ActionQuest: Rescue

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Choice Camps Recommendation of ActionQuest: Rescue

The AQ experience is centered on small, co-ed, age appropriate groups of 8 to 20 teenagers. For more than 30 years, ActionQuest has offered water-based adventure training programs for teens around the world. This encourages close friendships to form while fostering unique, hands-on experiences. Programs are non-competitive, adventure-based, and most are run full-time aboard sailing vessels.

From introductory to advanced sailing and SCUBA, water sports, land excursions, cultural immersion, tropical marine biology and community service – ActionQuest delivers fast-paced action for every experience level and adventurer. All ActionQuest programs and certification courses are performance-based as instructors work one-on-one with students to help them master a variety of skills. For teenagers looking for a high action, life-changing adventure that promotes personal growth, teamwork, and leadership, ActionQuest may be the perfect experience.

Trip Description

Rescue is a prerequisite for those looking to become a Divemaster or Instructor. The PADI Rescue Diver is the highest non-professional SCUBA certification and ActionQuest recommends that any certified diver advance to at least this level of training, as it thoroughly prepares you to deal with any emergency situation. Sailing as part of ActionQuest’s advanced diving fleet, Rescue shipmates plunge right in with beach and open water modules.

You’ll become a DAN (Divers Alert Network) Oxygen Provider, as well as a Red Cross First Aid and CPR responder. Certifications in Underwater Navigation and Search and Recovery are also taught, and depending on your previous experience, you may qualify for the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating. You’ll get a first hand introduction to the Divemaster course by helping guide the ActionQuest Neptune group through rescue scenarios. While diving is the main focus of the voyage, navigating the BVI offers plenty of opportunity to fine tune your sailing, water skiing, and wakeboarding moves as well as explore the island towns.

Staff Overview

With an average age of 27, ActionQuest staff members are young, dynamic teachers who live aboard with travelers 24/7. Most of the core operational staff work full-time as educators with Sea|mester, ActionQuest’s college-level marine science program. Others are traditional teachers and specialists during the year. More than 75% of AQ staff members return each summer and 56% were once shipmates themselves.

Every ActionQuest team member possesses the essential abilities for their particular area of expertise, yet most are multi-talented, combining the many skills necessary to operate a mobile live-aboard training program. Team members include U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, IYT/RYA Yachtmasters, PADI scuba instructors, marine scientists, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics and other water sport instructors. All staff members are trained first aid responders. During pre-summer, staff members complete an intensive training program encompassing safety procedures, risk management, equipment maintenance and operation, itinerary planning as well as instruction in teambuilding and communication facilitation.

Setting & Accommodations

The Rescue Voyages are run aboard either large catamaran or monohull sailing yachts. ActionQuest uses only the finest charter yachts available, all of which are in the 45+ foot range. Typically, the program uses the Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46 catamaran. Each Bahia 46 has 8 separate sleeping areas, a large salon which converts to a 9th cabin, and four full bathrooms (heads). The world's largest charter company, Sunsail, maintains all ActionQuest yachts to the highest standard.

From the moment you arrive, you'll move aboard your yacht and live on board full time. All the boats have multiple cabins and a large salon that converts to an extra sleeping area, so there's enough room for everyone to sleep down below if it should rain, but, for the most part, the evenings are clear and dry and most participants like to sleep out on deck, swinging in a hammock under the stars.

Safety Standards

Safety is ActionQuest's first priority. Their activities are adventurous and to say that there are no ricks would be misleading. However, awareness of potential risks is the key to effective control and management. Risk management and safety training is a core part of operating our programs and is intergrated in a number of specific ways. On program, they sail with certified Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics and tow Rescue boats in our fleet for rapid and dependable transportation. All of their staff are first aid and CPR trained during our pre-summer orientation and most come with previous safety training from their field of specialty - yachting and scuba instruction or in the field of education.

ActionQuest: Rescue Session Dates

Session Name	Dates	Ages	Tuition
Trip One	6/15/10-7/5/10	15-18	$5,330
Trip Two	7/7/10-7/27/10	15-18	$5,330
Trip Three	7/29/10-8/14/10	15-18	$4,830

Trip Overview

Program Overview

Theme: Sailing and SCUBA
This Trip has Multiple Themes:
- Hiking and Backpacking
- Sailing and SCUBA
Trip Gender: Co-ed
Group Size : 150
Camper-to-Counselor Ratio: 4:1
Religious Affiliation: None