Many recreational divers just take their advanced course but don't continue with their training. Perhaps it is because the rescue course is sometimes perceived as "the first step on the ladder" to becoming a diving professional. Although this is true, the rescue course has a lot to offer and helps to make the average recreational diver a truly competent and safe diver.

Apart from how to rescue others, self-rescue is a very important part of the course and most people feel much more self-assured after a rescue course. We highly recommend it for every recreational diver!

The rescue courses are offered by a number of dive schools in Cairns, mostly in conjunction with a live aboard dive trip. It is usually a 4-day course.

The first day involves pool training and theory lectures. Days 2 to 4 will be spent out at the reef where you make up to 11 dives, some of which will be training dives. Apart from your training dives, expect spontaneous real life rescue scenarios. They will include, for example, the rescue of a panicking diver on the surface, searching for missing divers and in-water resuscitation of unconscious divers.

You will also learn about emergency procedures on a dive vessel like radio operations, oxygen use, operating a dive-tender and much more.

Minimum requirements are:

• To be a certified Advanced Open Water Diver
• Have a current CPR (resuscitation) certificate
• Have a least 20 logged scuba dives latest at the end of the course

Medical requirements in Australia are that you fill out a medical statement. Medical examination (according to Australian Standard) by a doctor in Australia is always needed. more details on dive medicals

Prices for the Rescue Diver Course are around AU$ 950 (from April 2010).

Please e-mail us if you are interested in this course.