This is a five day performance-based course designed to train qualified Rescue Divers in how to control, manage, and supervise groups of divers. This course entails extensive development of diving skills and stamina, and includes a heavy emphasis in various theoretical aspects of diving. Upon successful completion of the course, the student is certified as a PADI Divemaster and qualifies for attendance at a PADI Instructor Development Course leading to eventual certification as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

The PADI Divemaster course is designed to train qualified individuals as supervisory personnel, and as such is the first level of diving as a professional. In this role, the divemaster may oversee general diving activities and serve as an instructional assistant. Divemasters may also lead dives for certified divers. As a Divemaster, you will also be a member of PADI, our certifying organization, allowing you to continue on with professional development if you so desire. But more than merely providing leadership training, the Divemaster course will help you to hone your diving skills to textbook quality and dramatically expand your academic knowledge to a completely new level. In so doing, you’ll be an example for other divers, as well as enrich your own diving enjoyment

• Work at local dive centers, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations
• Assist PADI Instructors with students
• Lead PADI Scuba Divers on guided dive tours
• Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers
• Teach PADI Discover Snorkeling programs
• Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
• Lead certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences
• Teach Emergency First Response programs after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course

• Must be 18 or older
• PADI Rescue Diver Certified (or equivalent)
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification
• Diving medical examination
• Completed 20 logged dives

• 8 lecture sessions
• 5 pool sessions
• 11 Open water sessions

• All appropriate SCUBA equipment (may be rented)

• Classes start about every two months

• Supervising General Diving Activities
• Assisting with Student Divers in Training
• Physics of Diving
• Physiology of Diving
• Decompression Theory and the RDP
• Diving equipment
• Diving skills and environment
• Divemaster Conducted Programs

• 400 yard swim in pool in 10 minutes or less
• 800 yard snorkel swim in pool in 17 minutes or less
• 15 minute water tread in pool
• 100 yard tired diver tow in ocean in 4 minutes or less

• General diving skills demonstrated in the pool
• Task loading assessment in the pool (equipment exchange while buddy breathing)

• Pool skill overview
• Role of the divemaster in confined water training
• Role of the divemaster in open water training
• Internship (assist with at least one full class and a minimum of 11 open water dives)

• Complete a Diving Emergency Assistance plan for a local training site
• Complete an underwater map for the same training site
• At least sixty logged dives are required for divemaster certification