When is the right time to go for your rescue class?

[Ze_Abron]

Everyone is praising the 'PADI Rescue' classes so I am keen to do it. Is there a minimum experience level required?

I was thinking of doing it after my Coz vacation when I should have a total of about 40 dives under my belt in various different waters.

Thoughts?

 

[muddiver]

As soon as possible. Your buddy may thank you for it someday. Or you may thank yourself.

 

[stu_in_fl]

yep, as stated above - do it asap.
- the prerequisites are just have a Advanced Open Water Cert, be 15yrs or older, and hold a CPR/First Aid cert (which often is also given at the dive shop as part or as an addition to the rescue class ) ... it is a class that everyone should do.

 

[otterdive]

Do it man! The PADI Rescue Diver course is a wonderful course. You must have your Advanced Open Water. I'm not sure if the SSI Stress/Rescue course requires their AOW equivalent, but I have heard it's a great course as well. Even if you never plan on going pro, the Rescue courses will improve your diving, and they make you a much better dive buddy.

 

[merxlin]

I'll be different here and say to wait until you are very comfortable in the water under varying circumstances. Rescue takes the ability to multi-task, you must be aware and comfortable with your equipment, and have the ability to handle situations at the surface as well as underwater. Yes, it is a very valuable course, but only if you will take a good education away from it, and not just fight your way through it.

 

[Dave1981]

I'd agree that if you don't want to continue further you'll get more out of the course with experience than a beginner diver. Having seen ppl fast track ow/aow/rescue in one go I do wonder the value of teaching those skills to people who haven't fully grasped basic skills yet.

 

[Dantheengineer]

Surely if you aren't skilled enough to master the curriculum you're not good enough to be awarded the cert. Or am i thinking too "perfect world"?
I'd say go for it. It's better to be over educated than under. (Although i'm sure both have their drawbacks)
Good luck to you either way!

 

[boulderjohn]

The rescue course does not require great diving skill. In fact, a lot of it is done on the surface.

 

[merxlin]

Surely if you aren't skilled enough to master the curriculum you're not good enough to be awarded the cert. Or am i thinking too "perfect world"?

That is true, but there is mastering and there is getting through enough to earn the cert.

I'd say go for it. It's better to be over educated than under. (Although i'm sure both have their drawbacks) Good luck to you either way!

My point was that the quality of education and retention will be much higher with a level of experience versus having to work at your in-water skill and the rescue skills. If you are comfortable in the water, you will learn faster, and much better. Its hard to retain the skills if you are fighting to do them.

Taking the class is better than not taking it. Taking it and getting full advantage of the skills is better yet.

 

[Dantheengineer]

You point is well made Merxlin.
Perhaps best then to acquire a PADI (or SSI etc) Rescue pack, have a look through the course content and take a view on it then Abron.
Or perhaps, better yet, suggest your interest to the dive leaders or instructors in COZ and ask them to gauge your abilities.