Dive Master Course

Be a leader who mentors and motivates others. Gain dive knowledge, supervision abilities, and become a role model to divers around the world.

Description

Love scuba diving? Want to share it with others on a whole new level? Take the PADI Divemaster course and do what you love to do as a career. Scuba divers look up to divemasters because they are leaders who mentor and motivate others. As a divemaster, you not only get to dive a lot, but also experience the joy of seeing others have as much fun diving as you do.

The PADI Divemaster course is your first level of professional training. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you’ll fine-tune your dive skills, like perfecting the effortless hover, and refine your rescue skills so you anticipate and easily solve common problems. You’ll gain dive knowledge, management and supervision abilities so you become a role model to divers everywhere.

As a PADI Divemaster, you’ll lead others as you supervise scuba diving activities and assist with diver training. Whether you want to work at a faraway dive destination or close to home at a local dive shop, the adventure of a lifetime awaits you. PADI Divemasters are respected dive professionals who are aligned with the largest and most respected dive organization in the world – PADI.

PADI Rescue Divers who are at least 18 years old may enroll in the PADI Divemaster course. You also need to have:

• Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.

• A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months.

• At least 40 logged dives to begin the course and 60 dives to earn certification.

Note that qualifying certifications from other diver training organization may apply – ask your PADI Instructor.

Academic

The PADI Divemaster course teaches you to be a leader and take charge of dive activities. Through knowledge development sessions, waterskills exercises and workshops, and hands-on practical assessment, you develop the skills to organize and direct a variety of scuba diving activities. Topics and practical workshops include:

• The role and characteristics of the PADI Divemaster

• Supervising dive activities and assisting with student divers

• Diver safety and risk management

• Divemaster conducted programs and specialized skills

• Business of diving and your career

• Awareness of the dive environment

• Dive setup and management

• Mapping an open water site

• Conducting dive briefings

• Organizing a search and recovery project and a deep dive

• Conducting a scuba review and skin diver course

• Assisting with Discover Scuba Diving and leading Discover Local Diving programs

Your instructor may also offer the PADI Deep Diver and Search and Recovery Diver specialty diver courses along with your divemaster training to help you meet all requirements and to broaden your abilities.

You may be able to get college credit for the Divemaster course

Equipment

As a dive professional, you’ll want to have all your basic scuba equipment, including a dive computer, a dive knife, and at least two surface signaling devices. During practical skills exercises, like underwater mapping and search and recovery, you’ll use a compass, floats, marker buoys, lift bags and slates. Your PADI Instructor may suggest additional gear that will be useful throughout your diving career.

Check with your local dive center to get advice about everything you’ll need as a dive pro.

Getting Started

• All year round (yes even winter!)

• Don't see a tour time that works for you or want to book for a special occasion? Contact us to book a Private Course!

• Approx. 2.5 hours at the site

• Maximum 10 students per instructor (let us know in advance for large parties)

Booking & Scheduling

Contact Us for information on becoming a Dive Master.

For your safety, all participants must:

• Have read, signed, and followed directions on the online medical statement (link provided in confirmation email)  PDF

• Have our Medical form signed off by a doctor if they are age 60 or older  PDF

• Sign our liability release form  PDF

• Be at least 13 years of age (students 12 years of age and younger are required to take private classes.)

• Be comfortable in water and be able to swim

• Be able to communicate in English

• Not be pregnant

Q: My summer schedule is booked! When can I take a class?

A: We dive year round! Thanks to Dry Suits, you’ll be surprised how manageable the cold is.

Q: Can I buy food close by?

A: We typically provide lunch or snacks, if you have special dietary requirements please pack a lunch. There is a shop close to the dive sites with typical convenience store food.

Q: Do I need to pay for Parking?

A: State Parks in Arkansas require a $5 day pass (paid at the entrance) to help keep our parks beautiful, clean, and provide bathrooms. It is a small price to pay. (Please bring cash for the pass)

Q: Can I bring my own equipment?

A: Yes absolutely, using your own equipment whenever possible will let you feel more comfortable in the water without having to learn a new setup each time. Please bringing older equipment to our shop first to have it checked and serviced before your dive, this will ensure it is in good working condition so you don’t miss the dive.

Q: How much time should I allow?

A: Class times are usually on a week day in the evening around 6pm for 1-2 hours. Pool dives also on a weekday evening for 1-2 hours. Open water dives will be on Saturday and Sunday, travel time is about 2 hours. We will meet at the site dive, do portions of the course on land and in water and come home. On these days you’ll need to plan 6 hours or longer depending on size of class and how quickly we get through the material.

Q: What do I do if I have more questions?

A: Call us, we would be happy to talk through any questions or concerns.

During the open water lake portion of our dives we typically dive at Beaver Lake, please stay in contact with your instructor in case something changes.

Now that you’re Open Water Certified, you’ve got so many options!