Rescue course

[Ratbag]

Having read the thread about rescue skills, it set me thinking about something....

I have done the PADI OW and AOW this year. I have also done the dry suit 'speciality'.

I was intending to do the Rescue Diver course but had decided to wait until I had a good few dives under my belt first.

In view of the aforementioned thread and mine regarding recent deaths to divers, I wonder whether I should reassess this decision.

I would like to hear the opinions of more experienced divers and that would include nearly all of you.

Should I think about doing the rescue course sooner rather than later?

Is it better to get more dives in first?

What do you think?

Patrick

[chrisch]

Sooner the better gets my vote Patrick. Lots of divers entering the sport through PADI don't ever get round to it. You get people therefore with IANTD Trimix but no rescue skills.....

Interestingly, when doing instructor quals the area most candidates have trouble with are rescue skills.

Its the best PADI course there is and I have a guilt trip that I have not re-taken mine even though it was 14 years ago. I really ought to refresh those skills.....

In general I don't favour the "get lots of C Cards" approach to diving. PADI speciality courses and all that, then loads of tech stuff. I do think though that this side of the sport is important. Its the one and only area that I think BSAC has the edge - they have the system in place to keep these skills current. That's not to say rush out and join or anything like that - there are other arguments as to whether to be in a club or not and they should be the decision making criteria for that, not the usual (pointless) BSAC vs PADI twaddle. I simply think that the PADI Rescue should be the goal of all PADI divers and a prerequisite to all tech courses with other agencies (or the new PADI/DSAT stuff). I also think it is something that needs to be done every so often to keep those skills current and to update you if like me it was a while back.

Damn. Now I've talked myself into spending money.

Go for it mate - its very worthwhile.
Chris

[daveyclayton]

People will tell you that you'll get more out of the rescue course if you go into it with some experience. That's a no-brainer really, I'm sure it's true of most things, but you'll keep those skills and experiences with you as you progress.

I was inexperienced when I did my rescue diver, I found it fairly challenging but worthwhile, and it made me a better diver.

The only thing I would say is that it will help if you can dive without concentrating on diving, becuase you'll have other things to concentrate on, If that makes sense.

[Jules]

I would say better sooner rather than later. I would see Rescue diver as the minimum level of training everyone doing the PADI route needs to get to. Having said that, you do need to be reasonably competent to actually carry out a lot of the exercises. How many dives have you done? How good is your bouyancy control? and general squared-away-ness of diving. If those still need work then get some dives under your belt in a variety of conditions. Speak to who ever you are training with and see what they say. Also remember you need to continually practice those rescue skills once you have done them once.

Hope that helps

Jules

[Mark Powell]

I would also say as soon as possible. A rescus course (irrespective of agency) will improve your buoyancy skills, confidence in the water and ability to help in the case of an emergency.

[Jules]

Originally Posted by daveyclayton

The only thing I would say is that it will help if you can dive without concentrating on diving, becuase you'll have other things to concentrate on, If that makes sense.

yes, Davey has summed it up nicely there

Jules

[KimH]

Definitely do it sooner but make sure you check out the instructor and get one that will put you through your paces. It should be hard work but that only makes it all the more worthwhile and confidence building.

[John Gulliver]

I'm in two minds on this issue. I definitely agree that every PADI diver should do the Rescue Diver course and do it as soon as he or she feels ready for it but I also agree that you need to have mastered the basic skills first, and that does take time, unless you're a natural. I wasn't . I don't believe anybody is ready to take the RD course right after doing the OW and AOW courses. So my advice would be to concentrate on getting in as much diving as possible for the time being. You'll know when you're ready to do the RD course.

[Ratbag]

I'm not sure I would call myself a natural but I do seem to have the buoyancy soerted (both wetsuit and drysuit) and feel pretty together under the water.

I will have a word with the place where I did my courses as I am getting a little concerned about the high level of 'incidents' recently and would like to think I have at least the skills to give me and my buddy a fighting chance...we don't take risks but sometimes it isn't always up to you, I guess...

Oh, by the way, I've done 20 dives logged. Some in warm water (Sharm, Mombasa & Gozo) and some in Stoney...

[Lou]

I ti s a bit of a tricky one, however my experience suggests that you will certainly get more out fo the PADI course with reasonable experience under your belt. This includes knowing your kit, have good bouyancy control and being able to concentrate on someone else other than your self whilst underwater.

I did the course after about 70 dives and I can say with my hand on my heart that those doing it straight after AOW were not capable of taking it all in and, crucially, being able to apply the skills to their own diving situations. They struggled with some of the exercises - not the the extent of being unable to complete them in the controlled environment of Dosthill, but certainly to the extent that asking them to do the same again, under stress, in the sea would have been just too much.

I would suggest that something like 50 dives should be a good time to think about doing RD. However the phrase "as soon as you can" pretty much covers it. if you take that as "as soon as you think you have the general ability to be able to rescue someone, learn how" rather than "as soon as you can get on the course". Until then think carefully about what you would do in an emergency.

Lou