NAUI Rescue Scuba Diver

Deep Exposure feels that by far this is one of the most important courses that you can take as a diver. The knowledge received in this course is worth its weight in gold. We strongly feel that you or your dive buddy should be proficient in scuba rescue...you just never know.

OVERVIEW

This course trains divers in the knowledge and skills needed to manage risks and effectively handle limited in-water problems and diving emergencies. Included are: assists, transports, surface rescues and rescues from depth involving both boat and shore based skin and scuba divers. The course meets the prerequisite rescue training for Skin Diving Instructor, NAUI Assistant Instructor, Divemaster, and Instructor certifications. Note: Adult CPR training (approximately four hours) meets the requirement for Scuba Rescue Diver certification.

However, additional CPR training that includes two person CPR and the use of rescue breathing barrier devices, e.g. pocket mask®, face shield, is required to meet the requirements for NAUI leadership certification.

QUALIFICATIONS OF GRADUATES

Graduates are considered competent to perform assists and rescues in open water provided the diving site and diving situations approximate those of the course.
Graduates may use this certification as a prerequisite for the NAUI Training Assistant Specialty Course, Leadership Courses and Instructor Courses.

FIRST AID AND CPR TRAINING

First Aid and CPR instructors who present training in these respective skill areas during this course need not be NAUI Instructors.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

Training and experience equivalent to NAUI Scuba Diver.
If accredited First Aid and CPR certification are not offered as part of the course, current certification in both is required for certification.
Open Water. A least one session is to be conducted in open water. An open water session involves one or more skin or scuba rescue exercises.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS (open water)

On the surface, identify the problem and properly assist a completely equipped skin or scuba diver simulating each of the following: a muscle cramp, rapid shallow breathing, exhaustion, signs of pre-panic and breathing difficulties (due to suit constriction, cold water, etc.).
Perform a satisfactory, controlled Scuba Diver Rescue. (see “Details of Selected Skills”) from approximately 20 feet (6 m) of water and transport, one-on-one, the simulated victim 50 yards (46 m) to shore, boat or platform removing gear as appropriate for extrication of the victim from the water.
With the aid of one assistant, remove a diver simulating a non-breathing unconsciousness victim from the water after reaching the water’s edge, boat or platform.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

The following topics shall be covered:

Causes and prevention of diving accidents: physical conditioning and physiological factors, stress and psychological factors, stress and the panic syndrome in self and others, recognizing distress, pre-dive equipment checks and surface drowning syndrome.
Diving rescue: self-rescue, diver assists, surface and underwater rescues, diver transport, in-water rescue breathing, gear removal techniques, boat and shore extrication techniques, first aid applications and oxygen usage.
General accident management: victim care and positioning, access to emergency transport/assistance and hyperbaric chambers, information collection and transmittal, accident reporting, liability and related legal considerations.