SSI Specialty Course
Stress & Rescue
The SSI Stress & Rescue course is the one most divers say changed them the most. You’ll learn to spot and defuse stress — in yourself and your buddy — before it becomes an emergency, and to confidently handle problems if they do happen. It builds the awareness, self-rescue, and rescue skills that make you a safer, calmer, more capable diver.
It’s also one of the most rewarding courses you can take. Divers routinely finish it noticeably more relaxed and self-assured in the water — and it’s a required step on the path to Divemaster and professional ratings. Whether you dive local springs or travel the world, these are the skills that let you help a buddy, or yourself, when it counts.
Where you’ll train
We build the core skills in a controlled pool or confined-water setting, then apply them in calm, clear open water at De Leon Springs or Blue Grotto — ideal spots to practice tows, exits, and rescue scenarios without current or crowds. Training in familiar, low-stress conditions lets you focus on technique, so the skills stick when you need them most.
What you’ll learn
Stress & Rescue teaches you to prevent problems — and respond with confidence when they happen:
- Recognize and manage stress — spot the early warning signs in yourself and your buddy before they escalate.
- Self-rescue — stay calm and solve common problems on your own.
- Assist a tired or panicked diver — contact and non-contact assists, tows, and calming techniques.
- Manage an unresponsive diver — recognition at the surface and at depth, controlled ascents, and rescue tows.
- In-water rescue response — surfacing an unresponsive diver, rescue breathing, and safe exits.
- Emergency planning — build a dive-emergency plan so you and your buddies know exactly what to do.
Prerequisites
You’ll need your SSI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent), plus current CPR and first-aid training.
Don’t have CPR & first aid yet? Pair it with your course. You can satisfy the requirement with either of ours — bundle it with your Stress & Rescue class and knock out both together:
- DAN CPR & First Aid (Basic Life Support) — comprehensive CPR and first aid, recognized well beyond diving.
- SSI React Right — SSI’s CPR and first-aid program.
Just let us know when you book and we’ll schedule them together. Stress & Rescue is also a key step toward Divemaster and professional-level training.
Related: De Leon Springs · Blue Grotto · Advanced Open Water