The SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course is often described as the most rewarding recreational scuba course you can take.
Unlike previous courses that focus on your own diving skills, Stress & Rescue teaches you how to recognise problems before they happen, prevent incidents from developing, and safely assist another diver if an emergency occurs.
You’ll develop greater awareness, confidence and decision-making skills, becoming a calmer, more capable diver both underwater and on the surface.
At Funky Turtle Divers, we believe this course is about far more than rescue techniques – it’s about becoming the kind of diver who makes every dive safer for everyone around them.
SSI Stress & Rescue Course at a Glance
Duration: 2 days Minimum age: 12 years Prerequisites:
- SSI Open Water Diver (or equivalent)
- Current first aid & CPR certification (SSI React Right or equivalent completed within the last 2 years)
Open Water Dives: 3 Certification: SSI Diver Stress & Rescue
What Is SSI Diver Stress & Rescue?
The SSI Stress & Rescue course teaches you how to identify, prevent and manage diving emergencies.
Throughout the course you’ll learn to think ahead, recognise subtle signs of stress and intervene before a situation becomes serious.
Rather than simply reacting to emergencies, you’ll develop the mindset of preventing them altogether.
You’ll train both in and out of the water using realistic rescue scenarios that build confidence through repetition and practical experience.
Why Take Stress & Rescue?
Many divers say this is the course that truly changed the way they dive.
After completing Stress & Rescue you’ll likely notice yourself:
- Planning dives more thoroughly.
- Monitoring your buddy more effectively.
- Feeling calmer when unexpected situations arise.
- Becoming more confident in your own abilities.
- Recognising problems before they become emergencies.
These skills benefit every dive you make, regardless of whether you continue recreational diving or eventually become a Divemaster or Instructor.
What Will You Learn?
During the course you’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills to manage a wide range of diving emergencies.
Training includes:
Recognising Diver Stress
Learn how to identify physical and behavioural signs that indicate a diver may be experiencing stress before it develops into panic.
You’ll understand:
- Common causes of diver stress.
- Environmental factors.
- Equipment issues.
- Psychological stress.
- Early warning signs.
- Prevention strategies.
Self Rescue
Before helping somebody else, you must first be able to help yourself.
You’ll practise:
- Managing cramp.
- Handling equipment problems.
- Dealing with fatigue.
- Controlled emergency ascents.
- Surface survival techniques.
- Maintaining buoyancy under stress.
Assisting a Tired Diver
Not every emergency involves panic.
You’ll learn safe techniques for assisting divers who are:
- Fatigued.
- Overexerted.
- Cold.
- Low on air.
- Experiencing minor equipment problems.
Often, simple early intervention prevents larger incidents from developing.
Assisting a Panicked Diver
Panic can escalate quickly.
You’ll learn how to:
- Approach safely.
- Avoid placing yourself at risk.
- Calm an anxious diver.
- Establish positive buoyancy.
- Remove unnecessary equipment.
- Tow a diver to safety.
Missing Diver Procedures
If a diver fails to surface, time becomes critical.
You’ll practise:
- Organising an effective search.
- Search patterns.
- Communication.
- Surface coordination.
- When to involve emergency services.
Rescuing an Unresponsive Diver
One of the most challenging parts of the course is learning to manage an unconscious diver.
Training includes:
- Underwater recovery.
- Safe ascent techniques.
- Removing equipment.
- Exiting the water.
- Providing rescue breaths where appropriate.
- CPR preparation.
- Emergency oxygen administration.
- Coordinating with emergency services.
Rescue Management
Rescues are rarely completed alone.
You’ll also learn how to:
- Take control of an emergency.
- Delegate tasks.
- Work with other divers.
- Manage bystanders.
- Prepare emergency equipment.
- Communicate effectively under pressure.
Realistic Rescue Scenarios
Stress & Rescue is an extremely practical course.
Throughout the program you’ll complete multiple rescue scenarios where you’ll combine everything you’ve learned into realistic diving emergencies.
Your instructor will introduce different situations requiring you to assess the problem, prioritise actions and work through the rescue using your own judgement.
No two scenarios are exactly the same, helping prepare you for real-world situations rather than memorised routines.
Do I Need to Be an Experienced Diver?
No.
You simply need to be certified as an Open Water Diver (or equivalent).
Many divers complete Stress & Rescue after gaining around 20–50 dives, but there is no minimum dive requirement.
If your buoyancy and general diving skills are comfortable, you’re ready to benefit from the course.
Is Stress & Rescue Difficult?
It is certainly more challenging than Open Water or Advanced Open Water – but that’s what makes it so rewarding.
The course is physically active and requires problem solving, teamwork and decision making.
However, it is not designed to make you fail.
Your instructor will gradually build your confidence before combining the skills into full rescue scenarios.
Most students finish the course surprised by how much they have learned over just two days.
Do I Need First Aid (React Right)?
Yes.
Before earning your SSI Diver Stress & Rescue certification, you’ll need a recognised first aid and CPR qualification completed within the previous two years.
The SSI React Right course is designed specifically for this purpose and is the perfect companion to Stress & Rescue.
If you don’t already hold a current qualification, we can arrange both courses together as a package.
How Long Does the Course Take?
The SSI Stress & Rescue course normally runs over two days.
During the course you’ll complete:
- SSI digital learning.
- Knowledge reviews.
- Dry practical workshops.
- Rescue skill development.
- Three open water training dives.
- Full rescue scenarios.
By the end of the course you’ll have experienced multiple realistic emergency situations in a safe and controlled learning environment.
Who Should Take Stress & Rescue?
Stress & Rescue is ideal for:
- Recreational divers wanting more confidence.
- Frequent fun divers.
- Dive travellers.
- Divers preparing for Divemaster.
- Anyone wanting to become a better buddy.
- Divers who enjoy helping others.
Even if you never plan to become a professional, the skills learned on this course make every future dive safer and more enjoyable.
Why Take Stress & Rescue in Koh Tao?
Koh Tao offers the perfect environment for rescue training.
The island provides:
- Calm conditions.
- Short boat journeys.
- A variety of dive sites.
- Excellent visibility for training.
- Experienced SSI instructors.
- One of the world’s largest diving communities.
You’ll gain experience in realistic conditions while training in one of the best places on Earth to become a safer diver.
Why Choose Funky Turtle Divers?
Our goal isn’t simply to help you pass the course.
We want you to leave feeling genuinely capable of recognising problems, helping another diver and remaining calm under pressure.
You’ll benefit from:
- Small training groups.
- Experienced rescue instructors.
- Realistic rescue scenarios.
- Plenty of practical water time.
- Modern equipment.
- Relaxed, supportive coaching.
- Honest feedback throughout the course.
We challenge you, support you and help build confidence every step of the way.
What Comes After Stress & Rescue?
Stress & Rescue is one of the biggest milestones in recreational diving.
From here, many divers choose to continue with:
- SSI Divemaster – Begin your professional diving journey.
- SSI Specialty Courses – Expand your skills in areas such as Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, Night Diving or Perfect Buoyancy.
- Fun Diving – Put your new awareness and confidence into practice while exploring Koh Tao’s best dive sites.
Wherever your diving journey takes you next, the skills developed during Stress & Rescue will stay with you for every dive you make.
Book Your SSI Stress & Rescue Course in Koh Tao
If you’re ready to become a more confident, aware and capable diver, the SSI Stress & Rescue course is the perfect next step.
Learn to prevent problems before they happen, manage emergencies with confidence and become the buddy everyone wants to dive with.
Dive smarter. Dive safer. Stay funky.
