Rescue Diver Course
Become a Better Diver. Become a Better Buddy.
The Rescue Diver Course is one of the most important steps in a recreational diver's development.
Instead of focusing only on your own diving skills, Rescue Diver training teaches you how to recognize problems before they become emergencies, respond effectively when something goes wrong, and assist divers in distress.
Through knowledge development, confined-water practice, open-water exercises, and realistic rescue scenarios, you'll develop greater awareness, confidence, and responsibility as a diver.
This course is challenging. It is practical. And it can change the way you dive forever.
Course Fee
₱22,500/person
Rescue Diver + Emergency First Response (EFR)
₱18,500/person
Rescue Diver Course Only
Rescue-only pricing applies to students who already have valid/current CPR and First Aid training that meets the training agency's requirements.
Private instruction and additional training days are available upon request.
Course Duration - 3 Days
The standard program consists of:
Knowledge development
Self-rescue review
Confined/shallow-water training
Open-water rescue exercises
Emergency scenarios
Final assessment
The schedule may be extended if additional practice is required or if weather and sea conditions affect the training.
Current Philippine Rescue Diver programs commonly run around 2–3 days, while some providers schedule the course over at least 3 days.
Course Structure
Day 1 – Knowledge Development & Self-Rescue
The course begins with the theory and decision-making skills required for effective rescue response.
Topics include:
Diver stress
Prevention of diving accidents
Recognizing problems
Self-rescue
Emergency management
Diver communication
Equipment considerations
Emergency action planning
Rescue priorities
Recognizing tired, panicked, and unresponsive divers
Students also review essential self-rescue skills and prepare for the practical rescue exercises.
Day 2 – Rescue Skills
Students practice rescue techniques in confined or controlled open-water environments.
Training may include:
Assisting tired divers
Responding to panicked divers
Surface rescue techniques
Underwater rescue techniques
Helping distressed divers establish positive buoyancy
Removing equipment when appropriate
Assisting an unresponsive diver
Towing techniques
Emergency exits
Surface support
Basic emergency equipment procedures
The emphasis is on problem recognition, controlled response, communication, and safe execution.
Day 3 – Rescue Scenarios
The final stage puts the skills together through realistic scenarios.
Students may be required to respond to simulated situations involving:
Missing divers
Panicked divers
Unresponsive divers
Problems at the surface
Problems underwater
Tired divers
Emergency exits
Diver recovery
Emergency response coordination
The objective is to develop the ability to think, assess, and act, rather than simply perform memorized skills.
Emergency First Response / First Aid
Current CPR and First Aid training is an important prerequisite for Rescue Diver.
If the student does not have valid CPR/First Aid training within the required period, the Emergency First Response course can be completed together with Rescue Diver training.
Rescue + EFR Package
₱22,500/person
Includes:
Emergency First Response Primary Care
Emergency First Response Secondary Care
CPR
AED awareness/training where applicable
First Aid
Rescue Diver training
The exact EFR curriculum follows the selected training agency's current standards.
Package Inclusions
Rescue Diver Course
Professional Dive Instructor
Knowledge development
Digital learning materials, where applicable
Self-rescue review
Confined/shallow-water training
Open-water rescue exercises
Rescue scenarios
Scuba tanks required for training
Complete scuba equipment rental
BCD
Regulators
Mask
Fins
Wetsuit/rash guard, when appropriate
Weights and weight belt
Dive computer
Boat transportation for scheduled training dives
Dive-site/environmental fees where applicable
Surface support
Emergency scenario equipment
Course assessment
Certification processing
Digital certification/eCard, depending on agency
Instructor debriefings
Rescue + EFR Package
Also includes:
EFR Primary Care
EFR Secondary Care
CPR training
First Aid training
EFR certification
Not Included
Accommodation
Meals and drinks
Transportation to/from Samal
Ferry/vehicle transportation
Personal travel insurance
Personal dive insurance
Nitrox
Personal dive equipment, if the student chooses to use their own
Medical examination or physician clearance, if required
Additional training days caused by student skill requirements
Additional boat trips outside the scheduled course
Additional dives outside course requirements
Prerequisites
Students must meet the requirements of the selected training agency.
For the standard Rescue Diver pathway, the diver must generally:
Hold an appropriate qualifying certification
Be at least 12 years old for the standard Rescue Diver pathway
Have completed the required navigation component
Have current CPR and First Aid training within the required period
Current Rescue Diver requirements specifically call for an Adventure Diver-level qualification with the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive completed, plus current CPR/First Aid training; EFR can be completed alongside the Rescue course where applicable.
What You Will Learn
By completing the course, you will develop skills in:
Prevention
Learn to recognize situations that could develop into diving emergencies.
Recognition
Learn to identify signs of:
Stress
Panic
Fatigue
Distress
Unresponsiveness
Other potentially dangerous situations
Response
Learn how to respond appropriately while protecting yourself and the diver you are assisting.
Rescue
Develop practical skills for assisting divers both underwater and at the surface.
Emergency Management
Learn how to organize an effective response and work with other divers and surface support.
Why Rescue Diver?
Rescue training changes your mindset.
As an Open Water diver, you primarily focus on managing your own dive.
As a Rescue Diver, you begin developing the awareness to recognize what is happening with your buddy and the surrounding dive team.
The course helps you become:
More aware
More confident
More prepared
More capable
A better dive buddy
It is also an important foundation for divers who plan to progress toward professional-level training.
Is Rescue Diver a Professional Certification?
No.
Rescue Diver is still a recreational-level certification.
However, it is an important prerequisite or foundation for many professional progression pathways, including Divemaster training, depending on the training agency.
It does not qualify you to:
Teach scuba diving
Guide divers professionally
Conduct technical diving
Conduct cave diving
Perform professional rescue operations
Provide medical treatment beyond your training
Training Conditions
Rescue exercises may be conducted in:
Swimming pool
Confined water
Shallow open water
Boat-accessed dive sites
Training locations will be selected based on the exercise requirements and current environmental conditions.
Weather & Safety Policy
Rescue training involves physically demanding exercises and realistic scenarios.
Training may be modified, delayed, relocated, or postponed because of:
Strong currents
Waves
Poor visibility
Weather
Sea conditions
Equipment problems
Student fatigue
Medical concerns
Other safety considerations
Safety takes priority over completing the planned schedule.
What to Bring
Please bring:
Valid diving certification
Dive logbook
Personal dive equipment, if available
Swimwear
Towel
Extra clothes
Sunscreen
Drinking water
Personal identification
Personal medications, if required
Students using their own equipment are encouraged to bring the configuration they normally dive with.
Student Assessment
Rescue Diver is a performance-based course.
Students must demonstrate that they can safely perform the required skills and respond appropriately during rescue exercises and scenarios.
The instructor may provide additional practice when a student needs more time to develop a particular skill.
The goal is competence—not simply completion.
Recommended Preparation
Before starting the course, students should be comfortable with:
Basic buoyancy
Controlled ascents and descents
Mask and regulator skills
Underwater communication
Basic navigation
Equipment setup
Buddy procedures
Students who have not dived recently may benefit from completing a Scuba Refresher Course before starting Rescue Diver.
Continue Your Diving Journey
After Rescue Diver, you can continue progressing toward:
Divemaster
Specialty Diver
Sidemount Diver
Technical Diving
Deep Diving
Technical Sidemount
Cave Diving
CCR / Rebreather Diving
For divers interested in professional diving, Rescue Diver is one of the key milestones before moving into professional-level training.
Ready to Become a More Capable Diver?
Learn to recognize problems.
Learn to prevent accidents.
Learn to respond.
Learn to help.
RESCUE DIVER COURSE
3 Days | ₱18,500
RESCUE + EFR
3 Days | ₱22,500
Seantric Diving – Samal Island
Be the diver your buddy can rely on.