Divemaster

Divemaster

The Course

Love scuba diving? Want to share it with others on a whole new level? Take the PADI Divemaster course and do what you love to do as a career or a fun side gig. Scuba divers look up to divemasters because they are leaders who mentor and motivate others. As a divemaster, you not only get to dive a lot, but also experience the joy of seeing others have as much fun diving as you do.

​The PADI Divemaster course is your first level of professional training. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you’ll fine-tune your dive skills, like perfecting the effortless hover, and refine your rescue skills so you anticipate and easily solve common problems. You’ll gain dive knowledge, management and supervision abilities so you become a role model to divers everywhere.

​As a PADI Divemaster, you’ll lead others as you supervise scuba diving activities and assist with diver training. Whether you want to work at a faraway dive destination or close to home at a local dive shop, the adventure of a lifetime awaits you. PADI Divemasters are respected dive professionals who are aligned with the largest and most respected dive organization in the world – PADI.

Requirements

Rescue Divers who are at least 18 years old may enroll in the PADI Divemaster course. You also need to have:

Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.

A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months.

At least 40 logged dives to begin the course and 60 dives to earn certification.

Note that qualifying certifications from other diver training organization may apply.

​The Learning

The PADI Divemaster course teaches you to be a leader and take charge of dive activities. Through knowledge development sessions, waterskills exercises and workshops, and hands-on practical assessment, you develop the skills to organize and direct a variety of scuba diving activities. Topics and practical workshops include:

  • The role and characteristics of the PADI Divemaster
  • Supervising dive activities and assisting with student divers
  • Diver safety and risk management
  • Divemaster conducted programs and specialized skills
  • Business of diving and your career
  • Awareness of the dive environment
  • Dive setup and management
  • Mapping an open water site
  • Conducting dive briefings
  • Organizing a search and recovery project and a deep dive
  • Conducting a scuba review and skin diver course
  • Assisting with Discover Scuba Diving and leading Discover Local Diving programs

​You’ll use Divemaster Online – PADI’s eLearning program – for Divemaster knowledge development. You will work through eight knowledge development sections using a web-based system that lets you learn at your own pace. You also have access to an online version of the Divemaster Manual for reference during and after the course.

​You will also take Dive Theory Online, another PADI eLearning program, that takes you step-by-step through dive physics, physiology, skills, equipment and environment, plus a Recreational Dive Planner (RDP) review. By successfully completing Dive Theory Online, you will earn credit for half of the Divemaster Final Exam. Your Instructor can explain how this works when you meet to schedule knowledge review sessions along with your waterskills exercises, workshops and practical assessments.

​For the rest of the course, you will be around and in the water either in the pool or at one of our open water sites. You will learn and practice skills and techniques as you apply your learning, and as you develop into a well-regarded professional Divemaster. You training will include skills development sessions, role play workshops and interaction with live scuba classes at all levels.

​You may consider taking the PADI Deep Diver and Search and Recovery Diver specialty diver courses along with your divemaster training to help you meet all requirements and to broaden your abilities.

​You may be able to get college credit for the Divemaster course.

​Get Started

​Stop by or call us for an in depth explanation of the PADI Divemaster program and requirements. We’ll provide you with a copy of our Divemaster Candidate Guide which explains the course and pricing in full.

​Our Divemaster Course does not run on a fixed schedule. It is self-paced and you can start anytime. You will complete the requirements as you desire and your time allows. Once enrolled in the Divemaster Course, one of our highly experienced Instructors will be assigned to you as a mentor. Your Instructor mentor will be your point of contact and guide as you progress toward your Divemaster certification.

​The Gear

​As a dive professional, you’ll want to have all your basic scuba equipment, including a dive computer, a dive knife, and at least two surface signaling devices. During practical skills exercises, like underwater mapping and search and recovery, you’ll use a compass, floats, marker buoys, lift bags and slates. Your Instructor may suggest additional gear that will be useful throughout your diving career.

​Check with us to get advice about everything you’ll need as a dive pro.

​The Next Step

​Now that you’ve gone pro as a PADI Divemaster, you may want to start teaching scuba diving courses. Your next stop is the PADI Assistant Instructor Course or PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). Ask your instructor about the possibilities.