Course overview

Become a calmer, safer diver with the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course on Ambergris Caye, learning to anticipate and manage problems on the Belize Barrier Reef. Scenario practice in the clear, protected water inside the reef off San Pedro builds the skills to handle stress and assist others, opening the path toward SSI leadership ratings.

What you’ll learn

• Identify the causes and signs of diver stress
• Apply accident-prevention strategies before and during dives
• Perform self-rescue and manage your own air and buoyancy under pressure
• Assist and rescue stressed or unresponsive divers
• Conduct surface and underwater search and recovery
• Coordinate an effective emergency response

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 12
• SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent certification
• Current first-aid and CPR training (such as React Right)
• Diver medical clearance signed by a physician

What's included · What's not

Not included? Sort the rest of your trip

Flights and accommodation aren’t part of the course price, here’s how to book them around your dates.

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Stress & self-rescue

   Complete digital academics and practise stress-recognition and self-rescue skills in calm shallows near San Pedro.
2. Day2
   Assist & search

   Work through assist and search techniques in the sheltered water inside the barrier reef.
3. Day3
   Rescue scenarios

   Run full open-water rescue scenarios at protected reef sites to complete the course.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Ambergris Caye.

Frequently asked questions