The first step in pursuing a professional career in diving is to attain the PADI Divemaster certification. After you have become a certified Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver, you've reached a skill level that allows you take be trained as a PADI Divemaster. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you'll expand your diving theory and knowledge to the professional level. Then, in an especially fulfilling aspect of the course, you'll learn PADI's carefully designed techniques for supervising diving activities and assisting divers with training.

What You Learn

If your love of diving interests you in making it a full or part-time career, the PADI Divemaster course gets you started. Designed to develop your leadership abilities and expand your diving knowledge to a professional level. Whether or not you're on a career path, the Divemaster course can expand your capabilities and make you a better diver. The PADI Divemaster Manual covers: the role of the Divemaster, dive planning, dive management and control, and the procedures you'll use when supervising divers in a variety of activities and environments.

The divemaster course is divided into 3 phases:

1. Watermanship and skills
2. Knowledge development
3. Practical applications (internship)

In the pool, you will be evaluated on a 400-yard swim, 15-minute tread, 800-yard snorkel swim, 100-yard inert diver tow, full SCUBA skills circuit, and a problem-solving underwater equipment exchange. In open water, you will be evaulated on a simulated rescue of an unconcious diver and map-making exercises. Academic training involves completion of all exercises in PADI's Diving Knowledge Workbook and a final written exam. Internship includes 5 pool and 10 open water sessions.

Prerequisites:

• PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent certification
• PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent certification
• Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care or qualifying first aid/CPR training
• At least 20 dives to start the course and 60 dives for certification

Learning Materials:

• The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving (not included in course price)
• The Diving Knowledge Workbook
• Divemaster slates
• PADI Divemaster Manual
• CD-ROM with instructor outlines for Divemaster-conducted programs

Required Equipment: Mask, fins, snorkel, regulator with alternate air, SPG, depth gauge, compass, BCD w/low-pressure inflator, exposure protection, tank, weight system, dive knife, recreational dive planner, Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving.

Cost: $399 - includes PADI Divemaster Manual, Divemaster slates, Diving Knowledge Workbook. Cost does not include application fee.