In our opinion, all divers should continue their education at least to the level of Scuba Safety & First Aid. In this course you learn how to take your responsibility for the safety of other divers and how to act in case there is a problem. The course combines first aid (on land) with assisting and rescue techniques (in the water). The course can be completed in three days, but that schedule might be a bit tight. The minimum age is 12 and you must be certified as a Basic Advanced Scuba Diver or have an equivalent certification from another training agency.
The first part of the course consists only of theory. In that part you learn how a lack of training, equipment problems and stress can cause a chain of events that lead to an emergency. The goal is to make you aware of indications that a problem may be developing. Chapter two deals with first aid and prepares you for practice sessions on land. Chapter three addresses techniques for diver rescue, which are then thought in four or more open water dives (your instructor may decide to practice the skills in a pool first). The practice sessions on land and in the water can be alternated – it does not really matter with which the practical part or your course begins. The last chapter (and the last dive in open water) combines everything you have learned in this course and adds a cognitive sequence for handling emergency situations.
Your instructor will want a completed medical statement from you. In some regions a medical statement with only “no” answers will be sufficient for participation in the course. In other regions a medical signed and stamped by a medical doctor will be required and must unconditionally say that you are fit for diving.
You start this course by downloading the book and reading it. After you have finished a chapter, you can test your knowledge by doing a small 10 question test. Bring your answers to your SCUBA C&P Instructor to have them corrected. Your instructor will then explain all missed answers to assure that your understanding of diving theory is adequate.
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If you prefer to read your book on paper, then ask your instructor. The price for the paper version of this book is €21 .90. If you cannot find a SCUBA C&P instructor in your area, then please contact us via info@scuba-courses.com.
Your instructor has more questionnaires available if you wish to practice more. To complete the theory part of the course, you will have to pass an exam under the supervision of your instructor. The minimum score for passing is 80%.
If you wonder what your instructor is going to ask of you on land and the open water, then you can take a look at the set of skills that are done in each of the sessions.