PADI Rescue Diver
Build real rescue skills in the calm, clear water off Nilaveli. Three days: self-rescue and pool drills, then open-water rescue exercises and scenarios from the boat, with Emergency First Response included.
Rescue Diver is the course where you stop thinking only about your own dive and start looking after everyone in the water. You learn to spot trouble early and to deal with it when it happens: a tired diver, a panicked diver, a missing diver, an unresponsive diver at the surface or below it. Emergency First Response is part of the course, so you build the CPR and first-aid foundation the rescues rest on, and we run it in-house. It is the most demanding course before the professional levels, and the one most divers tell us they enjoyed most. You practise it in open water off our boat, not as theory in a classroom.
What’s included
- Emergency First Response, all rescue exercises and both open-water scenarios
- All PADI course materials and certification fees
- PADI e-learning — the link is sent by our manager after you book; complete it before Day 1
- Full equipment throughout, plus water, tea and snacks
- A day-by-day schedule in your confirmation and reminder emails
- Book with a 50% deposit online; the remaining 50% is paid in person on Day 1
Not included
- GoPro photos and video (not included on PADI courses)
- DAN dive insurance (recommended)
Good to know
PADI (or equivalent) Adventure Diver with the Underwater Navigation dive, or Advanced Open Water. Minimum age 12. Current EFR Primary and Secondary Care within the last 24 months, which is included in this course. You confirm the prerequisites at booking.
Highlights
- Emergency First Response included, run in-house.
- Learn self-rescue and how to help other divers.
- Real rescues in open water off the boat, not classroom theory.
Requirements
- PADI (or equivalent) Adventure Diver with the Underwater Navigation adventure dive, or Advanced Open Water.
- Minimum age 12. Current EFR Primary and Secondary Care within the last 24 months, included in this course.
- Diver medical questionnaire, and your e-learning completed before Day 1.
Programme & duration
Three days. Day 1 is Emergency First Response and pool work; Days 2 and 3 are open-water rescue exercises and scenarios from the boat. See the day-by-day times in the schedule above.
Medical, flight & insurance
Most people answer “no” to every question on the diver medical questionnaire and are cleared to dive. A “yes” to any question means a physician must sign the medical form confirming you’re fit to dive — bring the signed form with you on Day 1.
Planning to fly after diving? PADI and DAN recommend waiting at least 12 hours after a single dive, 18 hours after multiple dives, and ideally 24 hours for complete peace of mind.
We recommend DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network) dive insurance — recommended, not required, and no sign-up is needed to book. Dive safe, dive insured — get covered with DAN →
What to bring
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Biodegradable sunscreen
- Your certification card
Meeting & pick-up
- Arrive 30 minutes before your start time — for registration, briefing and equipment fitting.
- Our centre is right on the beach — most accommodation is a short walk or tuk tuk away. There is no tuk tuk pick-up service on the east coast.
- Your confirmation email carries the exact meeting point and time.
Who it’s for
For: Certified divers who want to dive with more confidence and be the buddy others can count on.
Not for: Not for new or uncertified divers. Build up through Open Water and Adventure Diver first.
Choose your date
September 2026
Select a date to see availability for PADI Rescue Diver.