KEY LARGO SELF-GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Three Days in the Dive Capital: Mastering Rescue Skills off Key Largo
A focused 3-day PADI Rescue Diver course in Key Largo that teaches practical rescue techniques and emergency response—this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
Three Days in the Dive Capital: Mastering Rescue Skills off Key Largo.
Set in Key Largo, the PADI Rescue Diver course is a concentrated three-day program that turns competent divers into reliable buddies by teaching how to recognize and manage problems, conduct rescues, and run emergency protocols. The training blends academic work with in-water practice—pool and/or boat sessions—so you graduate with hands-on experience and greater confidence.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Life‑saving techniques you actually practice
The course covers self-rescue, recognizing and managing stress in other divers, emergency management and equipment, rescuing panicked divers, and rescuing unresponsive divers—skills practiced through staged rescue exercises.
Pool and boat scenarios for real-world practice
Training includes several pool and/or boat sessions where you put knowledge into action during simulated rescue scenarios under instructor supervision.
Professional certification in the 'Dive Capital of the World'
Delivered by Key Largo Dive Center, a professional PADI Dive Center and NAUI Career Development Center, the Rescue Diver course is globally recognized and a popular, highly valued advanced training among divers.
What the day feels like
What the three days feel like
The course begins with knowledge development completed via PADI eLearning (all online training must be finished before checking in at the dive center), then moves into a rhythm of guided pool and/or boat training sessions over three days. Under instructor supervision you drill rescue scenarios, practice emergency protocols, and refine buoyancy and equipment-handling so that problem recognition and response become second nature.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits—and who should prepare first.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring water and your driver's license; personal dive items such as mask, snorkel, fins, a cutting tool, and a surface marker buoy (SMB). Diver insurance cards are recommended if you have them. Remaining gear can be rented from Key Largo Dive Center.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the PADI Rescue Diver course take?
The course is three days in length.
What prerequisites do I need to enroll?
You must be Adventure Diver (or equivalent) with a completed Underwater Navigation dive; you also need EFR Primary and Secondary Care training (or qualifying training) within the last 24 months.
Is there any online work before arrival?
Yes—academic training is completed via PADI eLearning and all online modules must be finished prior to checking in at the dive center on the first day of training.
What kinds of in-water training will I do?
The course includes several pool and/or boat training sessions where you practice rescue exercises and emergency procedures under instructor supervision.
Do I need to bring all my dive gear?
Bring personal items listed (mask, snorkel, fins, cutting tool, SMB); remaining required gear can be rented from Key Largo Dive Center. Also bring water and your driver's license, and diver insurance cards if available.
Which agency runs the course—PADI or NAUI?
The operator is a professional PADI Dive Center and also a NAUI Career Development Center; both agencies are recognized globally and choice is a personal preference.