Course Details
Become the diver every buddy wants to have by their side. The SSI Diver Stress & Rescue Course at Deep South Divers in Marsa Alam is a challenging, rewarding program that prepares you to prevent and manage diving emergencies. Furthermore, this 2-day intensive course (with an optional 3-day option including React Right certification) transforms you from a regular diver into a confident, capable rescue diver.
Unlike many courses that only skim the surface, our program dedicates 6 full dives to real-world rescue scenarios — 3 in confined water to build your skills, and 3 in open water to test them under real conditions. As a result, you’ll know exactly how to respond when things go wrong underwater.
Why Choose Deep South Divers for Your Diver Stress & Rescue Training?
6 Dives — Not 2 or 3
Most rescue courses offer minimal in-water time. However, at Deep South Divers, you get 6 full dives spread across 2 days — 3 in confined water to practice until the skills are automatic, and 3 in open water to apply them in realistic conditions. Additionally, more dives mean more confidence when it counts.
Real Rescue Scenarios — Not Classroom Theory
You’ll practice every rescue skill in the water, not just discuss it in a classroom. For example, from tired divers on the surface to unconscious divers underwater, you’ll handle each scenario multiple times until your response is instinctive. Moreover, our instructors create realistic situations that prepare you for the unexpected.
Learn From Instructor Trainer Moudi Heikal
Your course is led by Mahmoud “Moudi” Heikal, an SSI Instructor Trainer with 7,000+ logged dives and years of real-world rescue experience. Importantly, Moudi doesn’t just teach the curriculum — he shares stories, techniques, and decision-making frameworks that only come from handling real emergencies in the Red Sea.
Different Dive Sites — Real Conditions
Each day takes you to different locations around Marsa Alam, so you experience rescue scenarios in varied environments:
- Marsa Assalaya — Calm, sheltered conditions for initial skill practice
- Marsa Egla — Moderate conditions to build confidence
- Marsa Samadai — Open water with boat access for transport scenarios
- Marsa Gabel El Rosas — Variable conditions for advanced rescue practice
- Abu Dabbab — Shallow water perfect for surface rescue drills
- Marsa Nakari — Deeper sections for depth-limited rescue scenarios
Optional React Right — First Aid & CPR Combined
Don’t have a current First Aid/CPR certification? Additionally, you can add our React Right program and turn your rescue course into a comprehensive 3-day safety certification. Moreover, React Right is SSI’s equivalent of EFR (Emergency First Response) and remains valid for 2 years.
Meet Your Lead Instructor — Moudi Heikal
Your rescue training is supervised by Mahmoud “Moudi” Heikal, SSI Instructor Trainer and dive center manager at Deep South Divers. Furthermore, Moudi has handled real diving emergencies in the Red Sea and brings that experience directly to your training.
An SSI Extended Range Deep Diving Instructor with 7,000+ logged dives, Moudi brings real-world deep diving expertise directly to your training. Additionally, his calm, professional teaching style ensures you learn rescue skills thoroughly without feeling overwhelmed.
Follow Moudi for the latest training sessions and student success stories:
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What You’ll Learn — The Full Diver Stress & Rescue Curriculum
The SSI Diver Stress & Rescue program is built around practical, hands-on rescue scenarios. Specifically, here’s what you master during the course:
Confined Water Skills (Day 1 — Dives 1, 2 & 3)
Dive 1: Open Water Skill Review at Higher Standard
Before learning rescue techniques, you’ll review all Open Water Diver skills — but at a higher level of comfort and precision. Consequently, this ensures your basic diving is solid before adding the stress of rescue scenarios. Moreover, Moudi and his team will identify and fix any weak points in your fundamental skills.
