The NHDC Team 

During the PADI Rescue Diver Course you will develop exceptional skills to help you and fellow divers wherever you are. Learn from the best, most experienced and passionate instructors in the region and continue your journey in the right way. We are committed to developing divers with outstanding skills and who share our attitude towards safe, fun and environmentally sensitive scuba diving.

NHDC & The PADI Rescue Diver Course

• Protect What You Love

  • We focus on buoyancy and trim a lot in our courses – way beyond the requirements. This fundamental skill takes time to master, but as a buoyancy expert your skills will be recognised the world over!
  • You will be confident, competent and safe while also protecting the environment any time you dive.

• Our Community

  • We are family friendly and specialise in courses for younger divers. We’ve got equipment specifically for youngsters to keep them comfortable and warm.
  • We are passionate that Scuba Diving is a sport for everyone and anyone! We use ‘adaptive teaching’ methods for all our divers. Our course structure means you’ll have the time, space and confidence to relax and enjoy becoming a rescue diver.
  • We’re a small and friendly team who will strive to help make you feel welcome as soon as you get in touch or step through the door.
  • We are the only Dive Centre in the north of the UK to have been trainsed in ‘adaptive teaching’ methods with Deptherapy, a unique and special charity we’re proud to support. We’re proud to boast of a team of instructors able to help anyone achieve their ambitions.

• Let’s Go Diving

  • We help divers achieve their goals; we’ll adapt our methods so you don’t have to!
  • We value all our customers and strive to give each one the best customer service you’ve ever experienced
  • Once qualified, you’ll be able eager to join us on all our dives and social events.

We’re A PADI 5* IDC Dive Centre

We are subject to PADI’s quality assurance program. This is a globally acclaimed and fully integrated approach to ensure PADI standards are maintained throughout all elements of all courses. You can rest assured that we go above and beyond the requirements of PADI.

As a 5* IDC centre, we’re able to develop the next generation of instructors and ensure our methods are at the very pinnacle of excellence!

Knowledge Development

As part of the PADI Rescue Diver Course, you’ll complete two Knowledge Development sessions and a course exam.

The theory side can be completed at you own pace and with electronic and physical manuals to choose from, you can select the format that’s right for you. This will be reviewed during a classroom session before your first Skills Practice session putting it into practice in the pool.

Skills Practice

Also known as ‘Confined Water’ sessions, you’ll practice and ultimately master the skills that will allow you to safely and effectively rescue a diver, what ever the situation. Our Skills Practice sessions will take place at local leisure centres on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.

You will enjoy a minimum of 6 hours in the pool, practising these skills before going on to complete them in an open water setting. If you’ve never dived in a drysuit, we will offer you the chance to complete a drysuit orientation session to ensure you stay comfortable before you progress to the Open Water dive site.

Open Water Dives

Over the course of a day, you’ll complete several exercises and a couple of ‘real world’ scenarios in open water. On successful completion, you’ll be recognised worldwide as a buddy anyone would be proud to be in the water with.

Course Pre-Requisites

There aren’t very many pre-requisites; almost anyone can sign up to become a rescue diver!

• Min Age: 12 years old
• Medically Fit: Complete this Medical Statement and have a GP countersign it if required.
• Ability: Some previous diving experience and first aid training required:
  1. PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Diver or Adventure Diver* (or equivalent) as a minimum
  2. Completed a first aid training course including CPR in the last two years (the EFR course is highly recommended).

* Adventure Divers must have completed the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive or have completed the Underwater Navigation Specialty prior to enrolment.

We’ll provide everything you need. We provide ourselves on ensuring there are no hidden costs.

As part of the PADI Rescue Diver course, you’ll be learning how to administer rescue breaths and oxygen. Having your own pocket mask and barrier pack is highly recommended and are provided in the Standard and Deluxe course options.

We highly recommend completing the Emergency Oxygen Provider Specialty while you’re with us during an extended classroom session, allowing you to gain the skills to help wherever and whenever the need arises. As first aid skills are also required, we can offer this training while you’re with us as part of the Deluxe course option.

We offer a minimum of 6 hours of ‘confined water’ pool training to help you master these potential life saving skills before heading to the open water dive site for a day of fun and adventure.

Each pool session lasts up to 4 hours (with up to 3 hours ‘in water’) and take place on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon at Macclesfield or Congleton Leisure Centres.

Knowledge Development can be completed at your own pace but will be reviewed with the NHDC team at our Dive Centre before your first pool session. During an extended session, you’ll have the option of completing the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Specialty and Emergency First Response course too.

Open Water exercises and scenarios are completed at an open water dive site over a day, with one arranged each quarter.

Due to the nature of this course, including the scenarios, it is best to participate in a schedule with other students. New Horizons aims to be flexible with arranging courses to suit your schedule so if the scheduled dates are not convenient please give us a call to discuss suitable alternatives.

Let us know you want to join us! Simply send us a Course Booking Form and completed Medical Statement. Once we’ve received your deposit we’ll issue your course materials, so you can get started straight away!

Get in touch for our bank account details or to make payment over the phone.

Your place will be confirmed on receipt of the Course Medical Statement (countersigned by a GP if required). Please note, we will not be able to start any in water activities without one!