Self-rescue and readiness
Review the habits and techniques that help you remain capable of assisting someone else.
PADI Rescue Diver Course | Enhance Safety & Confidence in Diving
The PADI Rescue Diver Training Will Change The Way You Dive
The PADI rescue diver course turns the serious topic of accident prevention into fun. You will learn to identify and fix minor issues before they become big problems, gain a lot of confidence and have serious fun along the way.
Learn how to think like a rescue diver through home study and skill practice with an instructor. All PADI courses are flexible and performance-based. You'll practice basic rescue skills and then show you can effectively apply them in open water.
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PADI continuing education • Sydney
PADI Rescue Diver Course in Sydney
Become the diver others can rely on. Learn to recognise problems before they become emergencies, respond calmly when something goes wrong and build the awareness, confidence and teamwork that change the way you dive.
Two practical days Hands-on rescue training
PADI eLearning Complete before training
Realistic scenarios Awareness and teamwork
CPR and First Aid Current within 24 months
Think beyond your own dive
Become a more aware, capable diver
Until now, most of your training has focused on managing your own dive. Rescue Diver shifts your attention outward: noticing stress in another diver, preventing small problems from escalating and coordinating an effective response when help is needed.
The course is challenging, practical and highly rewarding. You will solve problems, work with other divers and practise rescue techniques until you can respond with greater confidence and control.
Practical rescue skills
What you’ll learn
Build a structured approach to preventing incidents, assisting divers and managing realistic diving emergencies.
Recognising diver stress
Identify signs of stress at the surface and underwater before a manageable problem becomes an emergency.
Assisting responsive divers
Practise safe, effective ways to approach, reassure and assist tired, distressed or panicked divers.
Missing-diver response
Apply organised search procedures and use the available team and resources effectively.
Unresponsive-diver rescue
Develop a systematic response for an unresponsive diver at the surface or underwater.
Emergency management
Coordinate people, equipment, information and emergency procedures during realistic rescue scenarios.
How the course works
Learn, practise, then put it together
Complete your knowledge development before joining your instructor for two practical training days.
Complete the preparation
Finish the required PADI eLearning, knowledge development and any assigned pre-course study.
Build individual skills
Work through rescue exercises in confined and open water with coaching and feedback from your instructor.
Complete rescue scenarios
Bring your skills together by assessing situations, making decisions and working as part of a rescue team.
Check before booking
Course prerequisites
You must meet the required certification, age, First Aid and medical requirements before the relevant practical training and certification can be completed.
Qualifying diver certification
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Adventure Diver with the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive, or an accepted equivalent certification from another recognised agency.
Current CPR and First Aid
Training must have been completed within the previous 24 months. Evidence must be provided before your Rescue Diver certification can be processed.
Minimum age
The minimum age is 12. Divers aged 12 to 14 may earn Junior Rescue Diver certification, subject to PADI standards and instructor approval.
Medical fitness
Complete the required diver medical declaration. If it indicates that medical clearance is required, written clearance must be provided before in-water training.
Need CPR and First Aid training?
You can complete suitable training before or in conjunction with your Rescue Diver course. Online-only courses without hands-on practical training may not meet the prerequisite, so check with Abyss if you are unsure.
View the First Aid & CPR CourseImportant booking information
Course terms and responsibilities
Please review these requirements before booking so you arrive prepared and can complete the course as scheduled.
Attendance and preparation
- Attend every required theory, confined-water, open-water and rescue-scenario session.
- Arrive on time and ready to begin. Late arrival may prevent participation in that session.
- Complete all required eLearning, knowledge development and pre-course study before the relevant practical training.
Certification and performance requirements
Certification is not guaranteed by attendance alone. You must complete every required training component, demonstrate the rescue skills to the required standard and satisfy your instructor that you can perform the tasks safely. Additional training, remedial sessions, extra dives or rescheduling may incur additional fees.
Weather, safety and instructor discretion
Training is subject to weather, sea conditions and safety considerations. Abyss may change sites, adjust the schedule, postpone training or cancel in-water activities when conditions are unsuitable. Safety decisions made by Abyss staff and instructors are final.
Equipment and personal documents
Bring all requested personal items, certification evidence, medical clearance, CPR and First Aid evidence, swimwear, towel and exposure protection as advised. Equipment used during training must be safe, suitable and serviceable. Abyss may refuse equipment considered unsafe or unsuitable.
Cancellations, transfers and missed sessions
Cancellations, transfers, missed sessions and non-attendance are governed by Abyss Scuba Diving’s standard booking, cancellation and transfer terms. If you arrive without the required prerequisites, paperwork, medical clearance or CPR and First Aid evidence, you may be unable to participate and the normal booking conditions will apply.
By booking: you confirm that you have read and understood these requirements and that you meet, or will meet, the course prerequisites before the relevant training sessions.
Before you enrol
Frequently asked questions
Is the PADI Rescue Diver course difficult?
It is challenging, but the skills are developed progressively with instructor coaching and teamwork. The aim is to stretch your ability while helping you become a more confident and capable diver.
How long does the Rescue Diver course take?
Plan for PADI eLearning before the course followed by two practical in-water training days.
Do I need Emergency First Response specifically?
Not necessarily. Another qualifying CPR and First Aid course may be accepted if it includes suitable practical training and was completed within the previous 24 months. Check with Abyss before booking if you are unsure.
Does the PADI Rescue Diver certification expire?
The certification does not expire. However, rescue skills and confidence benefit from regular diving, ongoing practice and periodic refreshers.
What can I do after Rescue Diver?
Rescue Diver is an important step toward becoming a PADI Master Scuba Diver and is also a prerequisite on the pathway to PADI Divemaster professional training.
Ready to become a Rescue Diver?
Choose a course date and take the next step toward becoming a safer, more aware and more dependable diver.
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