How often to renew Rescue course

[Scubanomad]

If you are a rescue Diver how often do you have to "renew / refresh" that course if you just do recreational diving? Just wondering... thanks

 

[RJP]

If you are a rescue Diver how often do you have to "renew / refresh" that course if you just do recreational diving? Just wondering... thanks

There is no official "renewal" but I guess the answer to your question, is a question...

How often do you want your skills to be current?

 

[rivers]

I don't think you necessarily need to renew, but at the very least, practice different rescue scenarios a few times a year at an inland site or an easy, sheltered ocean site. From your profile, it looks like you're a DM. Do you not assist on classes, including rescue?

 

[drrich2]

What content are you trying to stay current in?

To me, for my personal rec. diving purposes, the main value from the course was in a mindset; a combination of responding to problems with a 'Stop, Think, Act' approach to maximize problem solving & minimize panic risk, a greater awareness of panic and some of the dangers of diving (e.g.: AGE, pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, etc...), and an attitude of anticipating and being mindful of risks (impacting gear choice & care, proposed dive site & conditions assessment, etc...).

Now, if your interest is mainly in intervening effectively when someone else is already substantially injured (e.g.: heat stroke, head exhaustion, unconscious underwater) and being conversant in the 'haul'em out' techniques and CPR, first aid, etc..., your needs may be different.

Richard.

 

[Scubanomad]

I don't think you necessarily need to renew, but at the very least, practice different rescue scenarios a few times a year at an inland site or an easy, sheltered ocean site. From your profile, it looks like you're a DM. Do you not assist on classes, including rescue?

While I made my DM incl. Rescue about 5yrs ago, I participated in a dive shops classes for a while then b/c of moving to another city, never pursued it anymore and never associated with another dive shop.
My diving now is just for recreation. However in my mind I know I have the rescue course but would I be able to help in an incident? I don't plan to body up with a dive shop again anytime soon. Maybe when I'm retired one day to have something to do....
So my question was should I not be able to help in case of emergency during my dive trips and how often to keep my skills updated for the rescue course? Are dive operators willing to run through the drill "free" or would it be a new course?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

While there is no official need to renew the rescue course I am planning to offer a refresher this year for those who would like to do just that. This will happen whether or not I have an actual rescue class scheduled. If I do then refresher students are welcome for the entire class or just the OW portion. Cost is to be determined based on number of participants, location, and amount of training the student wants.

 

[rivers]

While I made my DM incl. Rescue about 5yrs ago, I participated in a dive shops classes for a while then b/c of moving to another city, never pursued it anymore and never associated with another dive shop.
My diving now is just for recreation. However in my mind I know I have the rescue course but would I be able to help in an incident? I don't plan to body up with a dive shop again anytime soon. Maybe when I'm retired one day to have something to do....
So my question was should I not be able to help in case of emergency during my dive trips and how often to keep my skills updated for the rescue course? Are dive operators willing to run through the drill "free" or would it be a new course?

I would say get a few mates together at a local site and practice rescue drills, including controlled buoyant lifts, panicked diver, tows, etc. See how it goes. You don't necessarily need to do it through a shop. I regularly have skills and drills days throughout the year.

 

[kwinter]

Develop a good relationship with your LDS, especially the one where you originally took the course (if you are still in that location). You can offer to be a victim for their in-water sessions when they run a rescue class. While it isn't the same as taking the course again, you will refresh all the scenarios. Most instructors I know would be willing to let someone play victim without charging them for the course.

 

[spectrum]

The CPR and First aid components usually have their own expirations.

The actual course content is "good for life" How actively you dive the lessons learned could suggest actual efforts to stay on top of it all.

Pete

 

[TMHeimer]

All good advice. I haven't heard of a shop that has required renewal of Rescue. Our shop requires renewal of first aid (EFR or other, etc.). If you perform CPR having an expired card, I don't know what the legal ramifications are. For PADI at least, I know of no course (other than EFR) at all that has to be renewed. Renewing pro certifications consists of sending in money. As far as keeping sharp, current, it's entirely up to each person, especially if you are no longer working as a DM, but I figure for many people it's the same even if still working. I have not DM asstisted a Rescue course yet in 2 years--we have a ton of instructors and DMs and just the odd Rescue class per year.