Rescue Diver prerequisites
Advanced Open Water
Students must hold a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent recognized advanced-level certification.
CPR + First Aid
CPR and First Aid training must have been completed within the previous 24 months.
Add Emergency First Response before Rescue.
If your CPR and First Aid training is not current within the previous 24 months, BPDC can complete the Emergency First Response course with you before beginning the in-water Rescue training.
Your Rescue Diver training schedule
Rescue normally takes two days when your CPR and First Aid training is already current. If you need Emergency First Response first, an additional training day is added.
Emergency First Response
Complete CPR and First Aid training when your existing qualification is more than 24 months old or you do not already have qualifying training.
View Emergency First Response →Pool Sessions & Rescue Practice
Work with your instructor through rescue techniques, emergency awareness, problem-solving and in-water practice in a controlled environment.
Water Skills & Rescue Scenarios
Apply what you've learned through open-water exercises and realistic scenarios designed to bring the different elements of your Rescue training together.
Your Rescue training can normally be completed in two days, beginning with the pool and training sessions followed by the open-water day.
Build confidence handling real diving problems
Rescue training combines prevention, awareness and practical response so you become more confident recognizing and managing problems involving yourself or another diver.
Prevention, awareness and emergency response
Your training covers how to recognize and respond to common diver problems, assist divers in difficulty, manage underwater and surface emergencies and work through realistic rescue situations with your instructor.
Rescue Diver training for ages 12+
The certification earned depends on the student's age when the Rescue course is completed.
Junior Rescue Diver
PADI Rescue Diver
Maximum 4 students per instructor
Rescue training is limited to a maximum of four students per instructor, allowing close guidance throughout pool practice and open-water scenarios.
What's included?
Your Rescue Training
- Instructor-led Rescue Diver training
- Pool rescue sessions
- Open-water rescue exercises
- Final rescue scenarios
- Required scuba equipment
- Tanks and weights when required
- Maximum 4 students per instructor
Taxes & Prerequisites
- 12.5% Government Sales Tax
- Emergency First Response if required
- Pickup transportation when applicable
Pickup can be coordinated upon request. Additional charges may apply depending on location.
PADI Rescue Diver Course
The Rescue Diver price covers the Rescue course itself. Emergency First Response is only added when your CPR and First Aid requirement still needs to be completed.
Rescue training includes:
- Pool training sessions
- Rescue practice and exercises
- Open-water scenarios
- Required scuba equipment
- Tanks and weights when required
- PADI instructor supervision
Add the EFR course when you do not already have qualifying CPR and First Aid training from within the previous 24 months.
Pickup can be coordinated upon request. Additional charges may apply depending on location.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Advanced Open Water before Rescue Diver?
Yes. BPDC requires students to already hold a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent recognized advanced-level certification.
Do I need CPR and First Aid training?
Yes. CPR and First Aid training must have been completed within the previous 24 months before completing Rescue Diver.
What if my CPR and First Aid training has expired?
BPDC can complete the Emergency First Response course with you before the in-water Rescue training. The EFR course is $185 USD plus 12.5% GST.
Is EFR included in the $400 Rescue Diver price?
No. The $400 USD price covers the Rescue Diver course. Emergency First Response is a separate $185 USD course and is only necessary when the CPR and First Aid prerequisite still needs to be completed.
How long does Rescue Diver take?
Rescue Diver normally takes two days when your CPR and First Aid training is already current. If you also need to complete Emergency First Response, the overall training normally takes three days.
What happens during the course?
Your in-water training begins with pool sessions and rescue practice, followed by open-water skills, exercises and realistic rescue scenarios.
What skills will I learn?
The course develops your ability to recognize and respond to common diver problems, assist divers in difficulty and manage realistic underwater and surface emergency situations.
What certification will younger divers receive?
Divers ages 12–14 receive Junior Rescue Diver certification. Divers age 15 and older earn the standard PADI Rescue Diver certification.
What is the maximum class size?
BPDC limits Rescue Diver training to a maximum of four students per instructor.
Is there a minimum number of students?
No. There is no minimum number of participants required for the course to operate.
Is scuba equipment included?
Yes. Required scuba equipment for the practical Rescue Diver training is included.
Is GST included in the course price?
No. A 12.5% Government Sales Tax is additional to the Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response course prices.