Rescue Diver Course on Koh Tao: Prices With and Without First Aid

It depends on your first aid. If you already hold a current first-aid certificate the shop accepts: THB 10,000 at Isla Tortuga Divers, THB 11,000 at Siam Scuba, THB 12,000 at Big Blue Diving and THB 13,000 at Black Turtle Dive. If you need the first-aid course too: THB 14,000 at Isla Tortuga and THB 18,000 at Black Turtle, both published as one price; THB 16,000 at Siam Scuba, which its own price guide lists as Rescue plus EFR over 4 days; and THB 17,500 at Big Blue, which is our sum of its Rescue course (THB 12,000) and its React Right & Oxygen Provider course (THB 5,500), not a package price Big Blue publishes.

You need current first-aid training that the shop accepts. If you have it, you can book the cheaper rescue-only price. The PADI shops sell Emergency First Response (EFR): THB 4,000 on its own at Isla Tortuga, THB 5,000 at Black Turtle and THB 5,000 at Siam Scuba. Big Blue Diving asks for a valid CPR certificate before the course and sells React Right & Oxygen Provider for THB 5,500. Ask the shop which outside certificates it accepts and how recent they must be.

Siam Scuba lists 3 days for the rescue course and 4 days with EFR. Black Turtle's course page says 2-3 days. Big Blue Diving lists 2 days with 3 dives: theory and pool on day one, the exam and boat-based rescue scenarios on day two, plus 1 day if you take React Right. Isla Tortuga's price page doesn't state a length.

Yes at all four, as each shop states it. Black Turtle's course page says all equipment rental, including compass and dive computer, is in the price, along with the PADI e-manual and certification card. Isla Tortuga's price page says its prices include full equipment rental, digital PADI materials, certification fees and boat trips. Siam Scuba's price guide says every course price includes gear rental, boat trips, certification fees and tax. Big Blue Diving's course page says it provides all equipment and boat trips for the course.

Entry requirements vary by shop and agency. Black Turtle, Isla Tortuga and Siam Scuba list the Rescue Diver course after Advanced Open Water. Big Blue Diving takes Open Water divers aged 15 and over, but recommends some dive experience first. Ask the shop to confirm your existing certification, navigation training and first-aid certificate before paying a deposit. Black Turtle also sells Advanced Open Water and Rescue together as a 6-day course for THB 28,100, and Open Water, Advanced and Rescue as a 10-day package for THB 39,850.