PADI Divemaster Course Outline
This is the first Membership/Professional Level in the PADI System. The Divemaster certification allows you to assist in teaching PADI courses, plan and guide dives for certified divers, and independently conduct several experience programs in the PADI system.
With your first “Black” Divemaster C-Card you are employable in the diving industry! Move on to become an Assistant Instructor, Open Water Instructor, and beyond.
Minimum Age: 18yrs.
Prerequisite:
Age requirement and medical evaluation – a Physician’s Medical Clearance to Dive must be conducted within 12 months prior to start of course. The Student may not be the signing Physician. Paperwork can be completed in advance or at course registration. PADI Rescue Diver certification, or an equivalent rating is required for this course. If the candidate holds an equivalent Rescue certification, but their Divemaster Course Rescue Assessment is inadequate, the candidate must complete a PADI Rescue Diver Course. The candidate must have 20 logged dives to begin the Divemaster course (60 logged dives, showing experience in Night, Deep and Underwater Navigation are exit requirements). EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE course, or equivalent including basic first aid and CPR techniques, is an entry requirement for this course; training must be current (within two years).
A Learning Agreement must be reviewed and signed in addition to course paperwork. Once registered, any session the student misses must be made up at an extra charge or during the next regular course schedule, or forfeit remaining course fees. As some parts of this course will involve working with Students in other courses, it is essential that the Divemaster candidates are strongly committed to the schedule and workload involved with this course.
Course outline:
Course includes all materials. It is highly recommended that students own all of their own equipment, as familiarity with personal gear improves general diving skills. In addition to SCUBA equipment a knife, depth gauge, compass, timing device, Tables and whistle/surface signaling device are all required for this course.
Divemaster certification covers Knowledge Development (12 sections), Waterskills and Stamina (including an evaluation of the 18 required skills to Demonstration Quality), and Practical Application.
Knowledge Development
This section covers 12 topics and prepares the candidate for a supervisory role, with the academic knowledge required to fully understand and assist with all aspects of PADI courses and independently conduct experience programs. Independent Study (using the Workbook and Encyclopedia) is critical in this portion of the course. A complete understanding of this material will enable the candidate to successfully complete the Divemaster Final Exams. Knowledge on topics such as Tables, Standards and Procedures, Diving Skills, and Assisting with Students in Training, among others, are all covered in the Divemaster course manual, as well as manuals from the Rescue, Advanced and Open Water Courses. Candidates will therefore find copies of these manuals useful in the Divemaster course.
Waterskills and Stamina
This portion of the course tests the candidate in all areas of in-water fitness and proficiency. The Skill Circuit covers all the skills learned in the Open Water Course and must be developed to ‘demonstration quality’, i.e. the Divemaster candidate must be able to display each skill clearly, such that a Student would be able to understand the mechanics of the skill and repeat them. The candidate must also complete: a 400m Swim; an 800m Snorkel Swim; a 100m Tired Diver Tow; and the Diver Rescue Assessment. These tests are scored but there is no time limit; they are designed to test stamina and ability rather than speed.
Practical Application
This section builds the skills that are specific to a supervisory role. As well as assignments designed to build problem solving and leadership skills, there are two options available to candidates in this part of the course: Internship or Practical Training Exercises. Internship provides the candidate with experience in assisting with actual courses conducted by a certified PADI instructor. Practical Training Exercises are designed to simulate this experience through mock-training sessions. The candidate and their instructor will select the best alternative depending on logistics and course scheduling.
Course Fees:
Course Fees vary depending on your schedule and the number of students in your group. Individual students can be added to existing groups, or may choose to take a private course. Review your schedule with our staff and receive a quote on your course.
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