When do you need rescue training? When you least expect it! You notice another diver is crying in her mask. What exactly does that mean? Think for a minute and go through the possibilities. Is she scared? Is she in pain? So happy she can't contain her joy? The real life answer in a minute.

Learning to recognize possible challenges in yourself as well as other divers around you is a large part of the Stress & Rescue course. Understanding what to do next is another very important part of the training. Will something ever happen to you diving? If not you, what are the chances it will happen to someone on a trip you are on?

Helpless to just stand around and observe is not a great feeling especially if it turns out for the worse. Doing something about it is the only option in my opinion. Hopefully you are never in the position to have to rescue someone but are you ready if it happens?

If you are my buddy and I pass out underwater, I hope you know how to safely get me to the surface. If you pass out, I surely do.

The challenge above happened in Cozumel twice actually. The newer diver was experiencing reverse block and was in excruciating pain. Her inner ear was swollen from over equalizing (another story). Had we taken her to the surface immediately, she would have burst her eardrums. From only 31 feet down, it took more than 30 minutes to surface. As slow as we could go with the remaining air in her tank. Fortunately she did not burst her eardrums but she stretched the heck out of them and could not dive the rest of the trip.

Here's the point. She would have surfaced on her own. Many divers attempting to help would have surfaced. It took a little communication signaling, rescue training, and experience to safely resolve this situation.

The Stress & Rescue course is extremely challenging and rewarding. Are you ready?