TRAINING The Value of the Rescue Diver Course for Retailers – by Patrick Hammer, PADI CD-4325
Some dive centers don’t sell the Res- cue Diver program because they don’t see its value – for the diver or the shop. I’d like to address both points. I’ve conducted Rescue Diver training since the early 1970s and have always
pared to handle them is infinitely better than swimming away for help. In all my years teaching this class, I’ve never met a diver who felt it was a waste of time or money. Most find it enjoyable and rewarding, especially when the skills are taught realistically. For example, when I teach the out - of - air skill, I’ll remove my regulator and see how quickly students respond, keeping my alternate in hand just in case. When students practice bringing an unconscious diver to the surface, I play ‘dead’ as realistically as possible. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve been dropped when a student tried to establish buoy- ancy! These exercises, along with shore or boat exits, are crit- ical for producing strong rescue divers. From a dive center’s point of view, offering the Rescue Diver program has multiple benefits. It creates better - pre- pared divers, develops eager learners who often continue their education, and encourages equipment sales. Most rescue divers already own or soon buy their equipment, which ben- efits the shop. The Rescue Diver program also allows centers to introduce other courses, like First Aid, CPR, and O2 Provider, making it a win - win for both the shop and the stu- dents. Better still, many Rescue Diver candidates continue training and move on to Master Scuba Diver or Divemaster courses, creating yet another revenue stream. Even for instructors, teaching the Rescue Diver course sharpens our own skills. In the unlikely event we have to per- form a rescue ourselves, this training becomes second nature. So when teaching in a busy area, make sure the public knows it’s a class in progress. I used to post a sign on the beach stat- ing, “Rescue Class in Session – Do Not Call for Help.” At the end of the day, we can all make the diving industry safer by teaching the Rescue Diver program. It’s a rewarding
considered it one of the best courses available – for both divers and dive centers. From a diver’s perspective, it’s more than just a confidence - building program. It allows students to gain more experience under a professional’s supervision. A new diver completing the rescue program doesn’t just be- come better equipped to help others; they also become more focused on equipment, site setup, and dive planning. All of these abilities are strengthened in the Rescue Diver class.
Then, of course, there are the in - water skills. The diver learns self - rescue techniques and how to aid a buddy. This is a huge benefit for the dive center. When you have a group of divers in the water, it’s like gaining more eyes watching for potential is- sues. It makes the whole industry safer. The Rescue Diver pro-
gram teaches land, surface, and underwater rescue tech- niques. We’d all like to believe that a diver who completes this course will never run into trouble, but that’s simply not reality. No one can predict when a massive air loss or medical issue might arise underwater. Training more divers to re- spond effectively is an enormous benefit. I once heard an instructor tell a student, “If you take this class, you’ll never run out of air” – as if an O - ring could never blow. These statements do more harm than good. It’s far better to be honest: problems can arise, but being pre-
class that benefits students, instructors, dive centers – and the sport itself. Enjoy your career, have fun teaching the Rescue Diver class, and remember: you might just be teaching a skill that saves a life one day.
email Pat
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker