Rescue divers learn how to deal with diving emergencies, both minor and major. They develop skills such as:
- Self-rescue: How to perform a self-rescue
- Buddy rescue: How to rescue a buddy
- Panic diver recognition: How to identify and calm divers who may be panicking
- First aid: How to administer first aid to divers who have been injured while diving
- Search patterns: How to conduct effective search patterns
- Accident management: How to manage accident scenes
- Emergency oxygen: How to use emergency oxygen
- Gear issues: How to troubleshoot and fix minor scuba gear issues
- Underwater safety: How to develop underwater safety techniques
- Navigation: How to improve navigation skills
- Diver identification: How to identify a diver in need, whether they are at the surface or underwater
- Rescue: How to rescue another diver or themselves .
Rescue divers also learn how to respond to a variety of illnesses and injuries, such as helping someone who is choking, handling a possible spinal injury, and applying bandages and splints.
Rescue diver courses can take place over two to three days, with the morning usually reserved for theory and the afternoon for practical skills and in-water work. Students typically need to provide their own diving equipment. Some courses may require current certification in first aid and CPR if they are not offered as part of the course. After completing the course, students receive a certification that is valid for life.