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
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.
Independent
