes down to personal preferences and other factors such as the teaching skills of your instructor and the conditions of the water.
SSI allows more flexibility in teaching methods and allows a more personalized approach in teaching. Therefor we have chosen SSI as our primary teaching agency. Should you prefer a PADI course, just let us know in the booking – this is also absolutely no problem.
The Diver Stress & Rescue Course with SSI is counted as a speciality but is of course recognised the same way as the PADI Rescue Diver course.
Same goes for the SSI React Right Course which is called EFR by PADI. It is a fairly similar course with the name differentiator being the name.
What different diver levels are there?
PADI and SSI differentiate slightly in between the different diver levels. You can mix and match the courses depending on what you are aiming at.
Level |
SSI |
PADI |
Level 1 |
Open Water Diver |
Open Water Diver |
Level 2 |
Specialty Diver – 12 Dives and 2 Specialities OR Advanced Adventurer (optional) |
Advanced Open Water Diver |
Level 3 |
Advanced Open Water Diver – 24 Dives AND 4 Specialities |
Rescue Diver |
Level 4 |
Master Diver – 4 Specialities + Rescue Course AND 50 dives |
Master Scuba Diver – 5 specialities AND 50 dives |
Why should I do a diving course on the Gili Islands?
Postcard-like white sandy beaches, azure and year-round warm waters (28 to 29 degrees), the reef on your doorstep and a great lifestyle – does this sound like paradise to you? But that’s not all – the Gilis are also known as the turtle capital in the world. Rightfully so, because both green and hawksbill turtles are abundant. Reef sharks are also frequently spotted and there is a broad range of marine life to be met on all dives. The dive sites are rarely more than a 15-minute boat ride away and diving is great all year round. The dry season is running from May to October and the rainy season from November to April. Rainy season sounds more extreme than it actually is because it hardly ever rains an entire day – expect showers at different severity but therefore less people.
Why should I choose Divine Divers?
We love what we do and we do it well! We have been in the game for over 10 years as Divine Divers on Gili Meno. Generally, our main differentiator is our personal approach – and of course our location at the most perfect sunset point on the island. What better way is there to end the perfect diving day where the sky meets the ocean.
Apart from that our groups are small and our instructors hand chosen for their personality and excellent teaching records. We have great and up to date training facilities and safety is our primary concern; our equipment is in excellent order and of course regularly maintained. We are committed to offering first-class service and high-quality dive courses. We are offering both PADI and SSI courses and we are collaborating with instructor development centers for both agencies in case you fall in love with diving and the island and would like to just stay and live here. You would not be the first one ?.