Academic Study

The academic section of the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course introduces you to the fundamentals of stress management, rescue techniques, and emergency protocols. Using SSI’s interactive e-learning platform, you’ll explore key topics such as:

• Recognizing signs of stress in both yourself and other divers
• Accident prevention strategies for various underwater situations
• Emergency protocols for managing common dive-related issues
• Communication techniques to remain calm under pressure
• Risk assessment for planning safe dives
• Post-rescue management including care for victims after an emergency

This self-paced academic training is reinforced with quizzes and case studies, helping you build a strong understanding of rescue concepts before progressing to the water sessions.

Confined Water Sessions

The confined water sessions offer hands-on practice with essential rescue skills in a controlled environment, allowing you to develop confidence in a low-pressure setting. Key skills covered include:

• Panicked diver response: Approaching and calming a diver in distress
• Tired diver assist: Towing and supporting an exhausted diver
• Unconscious diver recovery: Bringing an unresponsive diver to the surface safely
• Rescue breathing in water: Providing rescue breaths while towing a diver to safety
• Equipment removal techniques: Managing your own gear and that of an injured diver
• Emergency buoyancy control: Inflating or adjusting buoyancy devices to assist a diver
• Buddy rescue scenarios: Working with a partner to perform simulated rescues
• Communication skills: Using clear hand signals and surface signals in emergencies

These practice drills ensure that you are well-prepared to handle real-world emergencies confidently and efficiently before advancing to open water sessions.

Open Water Sessions

The open water sessions put your academic knowledge and confined water skills to the test in real-world conditions. You’ll participate in multiple scenarios designed to simulate dive emergencies, building your ability to react under pressure. Skills developed during these sessions include:

• Identifying stress indicators: Spotting early signs of diver stress during a dive
• Executing surface rescues: Assisting panicked or tired divers at the surface
• Unconscious diver recovery: Retrieving and surfacing an unresponsive diver
• Rescue from depth: Managing buoyancy and ascent with an injured or unconscious diver
• Simulated emergency scenarios: Responding to multiple emergencies during a dive
• Oxygen administration: Learning how to use emergency oxygen for dive-related injuries
• Team-based rescues: Coordinating with other divers to manage complex situations

These open water sessions provide valuable, real-world experience, helping you apply your skills under realistic conditions. You’ll leave the course with the confidence and capability to respond to emergencies calmly and effectively, enhancing your safety and that of your dive buddies.