1.1 INTRODUCTION
The rescue certification course is designed to develop the knowledge and necessary skills for an individual to effectively perform diver rescues and assists, and administer necessary first aid.

1.2 QUALIFICATIONS OF GRADUATES
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may:
1. Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are able to conduct rescues to distressed divers.
2. Upon successful completion on this course, graduates are qualified to:
A. Enroll in the SDI Divemaster Course.
B. Enroll in the Master Diver Program

1.3 WHO MAY TEACH
Who may teach this course?
3. An active SDI Instructor.

1.4 STUDENT – INSTRUCTOR RATIO
Academic:
4. Unlimited, so long as adequate facility, supplies and time are provided to insure comprehensive and complete training.
Confined Water (Swimming pool-like conditions):
5. A maximum of ten (10) students per Instructor.
6. Instructors have the option of adding two (2) more students with the assistance of an Active Assistant Instructor or Divemaster.
7. The total number of students an instructor may have in the water is twelve (12) with the assistance of one (1) Assistant Instructors or Divemasters.
Open Water (Ocean, lake, quarry, spring, river or estuary):
8. A maximum of eight (8) students per Instructor are allowed. However, it is the instructor’s discretion to reduce this number as conditions dictate.
9. Instructors have the option of adding two (2) more students with the assistance of an active Assistant Instructor or Divemaster.
10. The total number of students an instructor may have in the water is ten (10) with the assistance of one (1) Assistant Instructors or Divemasters.

1.5 STUDENT PRE-REQUISITES
11. Minimum age eighteen (18).
12. Minimum age fifteen (15) with parental consent.
13. Current CPR and First Aid certification.
14. Advanced Diver certification or forty (40) logged Open Water dives.

1.6 COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION
Instructors are required to teach and evaluate all the following skills:
15. On the surface identify and assist a properly equipped skin or scuba diver simulating:
A. Breathing difficulties.
B. Tiredness.
C. Leg cramp.
D. Early panic symptoms.
16. Locate and bring to the surface a scuba diver simulating unconsciousness to the surface from approximately six (6) msw / twenty (20) fsw.
17. Upon surfacing, transport the unconscious diver fifty (50) meter / one hundred and fifty (150) feet to shore or boat, simulating in-water rescue breathing.
18. Once reaching the shore or boat, with the assistance of one (1) aid, removing the diver from the water.
Course Structure:
19. SDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of students participating and their skill level.
Duration:
20. The suggested number of training hours is twelve (12).
21. Of the suggested twelve (12) hours, eight (8) of the suggested hours should be performed in Open Water conditions.

1.7 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Administrative Tasks:
22. Collect the course fees from all the students.
23. Ensure that the students have the required equipment.
24. Communicate the schedule to the students.
25. Have the students complete the Liability Release and Medical history forms.
26. The Instructor should review the Liability Release and Medical Forms before starting on the course.
Upon successful completion of the course the Instructor must:
27. Issuing a SDI Certification card. Complete and submit the Registration Form to SDI HQ.
28. Award card.

1.8 REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Basic SDI Open Water SCUBA equipment as prescribed earlier in this manual, with the addition of a cutting device.

1.9 REQUIRED SUBJECT AREAS
The SDI Rescue Diver manual is available for this course. Instructors may use any additional text or materials that they feel help present these topics. The following topics must be covered during this course:
Instructors are required to cover all the following topics:
29. Prevention and causes of diving accidents
A. Stress and psychological factors i.e. the panic syndrome in self and others.
B. Physical conditioning.
C. Equipment.
D. Surface drowning syndrome.
30. Diving lifesaving
A. Self rescue.
B. Diver assists.
C. Surface and underwater rescues.
D. Types of transports.
E. In-water artificial respiration.
F. Boat and shore exit techniques.
G. Diver First Aid.
H. Introduction to O2 administration.
31. Hyperbaric injuries and management
A. Information collection.
B. Access to hyperbaric chambers.
32. Accident management
A. Access to emergency transport/assistance.
B. Accident reporting.
C. Liability and related legal considerations.

1.10 REQUIRED SKILL PERFORMANCE AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
In order to complete this course, students must:
33. Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive emergency planning and execution.
34. Complete all open water requirements safely and efficiently.
35. Satisfactorily complete the SDI Rescue Diver written examination located in the SDI Rescue Manual or equivalent.