Rescue Diver
& EFR

The PADI Rescue Diver course is a challenging yet rewarding course, which prepares you to handle dive emergencies and assist others in need. Through a combination of knowledge development, skill exercises, and realistic rescue scenarios, you'll learn to prevent and manage diving incidents, conduct underwater searches, provide proper assistance, and perform emergency rescue techniques.

The course emphasises teamwork, situational awareness, and problem-solving, enhancing your ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations. By completing the Rescue Diver course, you'll not only become a safer and more responsible diver, but also gain a deeper understanding of diving as a whole. It's a course that empowers you to look out for the well-being of your fellow divers and contribute to a safer diving community.

Rescue Gallery

The program

The course is typically completed in 2 to 3 days and includes a mix of eLearning, confined water training, and open water rescue scenarios.

eLearning (Before You Begin)

Complete your PADI Rescue Diver eLearning in your preferred language — online and at your own pace, before or during your stay.

Emergency First Response (EFR)

To begin Rescue training, you must have EFR (Emergency First Response) certification (Primary & Secondary Care) within the last 24 months.

Don’t have it yet? No problem — we offer the EFR course right here at the dive centre. It takes just half a day and can be completed before starting your Rescue training.

What You’ll Learn

Self-rescue and diver stress management
Recognizing and responding to diver emergencies
Assisting panicked or unresponsive divers
Surface and underwater rescue techniques
Emergency planning, equipment use, and scenario practice

What’s Included

PADI Rescue Diver eLearning
Full scuba equipment
Emergency First Response training (if needed)
Confined water training in our private pool
Open water scenarios at Tanote Bay, one of Koh Tao’s best natural training sites
PADI Rescue Diver certification
Free transportation from any meeting point on Koh Tao

Training Locations

Confined water sessions take place in our private training pool, just steps from the classroom.
Open water scenarios are conducted in Tanote Bay, known for its calm conditions and ideal environment for realistic rescue training.

Prerequisites

At least 12 years old (12- to 14-year-old divers may earn Junior Rescue Diver certifications)
PADI (Junior) Adventure Diver certification – must have completed the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive, or Advanced Open Water.
Confidence in the water and good physical health
EFR (Emergency First Response) Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months. Training may be completed along with the rescue diver course.

Please note: If you have successfully finished a First aid and CPR course with a PADI recognised organisation in the past 2 years, you are exempt from the EFR course.

Price

Our Rescue Diver Packages

In addition Rescue Diver Course, we offer a selection of packages (see below) which include a number of accommodation options located at our Dive School site. Check out the room options at