Stress and Rescue question

[Spencermm]

I recently got my ow cert.(SSI, if it matters- for both classes) and I want to take Stress and Rescue next.
1. Good idea? My reasoning for wanting to take it next is mainly for safety reasons- both mine and those around me.
2. How many dives should I have logged before I take this class? Or, if asking this way is more - what should I be comfortable in doing in terms of skill sets/level?
Thanks for any responses,
Spencer

 

[dschonbrun]

The first 50 or so dives are about getting comfortable with trim, air, varied conditions. It's always good to have knowledge, but I'd wait a bit. Unless of course you have emergency medical training already... or Water safety on the surface (WSI, etc). Then, you can move faster.

I got my rescue after 48 dives. I found that it was a good time even though I was a WSIT. Also, you can be aware and helpful in emergencies without Rescue cert. After 12 dives, I was involved in managing some diver situations that could have become emergent.

 

[Bratface]

An excellent idea for any diver, however, I have to agree with dschonbrun, it takes a little while to get comfortable with your gear, buoyancy, etc. Stress and Rescue is a fun class, but you will do a lot of work. Being comfortable in the water will help you out with this course. You could take CPR now (if you don't already have it--it's required) and AOW.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

take the class ASAP. So what if it is hard, if the instructor is decent you will learn a lot!

 

[MurkyRockDiver]

Do AOW first then a few dives then Rescue, great class it will make you a better diver.

 

[spectrum]

If you don't have immediate aspirations for what AOW offers and if your agency allows it then go ahead and do rescue, NAUI will allow this. There is darned little diving in it but it does offer a lot of the background that used to be in the old long format OW courses. It won't get into the physics of course but rather a lot of the nuts and bolts details about surviving as a diver and maybe getting someone else out of a jam too. You will come out of it a more confident and aware diver.

Pete

 

[fisherdvm]

I think the sooner the better. Why wait. It will make you a better buddy, a safer diver, and more aware of your diving environment. I took it before I'd let my son get certified. I think I will make him observe the class in the spring before he takes it in the future.

 

[texdiveguy]

I recently got my ow cert.(SSI, if it matters- for both classes) and I want to take Stress and Rescue next.
1. Good idea? My reasoning for wanting to take it next is mainly for safety reasons- both mine and those around me.
2. How many dives should I have logged before I take this class? Or, if asking this way is more - what should I be comfortable in doing in terms of skill sets/level?
Thanks for any responses,
Spencer

Spencer....IMO you will want to be very comfortable in your basic O/W skills of diving, this usually requires most divers to have a few dives under their belt prior to taking a Rescue diver course. I would suggest waiting a bit to secure addition diving experience....in most cases prior to a Rescue program you will have to complete AOW and some combo form of First-Aid and CPR. There is no real reason to rush right after completing an O/W class to take Rescue....enjoy diving and gain some dive time and improve on your basic skill sets first.

 

[TSandM]

I didn't take a NAUI class. I took the PADI one. We were asked to do air-sharing, calm a panicked diver underwater, and do a lot of surface rescue and retrieval skills. I think you have to be comfortable and practiced enough so that the very act of being underwater, breathing and maintaining position is fairly effortless, so that you can concentrate on the scenario or skill being presented. But I don't think you need a lot of diving experience or superb diving skills to do Rescue. And it's a great class.

 

[dboddy]

I agree that you should be comfortable with all the skills you gained in your OW class. I took the Naui Rescue course and thoroughly enjoyed it. While I learned and practiced several new in-water skills in the class, I felt the focus was really on preparing for and if possible, diffusing potentialy bad situations before you ever get in the water. That type of information can be helpful at any point in your training. The best rescue is the one that does not have to be performed!

Good luck!