Rescue - Definitely worthwhile!

[RonFrank]

I just finished the PADI rescue class this weekend.

IMO it's a class that every diver should take. It *could* save someone's life including your own.

To summarize a bit for those who have NOT done the class...

The EFR part is about as dry as a mummy. However it's very worthwhile. One learns CPR, shock management, victim assessment, bleeding management, and basically what to do out of the water in the event of an emegancy. There is emphasis on Diving accidents, and considerations in regard to conditions that may be imposed due to diving locations (like on a boat).

The classroom is dry, and like most PADI classes know the materials in advanced, as the instructor goes over the knowledge reviews, and answers questions.

The pool scenerios are a blast, and we had a lot of fun. The Scenerios can be devious, and designed to challange the Rescuer. For example I played a victim in one where I was paniced, would not let the rescuer near me without pulling him under, and he had to get me from behind UW. Then after he gained control of me I relaxed just long enough to make the rescuer think he was in control, and then I freaked out again, got out of their grasp, and went after him again... Too fun!

Of course in a real emergancy it would be anything but fun, and these drills are ment to help teach the rescuer how difficult it maybe to control a real victim, and also that one's safety comes first.

The course also put's one in scenerios just to task load the rescuer. To provide an idea of the level of task loading involved, in one scenerio the rescuer must provide rescue breaths (every 5 seconds) while towing the victim, and removing both his, and the victims gear minus fins, and the exposure suit in deep water. If this sounds easy, try it, if you think it sounds difficult, it is.

Other things that are covered included emergancy assessment, monitoring the victims/patients life line, managing a rescue, searching for a missing diver and managing that operation, treatment of a variety of marine related cuts, stings, punctures, bites, putting together an emergancy action plan for a site, and exit strategies under various conditions (boat, shore, whatever).

In any event, great class, and IMO mandatory for anyone who is serious about diving once they become comfortable with diving. I think PADI minimum dives are 20, and I'd say that 40 might be a better minimum due to some of the things they pull on you while UW.

 

[kjc1989ds]

thanks mate, glad to hear its good. i read through a similar post the other night and purchased all the materials on ebay last night. should be doing the course this june or october and cant wait. maybe a bit early to get the books but i like to be ahead

 

[Scuba Jerm]

Sounds like a really tough course! I'd like to try it out. I always up for a good challenge

 

[fairybasslet]

I do want to take this class. Everyone who has taken it has said basically the same thing you have. But to be honest, I'm kind of scared I'll fail. I could never be an EMT.

 

[www.scubamazing.com]

I agree. I feel there was a lot I didn't know that I didn't know before I took that class.


I feel like a much more capable diver and less of a liability than before.

 

[RonFrank]

I do want to take this class. Everyone who has taken it has said basically the same thing you have. But to be honest, I'm kind of scared I'll fail. I could never be an EMT.

First off, I know a couple EMT's, and the level of training they go though is FAR FAR more difficult than this class.

Also keep in mind this is PADI, and not DIR. Very few people are going to fail! :11doh: IMO failure would be not something based on PADI, but rather failing to do your very best, and work on getting some of the more difficult tasks right.

As for the written test in our class we had three students (four would have been better), and test scores were 2 98%'s, and one 96%, so the test is NOT difficult. We three people we did have a lot of time to do pool work which was cool, and all of us basically screwed up the rescue breathing/gear removal task the first time we tried. So we did it more, and got better.

The reality is that removing both your gear, and the gear of the victim while doing rescue breathing IMO is an excercise in task loading as I can think of no situation where you would want to do that in deep water. In fact I suggest that it would be the best way I can think of to ensure failure, and asked why PADI did not require us to juggle marbles in addtion just to load us down some more!

The instructor laughed.

 

[dlndavid]

We had to do search and rescue after the ow training for all the dropped gear.
Great course if you work hard at it and try and learn something.
Diver! Diver! Are you OK?

 

[TSandM]

I agree -- it's an excellent course, very challenging and very productive. We went through a lot of scenarios, and each of us had some we didn't manage as well as others, but we learned from every experience -- and from the successes and screwups of others as well. It would be tragic not to take the course because of a fear of "failure". I don't know what failure would be in this class, anyway, but even if you "failed", you'd learn a lot.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

One of the best courses I've taken so far! Most fun was watching faces of candidates when I was a "victim" last time at the lake. 25 ft platform all three of them watching the instructor and me when I suddenly went into rapid breathing clutching at my chest and doing my best st vitus's dance for a few seconds before toppling back off the platform to fall motionless to the bottom 3 ft down. Nobody freakin moved!! :11: Guess it was a little too much for them . I got back up on the platform after a few seconds and they were just "what the **** was that!":huh: My instructor and I just looked at each other and demoed an ordinary run of the mill paniced diver and how to assist them. Told em that what they expect to happen is usually what doesn't.
When I did my rescue one of the DM "victims" did basically the same thing except he spit his reg out. I got to him just as he was reaching for his octo. It takes you by surprise for a second but that's what a real emergency does and you have to work thru it. And my rescue breath and remove gear vic had a big green loogie hanging from his nose ! Thank God I carry a pocket mask!

 

[Jasonmh]

I agree, great class, very worthwhile for anyone serious about diving IMO.
It was nice meeting you this weekend. It must have been fun times with the Hole as packed as it was.