Prerequisites

• 18 years or older
• Advanced Open water certification or equivalent
• Rescue Diver Certification or equivalent
• 40 logged dives

All candidates MUST achieve the prerequisites before the course commences. By the end of the course, each candidate must also achieve the following:

• 60 Logged dives
• Current CPR certification (EFR)
• Current first aid EFR or equivalent (within the last 24 months)
• Dive medical examination required by UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
• Proof of Night diving, Underwater Navigation, Search and Recovery and Deep diving (Logged dives / certified)

Administration

In addition to the prerequisites, the following administrative requirements must also be completed:

• Medical statement completed
• Statement of understanding completed
• Liability releases (statement of risk for UK) completed
• Course fees Paid
• Two passport photos received
• Photocopy of logged Night diving, Underwater Navigation, Search and Recovery and Deep diving handed in
• Proof of 40 or more logged dives

Knowledge Development

The purpose of the Knowledge Development section of the course is to provide candidates with a sound foundation of dive theory, health and safety considerations and role model and leadership behaviour. Each of the sections outline the role of Divemasters within the PADI professional organisation and defines the duties and expected behaviour of a Professional PADI diver. Knowledge is developed through candidate self-study and instructor lead development sessions using the Divemaster Manual, Encyclopaedia of Recreational Diving and the Knowledge Work Book.

Divemaster Manual and Knowledge Reviews

During the course each candidate will be directed to read the relevant chapter in the PADI Divemaster manual and complete the knowledge review at the end of each section. There is no pass/fail score for the knowledge reviews but candidates will need to have a high level of understanding before attempting the course exams. Additional tuition and self-study will be assigned if required.

Dive Theory

A Sound foundation of dive theory will be developed through instructor lead sessions followed by self-study using the Encyclopaedia of Recreational Diving and the Diving knowledge workbook. Dive theory consists of the following subjects:

• Physics
• Physiology
• Equipment
• Decompression Theory
• Dive Environment
• Divemaster Quizzes

At the end of the knowledge development sessions, candidates will complete the Divemaster quizzes. The Divemaster exam emphasizes the supervisory and leadership aspects of dive mastery.

Requirement:

The candidate will complete the following exams, without course manuals or assistance from other candidates.

• Physics
• Physiology
• Equipment
• Decompression Theory and eRDP
• Dive skills and Environment
• Divemaster Conducted Programmes
• Supervising certified divers
• Supervising students

 There are no time limits for the exams.
Scoring: The candidates must achieve a score of 75% or more in each section. If a candidate scores less than 75% further knowledge development sessions will be assigned prior to repeating the full exam.

REQUIRED TRAINING EXERCISES

STAMINA AND WATER SKILLS

All points for the water skills and stamina exercises are conducted in confined water except the Diver Rescue Assessment, which may be part conducted in confined water and part in open water. There are five exercises that evaluate stamina and water skills, each rated by points. There is no passing score for any single exercise but a combined score of 15 or more is required prior to certification. In addition candidates must complete all exercises prior to certification. Candidates who fall short of a combined score of 15 may have additional time to practice and develop there abilities while continuing in other areas of the course.

STAMINA EXERCISE 1 – 400 METRE SWIM

Swim 400 metres non-stop, without swimming aids and using any stroke or combination of strokes. The following criteria will be used to assess the exercise.

STAMINA EXERCISE 2 – 15 min Tread

Tread water, drown-proof, bob or float using no aids and wearing only a swimsuit for 15 minutes, with hands (not arms) out of the water during the last two minutes. The following criteria will be used to assess the exercise:

Exceptions: A candidate with a physical impairment that makes it difficult/impossible to hold hands out of the water is exempted from that portion of the exercise with no effect on the score.

STAMINA EXERCISE 3 – 800 METRE SNORKEL SWIM

Swim 800 metres face down, using mask, snorkel and fins, non-stop, without flotation aids and without using arms to swim. The following criteria will be used to assess the exercise:

Exceptions: A candidate with leg-use limitations who normally arm swims, may use arms.

