Course overview

The SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course on Koh Tao builds the confidence to prevent and handle dive emergencies. Practising in the calm, warm 28-30C Gulf at sheltered sites like Japanese Gardens and Twins, you learn to spot stress early, assist troubled divers and run realistic rescue scenarios.

What you’ll learn

• Identify and defuse diver stress before it escalates
• Perform self-rescue and assist distressed or tired divers
• Search for and surface a missing or unresponsive diver
• Give in-water rescue breaths and manage exits
• Administer emergency oxygen and plan an emergency response
• Combine skills in full open-water rescue scenarios

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 12 (Junior) / 15 for Diver Stress & Rescue
• SSI Advanced Adventurer or equivalent, including Navigation
• Current React Right (CPR, first aid, oxygen) or equivalent
• 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
   Theory & React Right

   Complete the SSI digital learning and, if needed, the React Right first-aid and oxygen module.
2. Day2
   Stress recognition & rescue skills

   Practise stress management, tows and assists in calm water at Japanese Gardens or Twins.
3. Day3
   Rescue scenarios

   Run full open-water emergency scenarios, including surfacing and reviving an unresponsive diver, under instructor evaluation.

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 Koh Tao.

Frequently asked questions