What is a PADI Divemaster?

The Divemaster rating is the first "Professional membership" level within PADI. You will begin to use your diving skills and knowledge to help others experience this great sport.

The Divemaster course expands the problem solving skills developed by the PADI Rescue programme, and extends them from accident management and prevention scenarios to supervisory situations with student divers and certified divers. At the Divemaster level, problem solving includes more than safety-related issues, and includes handling customer service, business and operational challenges. The dive community expects several characteristics of a PADI divemaster.

Click here for the full Divemaster course schedule!

These include:

• Exemplary diving skills:- The Divemaster's skills can be used as demonstrations for student divers.
• Rescue skills:- The Divemaster can prevent and manage accidents, and role model rescue skills for student divers in training.
• Professional-level knowledge of dive theory:- Depth of theoretical knowledge goes hand-in-hand with expertise and professionalism. This is the foundation for problem solving and creativity in Divemaster's duties, and for subsequent growth as a PADI Assistant Instructor.
• Competence as a certified assistant:- Divemasters know how to support instruction by handling logistical and supervisory situations as well as limited educational duties under an instructor's supervision.
• Dive management and supervision abilities:- Divemasters accept appropriate, limited responsibility for certified divers within the context of leading or managing diving activities. This requires good people skills and good judgement along with a strong working knowledge of dive environments and activities. The Divemaster assists dive operations with risk management.
• Ethical role model behaviour:- Divemasters are expected to display common honesty and courtesy, and follow accepted, responsible dive practises. Their behaviour reflects well on them, the dive operation they work for, as well as PADI.
• Enthusiasm and fun:- People learn to dive for the excitement, adventure, and challenge - or broadly, for fun. They look to Divemasters to assist them in having fun within their interests and skill levels. Divers expect Divemasters to be pleasant and sociable individuals to interact with.

What makes up the program?

Your Divemaster training is done in four parts. The first is the development of your diving knowledge through self study, using several PADI Manuals. During the second phase of your training you'll complete six sessions over several weeks, covering theory, practical skills and stamina exercises.

The practical skills will include:

• 400m swim-under 11 min
• 800m snorkel swim-under 18 min, 30 sec.
• 15 min water tread-last 2 min, hands out
• 100m tired diver tow-under 4min, 20 sec.
• Skill evaluation circuits
• Equipment exchange
• Underwater Map
• Emergency Assistance Plan
• Rescue Assessment

During the next phase you will sit exams on the following subjects:

• Dive Planning
• Supervising Students
• Dive Physiology
• Diving skills and the environment
• Recreational Dive Planner
• Dive Management
• Diving Physics
• Diving Equipment

The last phase of your training will involve an internship that includes:

• Two Openwater Dive Courses
• One Advanced, Rescue or Speciality Course openwater session
• Assist running a charter trip
• Assist on a scuba review session

You will have the choice of our entire training schedule so you can complete your internship in the minimum time needed or take your time and help on as many as you want! You will also have access to the Pool Complex for skills practise.

What are the prerequisites?

Prior to beginning your Divemaster training you will need the following:

• PADI Adventures in Diving (used to be called the Advanced Course) or equivalent
• PADI Rescue or equivalent
• First Aid and CPR within 2 years
• The PADI Emergency First Response Course is recommended.
• 20 Logged dives (60 before cert.)
• Medical within 12 months - If you plan on working in NZ. You have to get a full "Commercial Divers Medical" and apply for a "Certificate of Competence" from OSH before you can start working. We recommend getting the full medical now, rather than just the recreational version, to avoid dissapointment after you put in the effort of passing the course. Just ask us for details!

How much does it cost?

The Dive Centre Divemaster Course costs $1250 and includes your Divemaster Manual and slates, Diving Knowledge Workbook (worth $45), Encyclopaedia of Recreational Diving (Worth $110), PADI Wheel RDP (Worth $150), the eRDP (worth $49), all Instruction, Charter Boat Fees, and air fills.

PADI membership fees are payable by you for the area in the world you want to work, and then you can start helping teach people to dive!

Being able to introduce people that have never dived before, to what it is like in the underwater world is a life changing experience, one that not only challenges you physically and mentally but rewards you in many ways.

Share your passion for diving and start your adventure by phoning us on (09) 444 7698 or email us now!

 

DIVEMASTER SCHEDULE

October 2009

DM-10-09 - Tues 6, Thurs 8, Sat 10, Tues 13, Thurs 15, Sat 17, Tues 20

March 2010

DM-3-10 - Mon 8, Wed 10, Sat 13, Mon 15, Wed 17, Sat 20, Mon 22

While every effort is made to ensure all information is correct, details are subject to change without notice.

Please phone us on (09) 444 7698, or email us now, for availablility and confirmation of course dates.