This is first step up the PADI professional ladder and to becoming a PADI instructor.

To enter a PADI Divemaster Course you need to be a PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent, have logged 20 dives and be at least 18 years.

During this course you will develop a high level of personal diving skill, instructor level knowledge in the 5 areas of dive theory, learn how to supervise and control certified divers and have significant training in how to assist an instructor during training activities and independently conduct a range of PADI programs.

The course can be divided in various parts and include:

• Watermanship and skills assessment which looks at your general water and diving ability, skills and teaches you how to demonstrate skills as well as testing your general diving ability and Rescue Skills.
• Knowledge Development which takes you through a variety of topics from the PADI Divemaster manual and also covers the topics which you can expect at your IDC and Instructor Examination (IE) : Physics, Physiology, General Skills and the Diving Environment, RDP and Equipment. The Knowledge Development takes place through a mixture of Independent Study Assignments and classroom presentations
• Practical Application This involves a mixture of Open Water and Confined Water training dives with actual PADI courses and students where you will work along side your instructor as their assistant.
• Real work experience “working as a DM”, ie being out on the boat leading dives, giving briefings and debriefings, assisting certified divers with problems etc

These training sessions enable you to gain practical experience as an instructional assistant and dive supervisor of open water diving activities, both as a coordinator and as an underwater guide.

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