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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7541

Rescue diver

A rescue diver is a person who deals with underwater emergencies as a diver, working in seas and canals to search for and rescue people or objects in physically demanding conditions.

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Rate 5 of the 25 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

provide first aid

react calmly in stressful situations

comply with the planned time for the depth of the dive

deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances

display warnings around dive site

About rescue diver

The rescue diver dives with scuba equipment, anticipates and deals with problems underwater, handles diving emergencies and operates the rescue equipment. The diver tries to recognise a developing problem early: a diver whose air consumption is rising, a line that is fouling, a current that has changed.

The diver follows diving operating procedures and the legal requirements for diving, carries out diving interventions, and aborts a diving operation where that is necessary, for example when continuing the dive would put people at risk.

The rescue diver also looks after safety on the surface, deploying warning devices around the dive site to alert passing vessels. The diver applies crisis management techniques, and the rescue diver assists in sea rescue operations alongside other services. The job calls for good physical fitness. Certification is set by national rules on professional diving and water safety.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (25)

diving operation requirementsdiving operation requirementsThe operational plan and the contingency plan for the diving operation, the diving equipment to be used in the diving operation, the diving signals to be used in the diving operation, the in-water dec...crisis interventioncrisis interventionCoping strategies in crisis cases which allow individuals to overcome their problems or fears and avoid psychological distress and breakdown.diving equipmentdiving equipmentEquipment used for a dive, including wetsuits and drysuits, helmets, scuba equipment and any umbilical equipment which provides the connection with the surface.diving vessels systemsdiving vessels systemsThe characteristics, functioning and way of working with dynamic positioning systems, construction barges and dive support vessels.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.react calmly in stressful situationsreact calmly in stressful situationsReact quickly, calmly, and safely to unexpected situations; provide a solution that solves the problem or diminishes its impact.comply with the planned time for the depth of the divecomply with the planned time for the depth of the diveEnsure that a diver returns from a given depth after the planned time limit has expired.deal with pressure from unexpected circumstancesdeal with pressure from unexpected circumstancesStrive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.display warnings around dive sitedisplay warnings around dive siteEnsure that warning devices are displayed in the area around a dive site, so as to keep it clear of any equipment other than that associated with the diving operation.perform diving interventionsperform diving interventionsPerform hyperbaric interventions at a maximum pressure of 4 atmospheres. Prepare and review the personal equipment and the auxiliary material. Perform and supervise the dive. Realise maintenance of th...dive with scuba equipmentdive with scuba equipmentUse scuba equipment to dive without air supply from the surface.comply with legal requirements for diving operationscomply with legal requirements for diving operationsEnsure that diving operations comply with legal requirements, such as age, health and swimming abilities.perform search and rescue missionsperform search and rescue missionsAssist in fighting natural and civic disasters, such as forest fires, floods and road accidents. Conduct search-and-rescue missions.handle stressful situations in the work placehandle stressful situations in the work placeDeal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.maintain diving equipmentmaintain diving equipmentPerform maintenance actions, including small repairs, on diving equipment.ensure health and safety of dive teamsensure health and safety of dive teamsMonitor the safety of the dive teams. Ensure that the operation is carried out from a safe, suitable location as per diving operation manual. When necessary, decide whether it is safe to proceed with ...ensure diving operations conform with planensure diving operations conform with planEnsure that the dive adheres to the operational plan and the contingency plan.check diving equipmentcheck diving equipmentCheck diving equipment for valid certification to ensure its suitability. Ensure that any diving equipment is examined by a competent person before use, at least once on each day on which it is to be ...tolerate stresstolerate stressMaintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.implement dive plansimplement dive plansImplement dive plans, working with the client, vessel teams and marine superintendents.assist in maritime rescue operationsassist in maritime rescue operationsProvide assistance during maritime rescue operations.coordinate rescue missionscoordinate rescue missionsCoordinate rescue missions during the event of a disaster or during an accident, ensure that all possible methods are being used to ensure the safety of the people being rescued, and that the search i...interrupt diving operations when necessaryinterrupt diving operations when necessaryTerminate or interrupt the diving operation if you judge that continuing the operation is likely to endanger the health or safety of any person involved.apply crisis managementapply crisis managementTake control over plans and strategies in critical circumstances showing empathy and understanding to achieve resolution.
Optional (5) — show
critique the dive with the dive teamcritique the dive with the dive teamAssess the dive with the dive team upon completion. Instruct the diver(s) so as to improve procedures and routines for future dives.assist with emergenciesassist with emergenciesTake immediate action when an accident or medical emergency happens on-board. Identify the injuries and alert medical emergency staff. Seek to prevent further harm.maintain equipmentmaintain equipmentRegularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.conduct physical examination in emergencyconduct physical examination in emergencyConduct a thorough and detailed physical examination of the patient in emergency situations, using assessment skills such as observation, palpation, and auscultation and formulating diagnoses across a...assess nature of injury in emergencyassess nature of injury in emergencyAssess the nature and extent of injury or illness to establish and prioritise a plan for medical treatment.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

underwater construction supervisor10 shared essential skillsconstruction commercial diver8 shared essential skillsfire service vehicle operator5 shared essential skillslife guard4 shared essential skillsaquaculture cage technician3 shared essential skillsemergency ambulance driver3 shared essential skillsfirefighter3 shared essential skillshospital porter3 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a rescue diver do?

Rescue divers are divers that manage underwater emergencies. They prevent and manage problems underwater, handle dive emergencies and operate rescue equipment. Rescue divers manage diving operations in seas or waterways. They work under demanding physical conditions to rescue and retrieve people or objects.

What skills does a rescue diver need?

A rescue diver needs 25 essential skills, including diving operation requirements, crisis intervention, diving equipment, diving vessels systems, first aid.

Will AI replace rescue diver jobs?

The AI disruption score for rescue diver is 6/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: diving equipment, comply with legal requirements for diving operations, check diving equipment. Most resilient: perform diving interventions, tolerate stress, assist with emergencies.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills25

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