STAMINA EXERCISE 4 – 100 METRE INERT DIVER TOW

Tow (or push) a diver for 100 metres non-stop, at the surface, without assistance – both divers equipped in full scuba equipment.

STAMINA Exercise 5 — Equipment Exchange

In confined water, demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to an unusual circumstance underwater by exchanging all scuba equipment (except exposure suits and weights) with a buddy while sharing a single regulator second stage.

Diver Rescue

 

Candidates must respond to an unresponsive, non-breathing diver. The following steps should be performed during the evaluation:

• Enter the water, locate and surface a submerged diver who is about 25 metres away;
• Turn the diver face up and establish buoyancy;
• Remove the diver’s mask and regulator, open the airway and check for breathing;
• Call for help;
• Give two initial rescue breaths, and continue with an effective rescue breath every five seconds with no or very few interruptions;
• Tow the diver to safety while protecting the airway, continuing rescue breathing;
• Remove both sets of equipment (Equipment handlers allowed);
• Exit the water with the diver (assistance is allowed only when physical challenges or the environment make it necessary).

Emergency Assistance Plan

Each candidate is required to produce an emergency assistance plan to develop their skills in dive planning and dive health and safety requirements. The course instructor will provide a detailed outline of the requirements with completion of the plan through candidate self study.

Dive Skills Evaluation

 

Candidates must demonstrate all scuba and skin diving skills, scoring at least a 3 on each skill, and scoring at least 82 points total, with at least one underwater skill to a 5.

Note: These criteria are used to score skill evaluations throughout all levels of PADI leadership training.

Dive Skills

1.   Equipment assembly, adjustment, preparation, donning and disassembly
2.   Pre-dive safety check (BWRAF)
3.   Deep-water entry
4.   Buoyancy check at surface
5.   Snorkel-regulator/regulator-snorkel exchange
6.   Five-point descent
7.   Regulator recovery and clearing
8.   Mask removal, replacement and clearing
9.   Air depletion exercise and alternate air source use (stationary)
10. Alternate air source-assisted ascent
11. Free-flowing regulator breathing
12. Neutral buoyancy
13. Five-point ascent
14. Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent
15. Hover motionless for 30 seconds
16. Underwater swim without a mask
17. Remove and replace weight system underwater
18. Remove and replace scuba unit underwater
19. Remove and replace scuba unit on the surface
20. Remove and replace weight system on the surface
21. Vertical, head first skin dive
22. Swim at least 15 metres underwater on a single breath while skin diving.
23. Snorkel clear using the blast method after ascending from a skin dive.
24. Snorkel clear using the displacement method after ascending from a skin dive.

Practical Application

 

Divemaster candidates must successfully complete the following practical skills, workshops and practical assessments. The workshops, practical assessments and skills can be combined as appropriate.

Practicals Skills

Skill 1 — Dive Site Set Up and Management

Divemaster candidates need to set up a dive site and manage pre-dive preparation, including:
• Choosing a location appropriate for divers to assemble equipment.
• Preparing emergency equipment, such as a first aid kit and oxygen unit.
• Greeting divers as they arrive at the site/boat and providing direction e.g. where to place equipment, location of nearest facilities, etc.
• Organizing a dive roster and reviewing check in and check out procedures with divers.
• Preparing and setting a float/dive flag if diving from shore, or ensuring the descent line and dive flag are ready, as appropriate, when diving from a boat.
• Choosing an appropriate vantage point from which to monitor the dive.
• Being accessible to answer diver questions and prepared to assist divers both before and after the dive.

Skill 2 — Mapping Project

Divemaster candidates must survey an open water dive site and create a detailed map of the site showing (as applicable to the site) underwater relief, important points of interest, any relevant environmental notes, recommended entry/exit areas, local facilities, and potential hazards.

