International Life Saving Federation

Minimum Recommended Competencies

A Rescue Dive Master is a person trained to use advanced scuba equipment and other underwater dive equipment for search, rescue, and recovery.

The following are the minimum competencies recommended by the International Life Saving Federation for a Rescue Diver.

ILS recognises that many of its Member Federations have standards, which exceed these minimums, based on the circumstances presented in their own countries.

ILS encourages the highest possible standards in lifesaving, and merely provides the following as recommended minimum competencies.

Prerequisites for Courses Attendance

• Be in membership of a National Federation itself in membership of ILS
• ILS International Rescue Diver Certificate, or equivalent certificate from a National Federation in membership of ILS.
• Medical confirmation to determine the candidate's fitness for scuba diving.
• Proof of at least 40 dives within a 10-30 metres depth range, including a minimum of 20 dives in a depth of about 30 metres, after obtaining the ILS Rescue Diver's Certificate.
• Additional requirements (special training programmes) :
  • Rescue diving exercises (including self-rescue), search and recovery.
  • Dive Control Chief (leader of rescue diving operations).
  • Under water orientation.
  • Under water working.
  • Particular knowledge of air compressors.
  • Seamanship (basic principles; be able to participate in the normal running of a dive boat).

Examination Conditions

• In open water with mask, snorkel and fins:
  • Demonstrate competence in the use of mask, snorkel and fins, by swimming 1500 metres, followed by a 10 metres surface dive to recover an object.
  • Demonstrate fitness and ability to support self and/or victim following fast surface swim of 100 metres and 20 seconds surface dive, a surface period of 10 seconds maximum followed by a further snorkel dive to 3 metres to recover a manikin of 1.5 kg apparent weight, to be towed on the surface for 50 metres.
  • Wearing full equipment, swim on the surface 1000 metres using snorkel.
• Testing the theoretical and practical experience of the candidate as a responsible team leader, especially in cases of large rescue (action) diving operations.

Remark: All practical and theoretical demands are included in the programme of the ILS Rescue Diver's examination and the special training programmes; also the skills with mask, snorkel and fins (1) may be included in such a programme.

Statement

The ILS Rescue Dive Master Certificate covers the examinations of the three star *** CMAS-Brevet; it is formally recognised and can be converted.