What are the prerequisites?

You must be a certified diver (PADI, SSI, NAUI, etc.) and in reasonably good health; Emergency First Responder/CPR is required but can be included with the class.

How many divers per instructor?

Groups are capped at four divers per instructor to ensure focused coaching and plenty of in-water practice.

How long is the course?

The Rescue Diver curriculum is run as a two-day course combining classroom, confined-water, and open-water sessions.

What's the minimum age?

Minimum age is 10 years old for this course; younger divers should check specific regulatory details with the shop.

Can I add a dive video package?

Yes—an optional dive video package is offered as an add-on to review technique and document scenarios for later study.

PADI Rescue Diver Course in Lahaina — Two-Day Maui Rescue Training

Rescue Diver Water Course runs out of 94 Kupuohi St a1, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States, and teaches the PADI Rescue Diver curriculum over two focused days. On Maui’s leeward shore you’ll move from a classroom briefing to confined-water skills practiced at a protected beach entry, then into open water where the Pacific exposes coral ledges, black lava shoreline, and schools of native reef fish. This course is widely regarded by divers as the most challenging yet rewarding step after your advanced certification: you learn to prevent and manage problems, build confident surface and underwater rescue responses, and sharpen problem‑solving until it becomes instinct.

The schedule blends short classroom sessions with hands‑on drills: gear fitting, safety briefings, confined practice on simulated panics and rescues, followed by paired open‑water scenarios and a second dive to consolidate skills. Small groups—four divers per instructor—mean plenty of time for coaching, video review if requested, and real‑time feedback. You must be a certified diver (PADI, SSI, NAUI, etc.) and in reasonable health; if you don’t already have Emergency First Responder/CPR, the course can include that certification so you leave fully qualified.

What makes this Maui course special is the setting and the pedagogy. The shoreline here is a living classroom: fringing reef patches, pockets of coral bommies and the occasional honu (green sea turtle) create realistic but manageable rescue scenarios. The instructors emphasize calm decision‑making under pressure, effective buddy management, and surfacing techniques suited to Hawaiian conditions—swell, currents, and lava‑rock entries—so what you practice here transfers directly to other tropical dive sites.

Local context matters: Lahaina’s waterfront has deep cultural roots—the town was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii—and the volunteers, guides, and shop staff take reef stewardship seriously. Expect reminders to use reef‑safe sunscreen, avoid touching coral, and follow local rules for protected marine areas.

This course is not just certification; it’s practical leadership training in marine safety. For divers who want to be better buddies, more confident leaders, and prepared responders, two intense days in Lahaina deliver new skills, tested under realistic conditions, plus memories and a certification eCard. If you’re planning dive travel around Maui, schedule early—the small class size fills quickly—and bring curiosity, patience, and your logbook.

Logistics are straightforward: the course lists a minimum age of 10 and groups are capped at four divers per instructor for focused in‑water coaching. Call the shop the day before between 4:00–5:30 pm to confirm and arrive 20 minutes early to secure the free parking noted at check‑in. Start the eLearning before arrival to maximize time in the water. Optional add‑ons like a dive video package let you review technique after dives and share rescue scenarios with your team and build confidence.