SSI Diver Stress & Rescue
See the stress. Stop the spiral.
Become the calm, capable buddy who can recognise problems early, prevent incidents and respond confidently when a diver needs help.
Confidence through preparation
A better diver notices more than the reef
This course changes how you see a dive. You will learn to identify stress in yourself and others, make safer decisions and apply practical rescue techniques in the pool and open water.
The rescue mindset
Recognise. Prevent. Respond.
Rescue training is not about waiting for a dramatic emergency. It starts with awareness, good judgement and acting before a manageable problem escalates.
Recognise
Spot physical, psychological and environmental stress before it becomes panic. Read behaviour, breathing, communication and changing conditions.
Prevent
Use preparation, communication and early intervention to reduce risk, support your buddy and keep small problems small.
Respond
Practise structured responses for tired, distressed, panicked and unresponsive divers at the surface and underwater.
Your three-day course
From knowledge to real-world scenarios
Build progressively—from emergency-response foundations to controlled practice, then realistic ocean rescue scenarios.
Orientation & React Right
Review emergency planning, first aid, CPR and oxygen-provider skills alongside your SSI digital learning.
Pool & beach scenarios
Learn rescue skills in a controlled setting, refresh core diving techniques and combine them in shore-based scenarios.
Ocean rescue scenarios
Apply your awareness, problem-solving and rescue skills in realistic open-water situations from the boat.
Your practical toolkit
Skills that make you a stronger buddy
Entry requirements
Are you ready to enrol?
- Minimum age of 12 years
- Open Water Diver certification or an accepted equivalent before certification
- Physically capable of completing the required rescue skills
- Current Oxygen Provider, First Aid and CPR training completed within the previous two years
- Completed diver medical questionnaire and medical clearance where required
Included with Ocean Tribe
Training, equipment and support
Includes SSI digital materials and the Ocean Tribe course inclusions shown above.
Why take this course?
Confidence is not luck. It is trained.
Diver Stress & Rescue is widely considered one of the most rewarding steps in continuing education. It sharpens your awareness, strengthens your problem-solving and prepares you for SSI professional pathways including Dive Guide and Divemaster.
Quick answers
Before you book
Do I need to be an advanced diver?
No. You must hold an Open Water Diver certification or recognised equivalent before certification, alongside the other stated prerequisites.
How physically demanding is the course?
The programme includes towing, assisting and recovering divers in pool and open-water settings. Candidates must be physically capable of completing the required skills.
Does my first-aid training need to be current?
Yes. SSI requires proof of Oxygen Provider, First Aid and CPR training completed within the two years before the certification card is issued.
How much in-water training is involved?
Current SSI standards require at least three pool or confined-water sessions and at least three open-water training dives. Ocean Tribe delivers the programme over three days.
What certification will I receive?
After successfully completing the academic work, final assessment and in-water requirements, you receive the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue digital specialty certification.