Dive 2: Surface Rescue Skills
You’ll learn and practice the core surface rescue techniques:
- Tired Diver — Approach, assess, and assist an exhausted diver on the surface
- Panicked Diver — Manage a diver in panic while protecting yourself from harm
- Unconscious Diver at the Surface — Towing, in-water rescue breathing, and getting the diver to safety
Dive 3: Underwater Rescue Skills in Confined Water
Now you’ll take those three scenarios underwater and practice them in a controlled environment:
- Underwater tired diver response — Recognize and assist a struggling diver
- Underwater panicked diver response — Calm and control a panicked diver underwater
- Unconscious diver underwater — The most critical skill: bringing an unconscious diver to the surface safely
Open Water Skills (Day 2 — Dives 4, 5 & 6)
Dive 4: Rescue Scenarios in Open Water
Apply all three rescue scenarios in real open water conditions. As a result, the confined water practice now pays off as you handle realistic situations with currents, waves, and limited visibility.
Dive 5: Advanced Rescue Techniques
Learn the more complex rescue skills that separate good divers from rescue divers:
- Diver transport — Moving an unconscious diver from underwater to the boat or beach without injuring either of you
- Emergency management — Organizing a rescue scene, delegating tasks, and communicating with boat crew
- Exit techniques — Safe removal of an unconscious diver from the water onto a boat or shore
Dive 6: Final Rescue Scenario & Certification
A comprehensive final scenario tests everything you’ve learned. Ultimately, you’ll manage a full rescue from detection to evacuation — proving you’re ready to be a certified rescue diver.
Theory Review (Day 1 Morning)
Before the water work, you’ll review the 6 sections of the SSI e-learning with your instructor:
- Stress psychology and recognition in yourself and others
- Accident prevention and dive planning for safety
- Emergency management and first response
- Rescue skills and equipment
- Diving first aid and oxygen administration
- Specialized rescue situations (currents, deep water, boat rescues)
Diver Stress & Rescue Schedule — 2-Day or 3-Day Program
Both schedules include hotel pickup at 8:00 AM and return at 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM depending on progress. Additionally, we change dive locations each day so you experience rescue scenarios in different environments.
Option A: 2-Day Course (Standard — You Already Have First Aid/CPR)
| Day | What You’ll Do (8:00 AM — 1:00/2:00 PM) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Theory + 3 Confined Water Dives • Morning: Review 6 e-learning theory sections with instructor • Dive 1: Open Water Skill Review — master fundamentals at higher standard • Dive 2: Surface Rescue Skills — tired diver, panic diver, unconscious diver on surface • Dive 3: Underwater Rescue Skills — apply all 3 scenarios underwater in confined water |
| Day 2 | 3 Open Water Dives + Certification • Dive 4: Rescue Scenarios in Open Water — real conditions, real pressure • Dive 5: Advanced Rescue Techniques — diver transport, emergency management, exits • Dive 6: Final Rescue Scenario — comprehensive test of all skills • Certification — Receive your SSI Diver Stress & Rescue certification |
Option B: 3-Day Course (With React Right First Aid/CPR)
| Day | What You’ll Do (8:00 AM — 1:00/2:00 PM) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | React Right First Aid, CPR & O2 Provider • Complete theory and practical training for First Aid, CPR, and oxygen administration • Earn your React Right certification (valid 2 years, meets rescue course prerequisite) |
| Day 2 | Theory Review + 3 Confined Water Rescue Dives • Morning: Review 6 e-learning theory sections with instructor • Dive 1: Open Water Skill Review — master fundamentals at higher standard • Dive 2: Surface Rescue Skills — tired diver, panic diver, unconscious diver on surface • Dive 3: Underwater Rescue Skills — apply all 3 scenarios underwater in confined water |
| Day 3 | 3 Open Water Dives + Diver Stress & Rescue Certification • Dive 4: Rescue Scenarios in Open Water — real conditions, real pressure • Dive 5: Advanced Rescue Techniques — diver transport, emergency management, exits • Dive 6: Final Rescue Scenario — comprehensive test of all skills • Certification — Receive your SSI Diver Stress & Rescue certification |
Course Requirements
Before enrolling, make sure you meet the following requirements:
- Certification: You must hold an SSI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.
- Age: Minimum 12 years old.
- First Aid & CPR: Proof of current First Aid/CPR training (React Right, EFR, or equivalent) within the last 2 years. If expired or missing, add the React Right program (3-day option).
- O2 Provider: Current oxygen administration certification is also required. However, this is included in the React Right program.
- Physical Fitness: Must be physically capable of performing rescue skills including towing divers, lifting, and swimming with equipment.
- Logged Dives: Open Water Diver certification (no minimum beyond certification dives).
What’s Included
The course price includes everything you need:
- 6 Rescue Dives: 3 confined water + 3 open water rescue scenario dives.
- Theory Review: Instructor-led review of all 6 Diver Stress & Rescue e-learning sections.
- Dive Equipment Rental: Full set of well-maintained scuba gear.
- Certified SSI Instructors: Learn from experienced professionals, including Instructor Trainer Moudi Heikal.
- SSI Digital Materials: All course materials and digital certification processing.
- Certification Fee: SSI Diver Stress & Rescue certification card upon successful completion.
- Transportation to Dive Sites: All transfers to training locations around Marsa Alam.
- Hotel Pickup & Drop-off: Daily transportation from your hotel (within 20km of Marsa Alam).
- Small Groups: Personalized attention for safety-critical skills.
Special Equipment Required:
- Dive light/torch
- Compass
- Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB)
- If you don’t own these, rental options are available — contact us.
What to Expect from the Diver Stress & Rescue Course
Here is what the course delivers:
- Emergency Recognition: Spot stress and problems in yourself and other divers before they become emergencies.
- Panic Management: Calm and control panicked divers on the surface and underwater without endangering yourself.
- Unconscious Diver Rescue: The most critical skill — bring an unconscious diver to the surface and provide rescue breathing.
- Diver Transport: Move an incapacitated diver from underwater to boat or shore safely.
- Emergency Planning: Organize a rescue scene, delegate tasks, and manage stress under pressure.
- Self-Rescue Skills: Handle your own stress, cramping, and equipment problems calmly.
- Internationally Recognized Certification: The SSI Diver Stress & Rescue certification is a prerequisite for the Divemaster course and is respected worldwide.
Other Information
- Group Size: Small groups — rescue training requires individual attention.
- Equipment: Well-maintained scuba gear. Special equipment (dive light, compass, DSMB) must be owned or rented.
- Safety: All rescue scenarios are conducted under direct instructor supervision with safety divers present.
- Depth Limitations: Maximum open water depth during rescue scenarios is 18 meters. Furthermore, unconscious diver rescue scenarios are limited to 9 meters for safety.
Cancellation Policy
- Flexible Cancellation: Cancel up to 48 hours before your scheduled course for a full refund.
- No Shows: Refunds only issued with prior notice.
- Weather Conditions: Deep South Divers reserves the right to reschedule or refund in case of adverse weather conditions.
Terms & Conditions
- Prerequisites: Valid Open Water Diver certification and current First Aid/CPR (within 2 years) required.
- Booking: Confirmed upon receipt of full payment or deposit specified by Deep South Divers.
- Liability Waiver: Required before participation.
- Changes: Deep South Divers reserves the right to modify itinerary or schedule.
- Insurance: Valid dive insurance strongly recommended.
- Legal Jurisdiction: Governed by CDWS Recognition Agreement for Training Agencies.
Why Learn Rescue Diving at Deep South Divers?
The SSI Diver Stress & Rescue Course at Deep South Divers isn’t just a certification — it’s a transformation. Ultimately, under Moudi Heikal’s expert guidance, you’ll develop the skills, confidence, and judgment to handle real diving emergencies. Whether you’re preparing for the Divemaster course or simply want to be the diver everyone trusts, this course is your next step.
Additionally, follow Moudi on Instagram and Facebook to see rescue training in action.
Learn more about SSI Diver Stress & Rescue standards.
Related Courses
- Open Water Diver Course — The first step in your diving journey
- Advanced Open Water Diver Course — Dive deeper before learning to rescue
- Divemaster Course — Rescue Diver is a prerequisite for Divemaster
- Open Water Instructor Course (ITC) — The ultimate diving career
