Do I need prior scuba certification to join the Diver Stress & Rescue course?

Yes, you must be certified as an Open Water Diver to enroll.

Is CPR and First Aid certification included in the course?

You must have current CPR and First Aid certification from the last two years; Paragon Diving offers a bundle if you need it.

How much open water diving is involved?

The course includes at least one boat trip to the reef featuring two open water dives to practice rescue skills.

What age restrictions are there?

Participants must be at least 12 years old.

Can I rent diving equipment from Paragon Diving?

Yes, Paragon Diving offers rental gear to ensure you have all necessary equipment.

What certification do I receive after completing the course?

You earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification, recognized worldwide.

Diver Stress & Rescue Training with Paragon Diving in Big Pine Key | Water Activities

Located in Big Pine Key, Florida, Paragon Diving offers a specialized three-day Diver Stress & Rescue course designed to equip scuba divers with essential emergency management skills. This hands-on program is tailored for certified Open Water Divers aged 12 and up who want to deepen their understanding of underwater safety and rescue techniques. Delivered through a blend of classroom study and practical sessions—in both pool and open water environments—this course sharpens your ability to recognize diver stress, prevent accidents, conduct underwater rescues, and provide emergency care.

Big Pine Key is part of the Florida Keys archipelago, known for its vibrant coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life. The area serves as a world-class diving destination, with stunning reef formations and abundant sea creatures like parrotfish, nurse sharks, and sea turtles. Paragon Diving leverages this natural environment, including a boat trip featuring two reef dives, allowing students to practice skills in realistic settings.

Unlike standard recreational diving courses, the Diver Stress & Rescue training is an essential step for serious divers aiming for advanced certifications, focusing on preparedness and confidence in crisis scenarios. Paragon Diving stands out in the local scene by combining expert instruction with personalized guidance, backed by their knowledge of the Florida Keys’ unique ecology and boating conditions.

The course requires current CPR and First Aid certification, which can be bundled with training if necessary, maintaining safety as a top priority. By completing this program, divers earn the official SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification, a prerequisite for many professional diving activities.

Paragon Diving’s commitment to rigorous training and real-world application makes it a valuable resource for divers who want to elevate their skills beyond recreation and embrace responsibility for themselves and others on every dive.

About Paragon Diving

Paragon Diving in Big Pine Key, Florida, operates as a dive center offering a range of training courses and guided trips focused on technical and recreational scuba diving. The operation provides SSI specialty training and certifications, with offerings that include Decompression Diving, Deep Diving, Enriched Air Nitrox, Gas Blender, Search & Recovery, Wreck Diving, and React Right emergency first response.

Instruction combines classroom study, confined water practice, and open water boat dives where required by each program. Course formats range from one-day workshops such as Gas Blender and React Right to multi-day programs like the four-day Decompression Diver Bundle and two-day Deep Diving specialty. Several programs include scheduled boat trips and multiple dives to meet certification requirements.

Paragon Diving lists professional development pathways including Assistant Instructor, Divemaster, Specialty Instructor bundles, and guide training that prepare divers to lead or assist in supervised diving activities. Recreational courses such as Open Water Diver, Perfect Buoyancy, Navigation, and Equipment Techniques are also available for developing foundational skills.

The center emphasizes structured syllabi tied to SSI standards and provides online materials and detailed schedules for instructor-led experiences. Course descriptions specify practical skill sessions, hands-on exercises, and certification outcomes where provided. Interested divers should consult the Paragon Diving experience listings for exact itineraries, prerequisites, and required equipment before booking.

Contact information and booking details are available through the Paragon Diving listing on The Adventure Collective, where schedules, pricing, and reservation steps are published for each course and trip to help divers plan their trips effectively.