The Difference Between...

[Boats]

I'm trying to decide to take either the SSI STRESS RESCUE class, or the PADI RESCUE DIVING class. From there, I'd like to work on my Dive Master cert.

I'm not looking for a "SSI" is better than "PADI" or vice-versa discussion. I am simply looking for a description or definition of the two programs. What makes these programs different? Again, not which is better, or worse.

Thanks for understanding!

If this thread has been discussed before, just post a link for me to follow!

 

[DevonDiver]

PADI

PADI Rescue Diver Courses consists of 5 theory modules, 10 In-Water skills training exercises and 4 practice scenarios.

Each Section of the PADI Rescue Diver Course Is Aligned Under Four Main Headings:1 The Psychology of Rescue
2 Being Prepared for a Diver Emergency
3 Accident Management
4 Responding to Diver Emergencies

In-Water
Self Rescue Review
Exercise 1 – Tired Diver
Exercise 2 – Panicked Diver
Exercise 3 – Response from Shore, Boat or Dock
Exercise 4 – Distressed Diver Underwater
Exercise 5 – Missing Diver
Exercise 6 – Surfacing the Unresponsive Diver
Exercise 7 – Unresponsive diver at the Surface
Exercise 8 – Exiting the Unresponsive Diver
Exercise 9 – First Aid for Pressure-related Injuries and Oxygen AdministrationExercise 10 – Response from Shore/Boat Unresponsive Diver

PADI Confined and Open Water Training Sessions
Because rescue skills are complex (new motor skills) the ideal place for foundational learning is in a controlled environment in which water motion, temperature and visibility are not major factors. Confined water or a pool offers an optimum environment for rescue skill development, although many ideal open water sites also offer such an environment.

The open water rescue scenarios allow students to apply their skills in an actual open water location. For these scenarios, choose a location and conditions that realistically represent local diving. If the local environment offers conditions markedly different from the previous rescue training sessions, you may have students practice their skills before beginning the scenarios. An example of this might be providing rescue breaths for an unresponsive diver while exiting through mild surf.

PADI Rescue Training Sessions
In rescue training sessions, student divers apply what they learn during knowledge development as they develop rescuerelated procedural and motor skills. The ten rescue training exercises outlined in these sections progress from simple rescue skills, such as diver tows, to more complex skills, such as resuscitating an unconscious diver in the water. The rescue training exercises first introduce the skills and various techniques to divers, then allow them to practice those techniques. During practice rescue scenarios, divers discover which techniques work better for them in different situations. Remember the PADI Rescue Diver course philosophy is that there is no single “right” way to perform a rescue, but rather many workable options. Divers continue to practice skills within each exercise during practice rescue scenarios until mastering performance requirements.

SSI

SSI Stress and Rescue Courses consists of 2 theory modules, 2 pool sessions and 2 open water sessions.

Scuba diving is an exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience. The sport continues to grow each year as more people are enticed into the underwater world. People from all aspects of life and all levels of water competence are realizing that scuba diving can be enjoyed by all. However, as this new group of people enters the sport, we must adjust our teaching practices and educational courses to fit their needs. When students do not have the chance to become truly comfortable in the water and with the use of their equipment, their chance of experiencing diver stress escalates. Prevention and early identification of stress are the main focuses of this course because they are the keys to safe diving. Some rescue skills must of course be learned, but with proper prevention they will hopefully never need to be used. Of course, no one is completely immune to stress. It is a part of every dive, and a certain stress level is healthy. It warns us of danger and many times prevents us from partaking in situations beyond our abilities. This course is designed to be taught in two lecture sessions, two pool sessions, and two open water sessions. However, additional sessions may be added to fit class needs or the work may be intensified into fewer sessions if the class size and ability permits. Adequate
coverage of the subject is critical, no matter how many sessions are planned, if the student is to leave the class a truly safer and more competent diver. Part 1, “stress”, supplies the bulk of the information, thus is classroom intensive, yet light in the pool. Part 2, or the “rescue” section, is just the opposite and focuses mainly on pool work.

SSI OPEN WATER EXERCISES
Approaching the Victim
Stabilizing the Victim
Ascending to the Surface
Stabilizing Victim on the Surface
Towing The Victim to the Shore or Boat
Getting the Victim out of the Water
Searching for a Missing Buddy
Problem Solving
Rapid Breathing
Wide-Eyed Look
Buoyancy Control Problems
Loss Of Equipment
Lost Buddy
Loss Of Direction
Entanglement
Low Air
Physical Problem (Cold, Fatigue, Cramps)
Rescue Scenarios
Accident Management and Search Patterns

 

[Boats]

Hey DevonDiver!

That was a awesome response to my post! Thanks man!

 

[BioLogic]

I don't know if the SSI class has them or not, but the rescue scenarios where you didn't know which skills would be called upon from the PADI class I found to be very valuable.

 

[mk706]

I recently completed the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course. The one point I'd add is that students are responsible for arranging currency in CPR/first aid as it's required for the card but covered by the course.

 

[divengolf]

I recently completed the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course. The one point I'd add is that students are responsible for arranging currency in CPR/first aid as it's required for the card but covered by the course.

Same is true for PADI Rescue, or at least it was when I took it a few years ago.

 

[spectrum]

Have a serious discussion with each instructor and preferably some recent students. Make it your mission to learn what they really do.

Pete

 

[sladerer]

Just finishing up my SSI Stress and Rescue (pool session and book test done, waiting for OW portion).

You are comparing apples and oranges - SSI has a Search and Recovery specialty that seems to
be a closer match to PADI's Rescue Diving.

The Stress and Rescue class is divided into two parts:
First half is about stress, exploring what causes stress, how to recognize stress in you and your buddy/other diver,
and how to handle it. The pool session is designed to "stress" you by task overloading and surprise - loss of mask,
loss of air, air sharing, buddy breathing, entanglement, etc.
The second half is about rescue as outlined by DevonDiver above. Since we haven't done the to OW piece yet,
my supposition here is that it's more like "intro to search/rescue", while the Search and Recovery specialty is more
"advanced" on the search recovery side.