If you aspire to become a dive manager and expedition leader, you can start training here and learn to avoid the pitfalls that untrained divers can fall into in a rescue situation.
Like in real life, as the incidents unfold, the scenarios evolve depending on how the dive manager directs the team.
This is the best BSAC course I’ve attended, both as a trainee and course organiser. Divers learn the benefits of delegation and to continually assess the implications of their decision. I now sit on a dive boat knowing my dive buddies will be effective if an incident occurred.
- Dean Hall, Aylesbury Ducks SAC
The Practical Rescue Management course is a great way to safely expose a group of divers to realistic diving incidents. Although the emphasis is on the development of rescue-management skills, this course also provides an opportunity for further instruction and practice in personal rescue skills. There is a strong emphasis on team work, you will get to manage a small team in a hypothetical rescue scenario in a controlled open-water training environment.
To enrol on the course you must have already successfully completed a Sports Diver course (or have equivalent certification from another recognised training agency). Instructors will provide constructive feedback throughout the course, so if you want feedback on your dive rescue management skills this is for you.
On this one-day course you will learn to manage the resources at your disposal in order to make the most effective use of them in a rescue. There is a mixture of theory and practical sessions covering the rescue management process, including removing casualty to a point of safety, first aid priorities, summoning emergency services and evacuating casualties.
By being directly involved in a range of diving-related rescues you will also be able to practice and hone your existing rescue skills and the hypothetical open-water incidents will test your management skills.
At the end of the Practical Rescue Management course you will understand how to take a strategic view of an incident – assessing, prioritising and delegating – and will have managed at least one rescue scenario. You will understand that a rescue manager stands back from direct involvement, but brings the emergency to a close by identifying all the requirements for a successful outcome.
You will also be able to sign off Dive Leader theory sessions DT9, DT10 and DT11 and practical session DO5 by completing this course.
You could do this course at a regional event or local club. Not all clubs run Practical Rescue Management courses, so please check if you are interested.
Alternatively, book your place on a scheduled Practical Rescue Management Course online now.
Not a BSAC member? You can do this course by joining BSAC directly or joining via a local club. Find a club.
Students will be given a pack of supporting learning materials.
Your next steps – developing your skills
After this course you could further your training by doing other Skill Development Courses (SDCs).
You could further your safety and rescue training by completing the following SDCs.
- Learn to use what’s around you on a dive site to deliver first aid on a First Aid for Divers course.
- Learn to use oxygen first aid on an Oxygen Administration course.
- Improve your lifesaving skills by taking the Lifesaver Award, then the Advanced Lifesaver Award.
You could sign up for BSAC’s Instructor Foundation Course (IFC) to become an Assistant Diving Instructor, or develop your existing skills as an Open Water Instructor, or above, to become a Practical Rescue Management instructor.
Or you could progress with your diver grade training.
Not yet a BSAC member?
You can do this course by joining BSAC directly or joining your local club.
If you need a hand send your postcode to membership@bsac.com and we'll help you find the right scuba club for you. Or if you fancy a chat call us 0151 350 6201 (Mon - Fri, 9 - 5:30).
