Rescue Diver
PADI Rescue Diver teaches you to prevent problems, spot trouble early and handle a dive emergency. Pair it with a first aid course and you’re ready to help above and below the water. Many divers call Rescue the most rewarding course they’ve ever taken.
Sign up for a classChoose your first aid course
PADI Rescue Diver requires CPR and first aid training within the last 24 months. Take one of these with your Rescue course, or skip this part if your training is current.
PADI EFR + Emergency Oxygen
Emergency First Response Primary Care (CPR) and Secondary Care (first aid), plus Emergency Oxygen Provider. The classic pairing for Rescue Divers.
DAN DFA Pro
Diving First Aid for Professional Divers: CPR, first aid, emergency oxygen, neurological assessment and marine life injuries in one course. Great if Divemaster is in your future.
What you’ll learn
Prevent & recognize
Spot diver stress, fix small gear problems before they grow, and stop accidents before they happen.
Self-rescue
Handle your own problems underwater calmly, from cramps to air issues.
Rescue skills
Help a panicked diver at the surface, find a missing diver, and bring an unresponsive diver up and out of the water.
Emergency management
Use emergency oxygen, give in-water rescue breaths, and run an emergency plan.
How it runs at 20K
eLearning
Complete PADI Rescue Diver eLearning at your own pace.
First aid & review
Your first aid course and knowledge review in the classroom.
Rescue training
Rescue exercises and realistic scenarios in open water.
Certified
Earn your PADI Rescue Diver card plus your first aid certification.
Rescue runs several times a year during the warmer months. Call for the next dates.
Pricing
Rescue Diver + first aid
Rescue Diver eLearning, training and scenarios, plus your choice of EFR + Emergency Oxygen or DAN DFA Pro.
Rescue Diver only
For divers whose CPR and first aid training is already current (within 24 months).
Contact the shop for current pricing. Rental scuba gear is included for training.
Who can join?
Requirements
- 12 years or older (ages 12–14 earn the Junior Rescue Diver card)
- PADI Adventure Diver with the Underwater Navigation dive, or Advanced Open Water Diver (or equal from another agency)
- CPR and first aid training within the last 24 months, or take it with this course
- Fit to dive, with a current PADI medical questionnaire
What’s included
- PADI Rescue Diver eLearning
- Classroom review with our instructors
- Rescue exercises and open water scenarios
- First aid course of your choice (bundle option)
- Rental BCD, regulator, tank and weights
Why train with 20K
Your next steps
Questions
Is Rescue Diver hard?
It’s challenging but fun. The scenarios are realistic, and most divers say it’s the course that made them truly confident in the water.
Which first aid course should I pick?
EFR + Emergency Oxygen covers what you need for Rescue. DAN DFA Pro goes further, with neurological assessment and marine life injuries, and is a great fit if you plan to go pro.
My CPR and first aid card is current. Do I need to retake it?
No. If you’ve completed CPR and first aid training in the last 24 months, take Rescue Diver on its own. Bring your card and we’ll confirm it qualifies.
Can I start before I have Advanced Open Water?
Open Water Divers can start the eLearning and early rescue exercises, but you need the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive before the open water scenarios and certification.
What comes next?
Divemaster, the first professional level, or the Master Scuba Diver rating with five specialties.
Ready to become a rescue diver?
Sign up online, or call or stop by the shop and we’ll help you pick your first aid course.
Sign up for a classPADI, Emergency First Response and related course names are trademarks of PADI. DAN and Diving First Aid for Professional Divers are trademarks of Divers Alert Network. Requirements follow current PADI and DAN standards; contact us to confirm before enrolling. Prices subject to change.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
