Rescue Diver

The Rescue Diver course at Sea Angels covers emergency recognition, prevention, and response — both at the surface and underwater. The group pool-and-theory phase costs 20,000 RUB per person (groups from three students); pair format is 24,000 RUB; individual is 28,000 RUB. Equipment rental is included in the pool phase. Study materials and the open water exam (12,000 RUB) are separate. Certification is available under PADI or SSI.

The pool phase runs through scenarios covering self-rescue, panicking diver management, unresponsive diver recovery at the surface, and CPR coordination. Theory sessions cover stress recognition, emergency planning, and accident management. The club requires completion of an Emergency First Response or SSI React Right first aid course before the open water component — EFR/React Right is available at the club from 6,000 RUB (group) and 9,000 RUB (individual), with materials and certification additional.

The open water phase is four dives conducted in a lake or during a dive trip. Skills assessed in open water include towing and extraction of an unresponsive diver, managing a dive accident scene, and coordinating with emergency services. The combination of pool drills and real open water assessment is the format used by both PADI and SSI for this certification level.

Rescue Diver is commonly considered the most demanding recreational-level course in terms of physical and mental engagement. The club has run it for more than fifteen years alongside its full catalogue. For divers aiming at the Divemaster track, Rescue Diver is a prerequisite — completing it at Sea Angels means staying with the same instructors and pool rather than sourcing it elsewhere.