Course overview

Become a more confident, capable diver with the PADI Rescue Diver course in Phuket, widely regarded as the most rewarding step in recreational training. You learn to prevent and manage problems in and out of the water across the Andaman Sea's reef sites, building the self-rescue and buddy-assistance skills that underpin every professional rating. Rescue Diver is the prerequisite for Divemaster.

What you’ll learn

• Recognise and manage diver stress before it becomes an emergency
• Perform self-rescue and tired-diver tows
• Respond to panicked divers at the surface and underwater
• Search for, surface and tow an unresponsive diver
• Provide in-water rescue breaths and exit techniques
• Plan and coordinate an emergency response with your buddy team

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 12 (Junior Rescue Diver)
• PADI Adventure Diver with the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive, or equivalent
• Emergency First Response training within the last 24 months
• Diver medical clearance signed by a physician

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
   Knowledge and self-rescue

   Complete the theory and exam, then practise self-rescue and stress-recognition skills.
2. Day2
   Rescue exercises

   Work through the ten core rescue exercises in calm conditions, from tired-diver tows to unresponsive-diver recovery.
3. Day3
   Scenarios and certification

   Complete two realistic open-water rescue scenarios at a local reef and certify as a Rescue Diver.

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 Phuket.

Frequently asked questions