At Divers Cove, we recently surveyed our dive community to better understand how divers feel about safety, confidence, and rescue training.
The results were clear — and honestly, a little concerning.
The Gap Between Belief and Action
77%
said rescue training is "very important"
65%
have NOT taken the Rescue Diver course
That's a big gap.
Divers know rescue skills matter — but most haven't taken the step to become trained.
Experience Doesn't Equal Preparedness
The largest group of respondents (45%) had 100+ dives logged. Many dive a few times a year or more.
Yet when asked about confidence in handling an emergency:
- The majority said they were only "somewhat confident"
- Many reported being "not confident" at all
More dives doesn't automatically mean you're prepared.
Skills Fade Faster Than You Think
Even among certified Rescue Divers:
- Over 50% have NOT practiced their rescue skills
- Most certifications were completed 5+ years ago
That means:
Skills degrade
Confidence drops
Reaction time slows
Real Emergencies Do Happen
28%
of divers have witnessed or experienced a dive emergency
And not all felt ready:
- Some reported being unsure how to respond
- Others said they were only partially confident
This isn't hypothetical.
It's already happening in the dive community.
The Good News: Divers Want This
61%
believe every diver should be Rescue trained
~50%
said they would attend a 2-day Rescue event
The top motivators were:
- Safer diving
- More confidence
- Short, focused training
- Real-world scenarios
What This Means
Divers aren't ignoring safety.
They're just:
- Busy
- Unsure where to start
- Or underestimating how impactful the training is
Why Rescue Diver Changes Everything
The PADI Rescue Diver course is where divers shift from passive participants to active, aware, and capable divers.
You learn to:
- Recognize stress before it escalates
- Prevent problems before they happen
- Respond effectively when they do
Introducing: Rescue Diver Ready
That's why we created the Rescue Diver Ready Weekend.
A focused, community-driven event designed to:
- Build real confidence
- Refresh critical skills
- Make rescue training accessible and engaging
This isn't about fear.
It's about being:
Prepared
Capable
Ready
Don't Just Dive. Be Rescue Diver Ready.
Because the data is clear:
Divers want to be safer
Divers want more confidence
Divers just need the opportunity
And one day — someone may need you.