I completed my Rescue Diver training in a difficult shore diving location for that type of training on the island with other than desirable conditions of 2 to 3 foot surf that day.
Upon entering the water and trying to get through the surf zone quickly while attempting to get fins on we were hit with several rogue waves that went about 3 foot over our heads and threw two of us onto nearby lava rocks. For the next several minutes we fought to remain in control of the situation as we were pounded on the rocks repeatedly. My mask was ripped off my head and my regulator ripped from my mouth four times. Luckily I always carry a spare mask in my BCD pocket. My computer console came between the sharp point of a lava rock and my chest with enough force to disintegrate the computer, thereby saving me from being severely injured. Throughout this whole ordeal we were getting pounded with enough force that we were still struggling to get our fins on so that we could fight back against the waves. Finally the waves let up enough for us to fin up at last and get off the rocks and out into open water where we continued with the rest of the training.
I ended up having a cracked rib and a bruise about the size of a basketball on the left side of my chest along with my right leg being bruised from my hip almost to my knee from the rock pounding. What I learned throughout the class in dealing with stress in less than ideal situations helped me to remain calm and survive the incident.
When my "panicked diver" at the bottom spit out his regulator and attempted to snatch the regulator from my mouth I jerked out of his way and he snatched my mask off instead. Since I just had my mask ripped off my head by the waves a few minutes earlier, this was no big deal and I was able to remain in control and manage the situation.
From all of the various courses that I have taken through PADI, I think I learned the most from the Rescue Diver course. Both from the way the course was taught, and the unfortunate turn of events in the water on the day of finals. My instructor didn’t let up on me or cut me any slack. Performing the scenarios over and over again each time adding a different "surprise" element made me think more each time we went through them. It has made me a better diver.