Career Rescue Diver (CRD) Program

Build strong skills. Dive with confidence. Create your foundation.

The Career Rescue Diver (CRD) Program is a comprehensive training path designed for new divers and certified divers looking to refresh and rebuild their skills the PADI way.

This program goes beyond basic certification. It develops confident, capable, safety-focused divers through structured progression, real-world diving, and professional-level instruction.

Who This Program Is For

• Individuals with no prior SCUBA experience

• Certified divers returning to the water after time away

• Certified divers who want to rebuild skills the PADI way

• Divers seeking strong fundamentals and real confidence underwater

• Those exploring SCUBA as a serious pursuit or future career path

What You’ll Learn

Throughout the program, you’ll develop strong foundational and advanced skills, including:

• Proper equipment setup, care, and problem prevention

• Precise buoyancy control and efficient finning techniques

• Confident underwater communication and situational awareness

• Dive planning, gas management, and environmental awareness

• Self-rescue techniques and assisting stressed or panicked divers

• Realistic emergency response and rescue management

Training includes classroom learning, confined-water skill development, and extensive open-water diving.

Certifications & Training Included

The CRD program includes the following PADI certifications and specialty training:

PADI Open Water Diver

Your foundation as a certified diver. Learn essential SCUBA skills such as equipment use, buoyancy control, underwater communication, dive planning, and safe diving practices.

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

Build confidence through experience-based learning, including deeper diving, improved navigation skills, and exposure to a variety of dive environments.

PADI Rescue Diver

One of the most valuable certifications in diving. Focuses on accident prevention, self-rescue, assisting stressed or panicked divers, and managing real-world emergency scenarios both underwater and on the surface.

Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver

Learn how to safely plan and conduct dives using enriched air nitrox to extend no-decompression limits, reduce fatigue, and manage repetitive dives more effectively.

Deep Diver

Gain the training and confidence to plan and execute deeper dives safely, with emphasis on gas management, narcosis awareness, ascent procedures, and emergency planning.

Peak Performance Buoyancy (PPB)

Refine buoyancy control, trim, and weighting to improve air consumption, comfort, and overall dive efficiency while protecting the underwater environment.

Underwater Navigator

Develop precise navigation skills using both compass techniques and natural references, allowing you to confidently navigate underwater and return to exit points or boats.

Emergency First Response (EFR)

Learn CPR, basic life support, and emergency care skills applicable both in and out of the water. This training is required for Rescue Diver certification and valuable beyond diving.

Emergency Oxygen Provider

Learn to recognize dive-related injuries and properly administer emergency oxygen—one of the most critical first-response skills in dive safety.

Equipment & Dives Included

To ensure consistency and remove barriers to training:

• All required training dives included

• Complete essential equipment kit provided for use during the program

Equipment includes:
Mask, snorkel, fins, boots, wetsuit, buoyancy compensator (BCD), regulator set (1st & 2nd stages with octopus), dive computer, weights and weight bag, knife, gloves, and required dive labs.

Lab Dives (Separate Skill Development Dives)

The Career Rescue Diver Program includes 10 dedicated lab dives that are completely separate from all certification, specialty, and required training dives.

These dives exist for one purpose only: skill development and mastery.

They are not tied to earning a certification, meeting minimum standards, or completing course requirements. This allows students to focus entirely on refining skills, building confidence, and gaining real control in the water.

What Makes Lab Dives Different

Unlike standard training dives, lab dives:

• Are not checklist-driven

• Are not time-pressured

• Are not required to “pass” a course

Focus of the 10 Lab Dives

During the lab dives, students work on:

• Buoyancy control, trim, and precise weighting

• Efficient finning techniques and body positioning

• Mask and regulator skills while neutrally buoyant

• Air-sharing drills and controlled emergency ascents

• Navigation awareness and underwater problem solving

• Gas management and dive execution

• Managing stress, task loading, and unexpected situations

• Surface control and diver management

Why Separate Lab Dives Matter

Because the lab dives are separate from certification dives:

• Students are free to learn without pressure

• Skills are developed through repetition, not memorization

• Confidence grows naturally through experience

• Divers finish the program calm, capable, and prepared

This approach creates divers who are comfortable handling real-world situations—not just meeting minimum training standards.

How Lab Dives Support the CRD Program

While separate from certification requirements, the lab dives strongly support:

• Safer, more confident Open Water diving

• Higher performance in Advanced and Specialty training

• Strong preparation for Rescue-level scenarios

• A smoother transition into professional training

Training Environment

• Open-water training in the Gulf of Mexico

• Charter boat dives aboard the iconic Aquanaut

• Freshwater springs available as alternate training sites

• On-site 14’ SeaMent training pond for skill development

• Fully stocked, professional dive center

Program Details

• Duration: Approximately 4–8 weeks

• Medical clearance: Required

• Prerequisites:

  • Good general health

  • Comfortable in the water

No prior SCUBA certification is required.

Why Start With the Career Rescue Diver Program?

The CRD program builds depth, confidence, and consistency, not just certifications. Graduates leave the program ready to:

• Dive independently with confidence and strong situational awareness

• Continue seamlessly into the Career Divemaster Program

• Safely explore specialty and advanced diving

• Enjoy SCUBA at a significantly higher skill level than traditional entry-level courses

New to SCUBA?

If you’ve never tried SCUBA before, we strongly recommend starting with a Try SCUBA experience prior to committing. When available, this can often be done at no cost.

Ready to Start Your Dive Journey?

Our instructors are happy to help you determine if the Career Rescue Diver Program is the right fit for your goals, experience level, and schedule.