The first professional diving level
Divemaster is the first professional level in diving. A diver who completes the Divemaster course can take responsibility for a group of divers: organise and lead dives for beginners and experienced divers alike, assist the instructor on courses and solve problems that come up in the group.
On the Divemaster course you learn both diving skills and the role of a leader. You put what you learn into practice working with real diving students. When you finish you receive an international PADI or SDI Divemaster certificate.
What you learn
Leading dives
Plan and organise dives, assess the water conditions and the underwater environment, give a briefing and a debriefing, watch the divers and spot problems early.
Assisting the instructor
Help on Open Water and higher-level courses: supervise students in the pool and in open water, spot mistakes and give advice.
Safety and rescue
Manage stress and panic in a group, help a diver at the surface and underwater, and organise help in an emergency: first aid, oxygen, CPR.
Equipment and navigation
Check and prepare equipment before a dive, recognise faults, control your buoyancy precisely and navigate underwater with a compass and natural references.
Theory and paperwork
Dive physics and physiology, dive computers, risk management, keeping logbooks and student records.
How the course runs
Theory is combined with practice in the pool and in open water. During the course you take swimming and stamina tests, demonstrate diving skills to the standard students learn from, and lead dives under the instructor's supervision. You can complete the course intensively or spread it over a longer period.
What comes next
Once certified, you can assist the instructor on courses and lead dives for certified divers, following your organisation's standards.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do after the course?
Assist the instructor on diving courses and lead dives for certified divers, following your organisation's standards.
How many dives do I need?
At least 40 logged dives to start the course and 60 to certify. SDI also accepts 50 dives with at least 25 hours underwater in total.
How long does the course take?
12 to 30 days, depending on your schedule and experience.
Do I need a first-aid course?
Yes. PADI requires CPR and first-aid training within the last 24 months, SDI current first-aid and oxygen provider certificates. You can take both courses with us.