A better way to learn to dive! 

To qualify for entrance into the PADI Divemaster course, you must:

• Be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water diver, or equivalent

• Be certified as a PADI Rescue Diver, or equivalent

• Have logged at least 40 dives in your personal logbook

• Be at least 18 years of age by the start date of the course

• Submit a medical clearance signed by a physician

• Have a complete set of SCUBA equipment

 

Characteristics expected of a PADI Divemaster:

• Exemplary diving skills

• Exceptional Rescue Diver skills

• Professional-level knowledge of dive theory

• Competence as a certified assistant

• Dive management and supervision abilities

• Ethical role model behavior

• Enthusiastic and fun!

 

As a certified PADI Divemaster, you will be qualified to:

• Independently guide Open Water diver students on the tour portion of the Open Water diver course training dives 2-4, at a ratio of 2:1

• Accompany Open Water students under the indirect supervision of an Instructor during surface swims, navigation exercises, and staying with the group while the Instructor conducts skills such as ascents.

• Conduct any subsequent dives for Discover Scuba Diving, at a ratio of 2:1 (if insured), after they successfully completed the first dive with an Instructor.

• Conduct Discover Local Diving experiences for certified divers (if insured)

• Conduct Discover Snorkeling (if insured)

• Conduct Scuba Review for certified divers (if insured)

• Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers independently (if insured)

• Accompany certified divers during training dives, generally supervise training and non-training activities, assist a PADI instructor in the confined water (increase ratios by 4 additional students) and assist in the open water (increasing ratios by 2 additional students) for the Open Water course. Also, your assistance can increase the allowable student ratio for an Instructor by 4 additional students for courses beyond the Open Water course.

 

There are 3 segments of the PADI Divemaster course:

 

1 - Knowledge Development

You will be required to successfully pass 8 exams:

• Supervising Activities For Certified Divers

• Supervising Student Divers In Training

• PADI Divemaster Conducted Programs

• Dive Physics

• Dive Physiology & First Aid

• Equipment

• Decompression Theory And The RDP’s (Tables And Wheel)

• Dive Skills And The Environment

The first 3 exams are best studied from the PADI Divemaster manual. The following exams should be studied from the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving and the Diving Knowledge Workbook. Additionally, you will be required to turn in the completed Knowledge Reviews at the end of each module of the Divemaster manual.

 

You may complete individually, or part of a team, an emergency assistance plan for a local dive site. This information should include medical contact information, local authorities, nearest re-compression facility, communication requirements and any other important information. You will also make a map of the local dive site – individually or as part of a team.

 

2 - Watermanship And Stamina

This portion may be completed in as little as 2 or 3 pool sessions or confined open water.  You must score at least 12 points for the following exercises:

1.     400 yard swim – without stopping – no swim aids

2.     15 minute tread – with hands out for the last 2 minutes

3.     800 yard mask, snorkel & fin swim

4.     100 yard inert diver tow

5.     Additionally, you will need to master an effective rescue of an unresponsive diver. This will include in-water resuscitation and   equipment removal of both rescuer and victim.

 

Another portion of the waterman-ship and stamina is the skill circuit. You will learn how to demonstrate the following skills (with a score of 3 or better):

 

• gear assembly

• pre-dive safety check (BWRAF)

• deep water entry

• buoyancy check at surface

• 5 point descent

• weight belt R & R (remove & replace)

• fin pivot

• 5 point ascent

• snorkel-regulator exchange

• BC - R & R (remove & replace)

• hover motionless

• buddy breathing stationary

• buddy breathe swimming

• mask R & R (remove & replace)

• free flow regulator

• alternate air source – stationary

• emergency swim ascent

• regulator recover & clear (remove & replace)

 

3 - Practical Application 

This is the portion where you get to put it all together – applying the knowledge and skill you mastered in the previous sections.

• You will conduct an actual Discover Snorkeling, Discover Local Diving, Scuba Review or Skin Diver course under the direction of a PADI Instructor. Close attention will be paid to your ability to complete a briefing, effective and safe in water supervision, and a debriefing.

• You will participate in at least 5 confined water sessions while training actual students.

• You will participate in at least 4 open water training dives.

• You will participate in at least 1 open water training dive from a continuing education course.

• You will assist in a supervisory situation with certified divers not enrolled in a formal course.   

 

The question often pops up, “How long will it take to finish the course?”  Well, this course like all the other PADI programs, is performance based. This means that you will be allowed to progress at your own pace. Some master the academic knowledge in a matter of days while others may take a few weeks. Completing the practical application portion can also vary. Some candidates will be able to devote everyday to this training while others may wish to spread it over several months. Therefore, it is possible to complete the course in as little as 3 weeks or up to a year or better.

 

You can expect to get approximately 10 – 15 dives during your training which will credit toward your required 60 dives to complete your training.

 

COST: Contact the Instructor, the tuition does not include any of your course materials or elearning fees.

PREREQUISITES:  Advanced Open Water Certification. CPR/1st Aid Certification.

WE PROVIDE: Instruction with a PADI Professional.

STUDENTS PROVIDE: Proof of scuba certification, Logbook, RDP (table or electronic) OR dive computer, BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Mask/Snorkel/Fins, tanks and weights, Audible surface signaling device (whistle or horn) and pocket mask.

PREPARATION: Please contact the Instructor for specific requirements BEFORE attending the course.

RELEASE FORM REQUIRED: Liability Release and Assumption of Risk, Medical Statement, Standard Safe Diving Practices. (please see our "Links" page to download these and have them completed before training begins) Note: If you have a YES to one of the medical questions, you will need to get a doctor’s approval before participating in this program. Please call the shop and speak to an instructor for more details.

REGISTRATION: Call 1(405) 831-9688 to make a reservation. 24 hour cancellation policy.