How much experience should you have before taking PADI Rescue Diver course?

[wetb4igetinthewater]

The main reason I ask is someone had mentioned that I would probably want a LOT more dive experience before the rescue course, as in probably at least 100 and closer to 200-300 dives before attempting. I thought that seemed excessive, and was more inclined and interested to build these skills sooner in my career rather than later.

I disagree. Rescue teaches some very valuable skills where it doesn't matter if you have the perfect trim or not.

I'm in complete agreement with Jim (well, I pretty much always am).

 

[Lorenzoid]

To all the great comments, I'll add that the reason why people say you "should be comfortable in the water," etc., is not because you will somehow be more qualified to take the class or more likely to pass it with ease or whatever, but because they believe you will get more out of the class than if you took it before you reached that point. Reading the original post, that understanding seems implied, but I thought I would underscore it.

 

[Neilwood]

To all the great comments, I'll add that the reason why people say you "should be comfortable in the water," etc., is not because you will somehow be more qualified to take the class or more likely to pass it with ease or whatever, but because they believe you will get more out of the class than if you took it before you reached that point. Reading the original post, that understanding seems implied, but I thought I would underscore it.

That is the way I am looking at it - if I am struggling to maintain buoyancy and trim, I am going to struggle to understand and perform the skills to the best of my ability. Having that bit more control over myself I think will give me the added capacity to handle the additional skills and information.

 

[Storker]

if I am struggling to maintain buoyancy and trim, I am going to struggle to understand and perform the skills to the best of my ability. Having that bit more control over myself I think will give me the added capacity to handle the additional skills and information.

One of the first - if not the first - of the exercises in my Rescue course was a controlled ascent where we stopped just below the surface, stuck our hand up and waved to the instructor while staying below. No corking allowed. I might well have struggled a bit with that when I had only a handful of dives in my log. I might also have struggled a bit with it if I tried it just after I switched my neoprene DS for the trilam suit I use these days..

 

[ScubaDoo83]

I just completed my Rescue with 65 dives under my belt. This is really going to depend on your own level of comfort. Basics like buoyancy, air consumption and task loading ability are all very important to have nailed down before beginning to put your attention on the safety of other divers. I'd say if there is even some slight hesitation you might want to put it off awhile and get some more dives in (hopefully in varied environments). The rescue cert is the toughest yet but very rewarding which builds your personal diver confidence.