Rescue Course

[JanR]

This past weekend I finished my requirements for PADI's Rescue Diver. I thought I'd pass my thoughts on to those who might be interested in the course.

The BLUF is I highly recommend the course to anyone considering doing so.

My recommendation is not that the course necessarily teaches anything which you haven't already been exposed to in your BOW, AOW or even reading the posts here on Scubaboard. Nor do I think most people wouldn't be able to do the right thing in case of an emergency. I think most consciencious buddies would figure out the right thing to do should diaster (small or big) come to visit.

What I think is the real value of the course is the different scenarios you go through in the water. The course gives you the opportunity to figure out the mechanics of rescuing a buddy in a controlled environment. An example: when your instructor spits out her regulator while you are bringing her to the surface, it is a learning point which you'll throw in your kit bag for later use. Nice to know you won't have to learn that lesson in the middle of a real-world emergency.

The biggest take away is if I had to rescue a buddy, I will be able to work off of experiences I've already trained for instead of trying to figure it out as I go. In short, I will be able to act much more decisively than I might have otherwise. Who knows, the time saved might actually be the difference between being able to post the events in the "Near Misses and Lessons Learned" instead of posting how I lost a buddy.

For what it's worth.

Jan

 

[stairman]

Jan,glad you enjoyed your class.Its a good idea to go over your books annually to keep rescue skills sharp,Emergency First Responder and o2 provider go hand in hand with rescue class if chosen but are only good for two years after which a refresher course is needed.Rescue is good for life.Your instructor shoulnt have been able to spit out her reg on ascent if you were holding it in place as you should.Its a bit tricky ascending with another diver venting both b.cs and the practice sure helps.I think distressed diver egress should be part of the O.W course.

 

[JanR]

Your instructor shoulnt have been able to spit out her reg on ascent if you were holding it in place as you should.

Yup, That's what she said when we got to the surface. :no

Again, it's nice to be able to have had the Rescue Course where I can make that mistake as opposed to making it during an actual emergency.

Jan

 

[leapfrog]

Jan, I'm really glad you liked the course and it was good for you. My own personal opinion is that all recreational divers should think of getting to Rescue Diver level. It's good for you and it's good for the people you dive with. As Stairman says, try to keep your skills honed, practice them with your buddies. On the 02 provider front, when you are outside the US check on local legislation as you may be liable for providing 02 to someone if you do not have a certification authorised by the country you happen to be diving in.

Now get a lot of dives and bottom time before you move on to anything else. Enjoy!

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Congrats sounds like a good course.

Ok so what is the BLUF?