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SSI Diver Stress & Rescue

The SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course is one of the most valuable and rewarding programs you can take as a diver. You’ll learn how to recognize and prevent problems before they happen, respond calmly in an emergency, and assist both yourself and other divers if something goes wrong.

Through a combination of classroom, confined water, and open water training, you’ll practice real-world skills such as assisting a tired diver, handling panicked divers at the surface and underwater, towing techniques, search patterns, and effective rescue planning. Our instructors focus on building confidence so that you feel prepared—not overwhelmed—when dealing with stress or emergencies.

Training here in the Pacific Northwest means you’ll develop these skills in realistic local conditions, making you a safer and more capable buddy wherever you travel and dive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Diver Stress & Rescue course for?
This course is ideal for certified divers who want to be safer buddies and feel more prepared to handle problems in and out of the water. It’s especially valuable for divers who frequently dive with family or friends.

What are the prerequisites?
You’ll need to be an SSI Open Water Diver (or equivalent) and have completed a recognized CPR/First Aid course within the last two years. If you need CPR/First Aid, we can help you schedule that training as well.

How long does the course take?
The program typically runs over 1–2 days of academic and pool work plus open water training dives. The exact schedule can vary based on class size, conditions, and your availability.

What skills will I learn?
You’ll learn to recognize stress in yourself and others, prevent accidents, manage emergencies, assist a panicked diver, perform surface and underwater rescues, conduct searches, and coordinate with emergency services when needed.

Do I need special equipment?
You’ll use your standard scuba kit, plus some additional rescue-related gear such as a pocket mask and signaling devices. We can help you with rentals or recommendations for any equipment you don’t already own.

Does this course count toward higher SSI ratings?
Yes. Diver Stress & Rescue is an important step toward higher recognition levels such as SSI Advanced Open Diver and SSI Master Diver, and is also excellent preparation if you’re considering professional-level training like Dive Guide.