Course overview

Build the confidence to act in an emergency with the PADI Emergency First Response course in Hikkaduwa, a dry, non-diving programme open to everyone. Over a single day you learn CPR, first aid and the use of an AED through hands-on practice, gaining skills that double as the prerequisite for the Rescue Diver course. It is the ideal first step before progressing into rescue and professional-level diver training on Sri Lanka's south coast.

What you’ll learn

• Perform adult CPR and rescue breathing
• Manage a scene and prioritise care for an injured person
• Control serious bleeding and treat for shock
• Use an automated external defibrillator (AED)
• Provide basic first aid for common injuries and illnesses
• Recognise when emergency medical help is needed

Prerequisites

• No prior experience or certification required
• No minimum age for participation (often taken from around 10 upward)
• Suitable for non-divers and divers alike
• No swimming or in-water component

What's included · What's not

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Primary & secondary care

   Classroom briefing followed by CPR, AED and first-aid skill practice, with scenario workshops to consolidate the techniques in one day.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Hikkaduwa.

Frequently asked questions