PADI Course
Rescue Diver
The most challenging — and most transformative — course in recreational diving.
⏰Offer ends June 30, 2026
💡Healthcare workers / students / returning students get discounts. WhatsApp for details.
Duration
3-4 days
Max Depth
Max 30 metres
Prerequisite
PADI AOW + Emergency First Response (EFR) certification
Certification
PADI Rescue Diver (lifetime cert)
Course Overview
Rescue Diver is widely considered the most demanding course in the PADI recreational diving system. The curriculum covers self-rescue, recognizing and managing diver stress, emergency management, and a series of realistic rescue scenario exercises.
Almost every diver who completes Rescue says the same thing: hardest course they've done, and the most meaningful. The reason is simple — it transforms you from a diver focused only on your own dive into one who can protect yourself and the people around you.
You'll need a valid Emergency First Response (EFR) certification before or alongside Rescue. If you don't have one yet, I can arrange it — EFR takes about one day and covers CPR and First Aid.
Rescue Diver is also a mandatory prerequisite for PADI Divemaster certification. If you're considering a career path in diving, Rescue is a required step.
Who is this course for?
An honest look at who this course is — and isn't — for.
This course is for you if…
- AOW divers with solid dive experience (20+ logged dives recommended)
- Want complete confidence and capability in any dive environment
- Considering Divemaster or further professional development
- Frequently dive with family or friends and want the ability to protect others
- Interested in emergency management and take diving safety seriously
Maybe not for you if…
- Fewer than 20 logged dives (scenario work is very difficult with unstable foundational skills)
- No EFR certification and unable to arrange it in the near term
- Uncomfortable with high-intensity scenario work (e.g., rescuing an unresponsive diver)
- Basic buoyancy not yet stable (Rescue assumes your foundational skills are already reliable)
Course Schedule
Actual scheduling adapts to weather and your progress.
Phase 1 — Knowledge development
First aid foundations + rescue theory
Complete PADI Rescue Diver online knowledge development: recognizing and responding to diver stress, accident prevention mindset, and emergency response procedures. EFR can be arranged in this phase if needed.
In addition to the online PADI eLearning, theory includes in-person discussion and Q&A. Conducted in Tsim Sha Tsui by default. If you can't attend in person, sessions can be moved to Zoom or arranged at a designated café.
Phase 2 — In-water skills
Confined water skill exercises
Practice all core rescue skills in the pool: self-rescue procedures, approaching and towing a tired diver, handling an unresponsive diver at the surface, in-water CPR. Each skill repeated until the response becomes instinct.
Phase 3 — Scenario exercises
Open water rescue scenarios
Complete multiple realistic rescue scenarios in open water: managing a panicking diver at the surface, locating and rescuing an unresponsive diver underwater, emergency ascent and follow-up first aid. Scenarios are realistic but fully supervised.
What's included?
All costs transparent — no hidden fees.
Included
- Full PADI-certified instructor guidance
- All equipment rental
- Boat fees
- Insurance
- PADI Rescue Diver certification fee (PIC)
- EFR course can be arranged separately (additional cost)
Not included
- Lunch (BYO or buy on boat)
- EFR course fee (if arranged separately)
Healthcare workers and students get an additional HK$200 off with valid ID
Safety is non-negotiable
Rescue Diver is inherently about improving safety awareness — all training scenarios are conducted in a controlled, supervised environment. The instructor playing a "victim" in scenarios uses clear stop signals at all times, and any exercise can be paused instantly.
Every skill exercise has a thorough safety briefing before it begins. The first time you encounter an unresponsive diver scenario, I walk through each step slowly and methodically, so you fully understand the process before attempting it — I won't drop you into something you're unprepared for.
EFR certification is a genuine prerequisite, not a formality — surface first aid skills matter as much as in-water skills in a real emergency. If your EFR is more than 2 years old, I recommend refreshing it before starting Rescue.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions students ask about this course.
Related Courses
What you might want to explore next.
Advanced Open Water Diver
Dive to 30 metres, complete 5 adventure dives, and become a more confident diver.
Divemaster
Your first PADI professional rating — from dive enthusiast to dive leader.
Want to learn more about Rescue Diver?
Message me on WhatsApp first. I'll reply within 24 hours.
Ask about the Rescue Diver courseNot sure what to ask? Try:
- ·「Should I learn diving in Hong Kong or overseas?」
- ·「How much does the OW course typically cost?」
- ·「I want to start next month — is it possible to arrange?」
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