Course overview

Build the judgement and skills to handle dive emergencies with the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course in Key Largo. Diving the protected reefs of John Pennekamp and the wider Florida Keys, you learn to spot stress early, prevent accidents and manage rescues of yourself and others. It is the certification that makes you a calmer, safer dive buddy and opens the door to SSI leadership training.

What you’ll learn

• Identify diver stress and intervene before it becomes an emergency
• Perform self-rescue and assist a struggling diver at the surface
• Search for and recover a missing or unresponsive diver
• Provide in-water rescue breaths and manage an exit
• Use emergency oxygen and signalling equipment
• Coordinate a calm, effective emergency response

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 12 (with parental consent for juniors)
• SSI Advanced Adventurer or equivalent experience certification
• Current CPR and first aid training (SSI React Right recommended, can be added)
• 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
   Stress recognition and theory

   SSI digital modules on stress, prevention and rescue, plus React Right if required.
2. Day2
   Rescue skill development

   Self-rescue and diver-assist practice in sheltered water around Key Largo.
3. Day3
   Open-water scenarios

   Run full rescue scenarios on a Pennekamp reef site and complete certification.

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 Key Largo.

Frequently asked questions