IDC Rescue Skills & Emergency Response 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In PADI's Rescue Diver training, what is the first priority when approaching an unresponsive diver on the surface?
- Check for breathing and start CPR immediately
- Call for help, then approach safely
- Establish positive buoyancy for both rescuer and victim (Correct answer)
- Remove the victim's weight belt
Correct answer: Establish positive buoyancy for both rescuer and victim
Establishing positive buoyancy for both the rescuer and victim is the first priority to prevent both from sinking while the situation is assessed.
When approaching an unresponsive diver on the surface, the first priority is establishing positive buoyancy for both rescuer and victim. This prevents the victim from sinking and keeps the rescuer safe. The rescuer inflates their own BCD if needed, then establishes the victim's buoyancy (inflate BCD, drop weight belt if necessary). Only once both are positively buoyant can the rescuer safely assess the victim's condition, check for breathing, call for help, and initiate rescue breathing if needed while towing to safety.
Question 2: What is the PADI-recommended rate for rescue breathing while towing an unresponsive, non-breathing diver to shore?
- One breath every 5 seconds (Correct answer)
- One breath every 10 seconds
- Two breaths every 15 seconds
- Continuous breaths without pause
Correct answer: One breath every 5 seconds
PADI recommends one rescue breath every 5 seconds while towing a non-breathing diver, maintaining a rate of approximately 10–12 breaths per minute.
PADI Rescue Diver training teaches rescuers to provide one rescue breath every 5 seconds (approximately 10–12 breaths per minute) while towing a non-breathing diver. This rate delivers adequate ventilation without over-ventilation. The rescuer uses a modified technique—tilting the victim's head back, pinching the nose, and delivering breaths while simultaneously kicking to maintain forward progress toward shore. Maintaining rhythm is important; counting '1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and-5-breathe' helps maintain rate under stress.
Question 3: According to PADI Rescue Diver standards, what should a rescue diver do if a panicking diver grabs them aggressively?
- Push the panicking diver away and surface immediately
- Allow the panicking diver to hold on and support them
- Submerge to escape the grip, then re-approach from behind (Correct answer)
- Signal for help and wait for assistance
Correct answer: Submerge to escape the grip, then re-approach from behind
If grabbed aggressively, the rescue diver should submerge to escape the panicking diver's grip, then re-approach from behind where they have control.
A panicking diver can pose serious danger to a rescuer by climbing on top of them and pushing them underwater. PADI Rescue Diver training teaches that if grabbed, the rescuer should submerge—a panicking diver's instinct is to climb up, so submerging releases the grip. After breaking free, the rescuer re-approaches from behind (outside the victim's reach) and uses a controlled grip on the victim's tank valve or BCD to maintain control while helping them. Never allow a panicking diver to grab from the front.
Question 4: As a PADI instructor, you witness a student diver go limp underwater at 6 metres / 20 feet during a confined water session. What is your immediate action?
- Signal to other students to surface and call EMS first
- Immediately ascend to the surface with the diver, establish buoyancy, and call for help (Correct answer)
- Attempt in-water CPR at depth
- Administer oxygen from the dive cylinder
Correct answer: Immediately ascend to the surface with the diver, establish buoyancy, and call for help
Immediately ascend with the unresponsive diver, establish buoyancy on the surface, and initiate emergency procedures including calling EMS.
When a diver goes unresponsive underwater, the priority is to surface quickly and safely. The instructor grips the diver's BCD or tank, signals other students to surface (or signals a co-instructor/divemaster), and ascends with the unresponsive diver. On the surface, establish positive buoyancy for both, assess for breathing, begin rescue breathing if not breathing, call for emergency services, and continue care until EMS arrives. CPR cannot be effectively performed underwater. Oxygen should be administered as soon as possible using emergency O2—not from the dive cylinder.
Question 5: What type of oxygen delivery system should PADI dive operators have available for diving emergencies?
- Standard medical oxygen with nasal cannula
- Demand valve oxygen delivery system
- 15 lpm continuous flow with non-rebreather mask
- Both demand valve and continuous flow systems (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both demand valve and continuous flow systems
PADI recommends having both demand valve and continuous flow oxygen delivery systems available, as different patient conditions require different delivery methods.
PADI first aid training emphasizes having both oxygen delivery systems available. A demand valve system delivers oxygen only when the patient inhales, making it highly efficient for breathing patients and reducing oxygen consumption. A continuous flow system (non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm) is used for breathing patients when a demand valve isn't available. For non-breathing patients requiring rescue breathing, a pocket mask with O2 inlet is used. Having both systems ensures appropriate care can be provided regardless of the patient's condition.
Question 6: When should a PADI dive instructor activate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in response to a dive emergency?
- Only after confirming DCS through symptom evaluation
- As soon as possible whenever a diving emergency is suspected (Correct answer)
- Only if the diver is unconscious
- After administering oxygen for 30 minutes
Correct answer: As soon as possible whenever a diving emergency is suspected
EMS should be activated as soon as possible whenever a diving emergency is suspected — early activation improves outcomes.
PADI emergency procedures emphasize early EMS activation. Dive emergencies can deteriorate rapidly, and EMS response time is not instantaneous. Instructors should call EMS at the first suspicion of a serious problem—suspected DCS, unconsciousness, near-drowning, cardiac events. While waiting for EMS, provide oxygen, first aid, and emotional support. It is always better to activate EMS and not need them than to delay and lose critical time. The DAN (Divers Alert Network) emergency line (+1-919-684-9111) should also be called for diving-specific guidance.
IDC Rescue Skills & Emergency Response 1
In PADI's Rescue Diver training, what is the first priority when approaching an unresponsive diver on the surface?