Skill 3 — Dive Briefing

Divemaster candidates need to conduct a dive briefing for a familiar dive site covering all 10 points as listed below and on the Divemaster Slates. Encourage candidates to use their Mapping Project dive site map, if possible.
1 Dive site name
2. Site description
3. Your role and how divers can recognise you underwater, if appropriate.
4. Entry and exit techniques
5. Dive procedures
6. Emergency procedures
7. Signal review specific to the dive
8. Roster and buddy check
9. Environmental orientation
10. Pre- dive safety check

Skill 4 — Search and Recovery Scenario

Through a variety of search and recovery scenarios, Divemaster candidates need to complete the following:
• Demonstrate a methodical search of an area to find a small submerged object.
• Demonstrate a methodical search of an area to find a submerged object not more than 10 kilograms negatively buoyant.
• Tie the following knots correctly underwater: the bowline, two half-hitches and a sheet bend.
• Demonstrate how to safely rig and bring to the surface an object not more than 10 kilograms negatively buoyant using an appropriate lifting device.

Skill 5 — Deep Dive Scenario

With a deep dive planned, Divemaster candidates must complete the following:
• Before the dive, prepare emergency breathing equipment, and position it at the safety stop depth.
• Descend using a reference line, wall or sloping bottom as a visual guide only, while staying with a buddy and controlling the descent rate.
• Navigate with a compass at least 20 kick cycles away from and back to the reference line or designated spot.
• Use a depth gauge and timing device, or a dive computer to monitor an ascent rate no faster than 18 metres per minute while using a reference line, wall or sloping bottom as a visual guide only.
• Perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres before surfacing without holding on to a reference line for positioning.

Divemaster-Conducted Programs Workshops

 

Workshop 1: Scuba Review in Confined Water

Workshop 2: Skin Diver Course and Snorkelling Supervision

Workshop 3: Discover Scuba Diving Program in Confined Water

Workshop 4: Discover Scuba Diving Program – Additional Open Water Dive

Workshop 5: Discover Local Diving in Open Water

Practical Assessment

 

Divemaster candidates will work with student divers during Practical Assessments 1-3 and Divemaster candidates will work with certified divers during Practical Assessment 4. Assessments can be repeated if necessary until Divemaster candidates score at least a 3 on each performance requirement

Practical Assessment 1 — Open Water Diver Students in Confined Water

1. Organize pre-dive equipment setup by student divers.
2. Coordinate student diver flow during training.
3. Supervise student divers not receiving the immediate attention of the instructor during training.
4. Help a student diver overcome a learning difficulty.
5. Respond to, or prevent, student diver problems as they occur.
6. Demonstrate a skill for student divers.

Practical Assessment 2 — Open Water Diver Students in Open Water

1. Assess an open water training site; report to the instructor recommendations as to site suitability for training entry-level divers.
2. Organize pre-dive equipment setup by student divers.
3. Assist in the preparation of the site.
4. Coordinate student diver flow during training.
5. Supervise student divers not receiving the immediate attention of the instructor during training.
6. Respond to, or prevent, student diver problems as they occur.
7. Lead student divers on an underwater tour (ratio 2:1).

Practical Assessment 3 — Continuing Education Student Divers in Open Water

1. Coordinate student diver flow during training.
2 Escort continuing education student divers (under the indirect supervision of the instructor) during training; report performance and learning difficulties to instructor.
3. Help a continuing education student diver overcome a learning difficulty.
4. Respond to, or prevent, student diver problems as they occur.

Practical Assessment 4 — Certified Divers in Open Water

1. Conduct environmental and diver assessments, taking appropriate supervisory steps based on the assessments.
2. Give a pre-dive briefing appropriate to the dive site.
3. Account for buddy teams entering and leaving the water.
4. Respond to, or prevent diver problems appropriately.

Professionalism

 

Divemaster candidates must score at least a 3 in each category below by the end of Practical Application.

1. Level of active, positive participation in the training sessions.
2. Ability to serve as a mentor to student divers.
3. Willingness to follow directions.
4. Positive attitude and demeanour toward student divers/certified divers/staff.
5. Positive attitude and practice towards caring for the environment.
6. General understanding of a Divemaster’s role.
7. Appearance.

At time of certification, the candidate must have:
• Logged at least 60 scuba dives including experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation.
• Completed EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months.
• Read and agreed to the PADI Membership and License Agreement.

 

PADI Divemaster