Rescue Diver - Diver Rescue and Accident Management (DRAM)

📋 Prerequisites

• 👌 Age 15+ (12 to 14 see Policies, Procedures: Junior Diver Policy)
• 👌 Medical questionnaire or physician approval (Download here)
• 👌 Statement of Understanding/Waiver and Release completed and signed if adult or completed and signed by the student and parent/guardian if a minor (under age 18). (Download here)
• 👌 Advanced Open Water Diver certification or 10 logged dives after Open Water certification.
• 👌 Hold current certification in the following: CPR (NSC, AHA, ARC, ASHI or equivalent).
  • Prior to certifying the DRAM Rescue Diver, the following certifications must be completed:
  • First Aid (NSC, ARC, AHA, ASHI or equivalent).
  • Oxygen Provider (DAN or equivalent).
  • CPR (NCS, ARC, AHA, ASHI or Equivalent)
• 👌 Junior Open Water SCUBA Diver students must also meet the following:
  • Permission of parent or guardian to take course is required
  • Pre-course interview with instructor and parent(s) is required.
  • Attendance at all sessions of the course by parent or guardian is required unless Junior Waiver has been signed by a parent and properly witnessed.

🎒 Equipment

Students shall use the Minimum Student SCUBA System (see definitions).

Instructors, Assistant Instructors, Divemasters, and Teaching Assistants shall use the Minimum Leader SCUBA System.

Specialized rescue and first aid equipment as needed.

📚 Materials

• SCUBA Educators International DRAM Manual for each student
• SCUBA Educators International Air Diving Tables
• SCUBA logbook.

Certification

• DRAM Rescue Diver specialty program certification is awarded by the instructor upon completion of all course requirements.
• Certification is awarded when the instructor submits a properly completed and signed Certification Form and certification fee to the SCUBA Educators International Office.
• Renewal of DRAM Rescue Diver certification is not required.
• Instructor certification is commensurate with the instructor's card.

Note: SCUBA Educators International DRAM Rescue Diver certification is a pre-requisite to SCUBA Educators International Leadership Certification (Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor)

Renewal

Renewal is not required.

📘 Classroom Training

• 👌 For DRAM Rescue Divers (4 hours)
  • Cognizance of diving accidents (victim detection).
  • Assessment of diving accidents.
  • Rescue techniques.
  • Evacuation and support procedures.
  • Rescue techniques.
• 👌 For DRAM Rescue Diver Instructors:
  • All material covered for DRAM Rescue Divers.
  • Instructor orientation on planning and conducting a DRAM Rescue Diver Course (1 to 2 hours).

Note: this material is included in the leadership training institute.

📘 Pool or Confined Water Training

• 👌 Aquatic Stability Test
  • Lifesaving entry, approach stroke for 50 yards, continue free style for an additional 250 yards.
  • 15 minute float tread.
  • 50 foot underwater swim.
• 👌 Extensions.
• 👌 Approaches.
• 👌 Lifesaving and Lifeguard swim skills.
• 👌 Stabilization of a surface victim.
• 👌 Contact and handling of a stationary submerged victim.
• 👌 Descent arrests (use caution to avoid injury).
• 👌 Ascent arrests (use caution to avoid injury).
• 👌 Out of Air Emergencies (including alternate air source use and buddy breathing).
• 👌 Retrieval and Stabilization of Unconscious Submerged Victim (use caution to avoid injury).
• 👌 Tows.
• 👌 Deep water Rescue Breathing.
• 👌 Water egress.

📘 Open Water Training

• 👌 Pre-exercise briefing
  • Equipment care and loss prevention.
  • Personal safety in and out of water.
  • Handling an actual accident at the site.
  • Detailed outline of required dives stressing safety.
• 👌 All students are required to participate in open water dives designed to illustrate each of the major aspects of the DRAM Rescue Diver program as follows:
  • A SCUBA dive that involves no more than two students with one staff member: the staff member simulates being a victim and is rescued by one diver. This exercise should occur in no more than 30 feet of water and normally terminates after the victim has been stabilized on the surface.
  • Surface transportation and egress, which can involve a team approach using available resources to transport a simulated victim to a stable platform and prepare him or her for evacuation

DEMP Lifesaving Courses through Divers Alert Network Course - online modules, exam, and hands-on practice with Diving Emergency Management Provider (DEMP) courses consisting of CPR, First Aid, O2 Administration, Hazardous Marine Life, and Neurological Assessment.