Just finished Rescue

[TheHuth]

I just finished my Rescue Diver course today. I have to confess that every person that said "Its the hardest thing I've ever done" was completely accurate. We did the rescue scenario's in a pool, so I thought that I understood the physical aspect. No, not even close. Doing that stuff in the ocean was very difficult. By the time we finished, I pretty much collapsed on the beach and spent a good 5 minutes just catching my breath. Then spent another 10 minutes sitting at the bottom of the stairs before making the hike up with my gear, and then another 15 just sitting by my car before talking to my instructor. Its been 4 hours since we finished, and I'm still wiped out.

I now realize the physical demands of a rescue scenario. Its no joke. I've gained a tremendous amount of respect for those who do their rescue course. And now that I know you have to do that again for Divemaster, and Instructor, and improve at each level, I realize I need to spend allot of time at the gym before considering advancing past where I'm at now.

 

[D_B]

The hardest, most rewarding, eyeopening, fun class I've ever taken

 

[Bob DBF]

Congratulations, I'm glad you got put through the paces, it may save your, or someone else's, ass down the road.

I did the Sonoma Dive Rescue Workshop (a clone of the LA workshop) in the '90's. I was in my 60's when I finally did Rescue and I felt really old when I was done.


Bob

 

[TMHeimer]

TH, Congrats! I was more scrambled in my head than physically back then. But, in varies with instructor of course. Contact me if you're ever by chance in Nova Scotia.

 

[cmrangel]

Wow, I'm going to be doing it soon. Hope I am up to it!

 

[DiverDownD3]

Congrats, planning on taking rescue sometime within the next year

 

[MaxBottomtime]

The ocean skills are supposed to be done over two days. We had been at the beach running up and down stairs in full gear, swimming forever and making every conceivable rescue for ten hours on a Saturday. We only had one more drill to complete so we all agreed it was now Sunday just so we wouldn't have to return the next morning. It was the most work I've ever done as a diver and I'm glad I didn't have to repeat the course.
I know a couple of divers who are rescue certified and there is no way they could possibly make any of the simulated rescues we did. I actually feel bad for them. Their instructor allowed them to slide, robbing them of the knowledge and skill needed to perform an actual rescue if it ever happened.

 

[TheHuth]

I think I did every exercise well except for exercise 7. I'd say I did that one satisfactory enough for a pass; but was stunned at how physically demanding it was. After doing it I realized that if I'm interested in pursuing a professional cert, I need to not only continue to practice these skills, but also gain a higher level of physical fitness. I'm really glad I took it.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Congratulations! I totally agree. I was so exhausted while doing the unresponsive diver with long tow and rescue breaths while removing gear. I barely had breath to count out loud between breaths and my instructor was yelling over the water, "I can't hear you!"

My victim got to practice the tired diver tow after I was done because I was so wiped from it. That was right after he cradled me in his arms and said he "got me". No complaints being rescued at that point...it's too bad he had a long time partner! lol

 

[Neilwood]

Glad to hear you "enjoyed" the course. I am planning to do mine next year as I want to be in good physical and mental shape in the water before I do it. Know a handful of folk who have just done it though and they were the same with regards to the physically shattered aspect.