PADI DIVEMASTER COURSES
Doing your Divemaster Course is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Learning to be a Dive Pro is a great experience that equips you to work your dream job. You get the chance to dive anywhere in the world while earning a living.
One of the best places in the world to do your Divemaster Course is right here in the Palm Beaches. Here are just a few reasons why.
- The Blue Heron Bridge is your backyard. No joke! The number one shore diving site in the U.S. is walking distance from the dive shop.
- You get excellent training from experienced Dive Pros and mentors. Check out Our Staff.
- You dive with incredible marine life. Think goliath grouper during their aggregation. Or lemon and bull sharks as they migrate. And turtles during nesting season.
- You become part of the Pura Vida Divers family! From the moment you walk in the door until long after your course ends, you get ongoing support. Read about Our Story.
You have options to suit your schedule when you do your Divemaster Course in Florida. Check out the differences between our Divemaster Course, and Divemaster Internship. Learn more about our different Career Packages too.
PADI Divemaster Course
Becoming a Divemaster allows you to live the dream! The ocean becomes your office when you work in the diving industry.
PADI Divemaster is the first pro level certification. Divemaster training prepares you to be a role model and leader for others. You also learn how to strengthen your skills as a diver.
Throughout the course, you learn how to:
- Assist with PADI classes.
- Guide dives with groups of divers.
- Teach and conduct a few PADI courses.
Along the way, you receive guidance and feedback from our team of Pro staff. These Dive Pros have years of knowledge and experience. They are here for you every step of the way as you discover and reach your goals.
You Learn
The PADI Divemaster Course has several parts. They include:
Before you begin, find out what it means to be a Divemaster. Learn by using the Course Manual or the Divemaster eLearning. Then, complete a knowledge review at the end of each section. Later, your instructor reviews what you learned during classroom and practical sessions.
Also, complete an Emergency Action Plan for a local dive site. Your instructor assigns the site during the course.
These include five water skills, a rescue scenario, and skill demonstrations. Your instructor details and reviews the requirements once your course begins.
- 400m Swim (no gear).
- 800m Swim with mask, snorkel, and fins.
- 15-minute Tread.
- 100m Inert Diver Tow.
- Equipment Exchange.
- Rescue Exercise.
- Divemaster Skills Circuit.
Perform the following practical skills during your course:
- Dive Site Setup & Management.
- Mapping Project.
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Dive Briefing.
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Search & Recovery Scenario.
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Deep Dive Scenario.
Participate in and lead portions of the following workshops:
- Scuba Review.
- Skin Diving/Snorkeling Supervision.
- Discover SCUBA Diving in Confined Water.
- Discover SCUBA Diving: Open Water Additional Dive.
- DLD: Discover Local Diving.
Assist with classes and lead certified divers during your Practical Applications. In the following situations, you fulfill the role of a Divemaster:
- Open Water Divers in Confined Water.
- Open Water Divers in Open Water.
- Continuing Education Students in Open Water.
- Certified Divers in Open Water.
Take a 2-part exam and pass each section with a score of at least 75%.
- Exam Part 1: Divemaster Standards and Procedures.
- Part 2: Dive Theory Exam.
Candidates can receive credit for Part 2 of the Exam if they complete Dive Theory Online.
DIVEMASTER INTERNSHIP
The Divemaster Internship is the best way to start your journey as a Dive Pro. This 4-week program enhances the PADI Divemaster certification. You get top notch training and real world experience. It also prepares you to excel in the Instructor Development Course (IDC).
Put your best fin forward. Enter the dive industry with a head start to launch your career.
Why sign up for the Divemaster Internship?
The Divemaster Internship goes beyond the Divemaster course. You receive hands on training and valuable real world experience.
Working as a Dive Pro is more than knowing how to breathe underwater. And the diving industry is a lot more than scuba diving.
Often, you are a teacher, gear expert, salesperson, coach, deckhand, and tour guide at the same time.
The Divemaster Internship prepares you to thrive in the dive industry.
YOU LEARN
In addition to Divemaster Course training, you get instruction in the following areas:
Scuba Instruction & Training
Apply knowledge from the Divemaster course to real world situations. Work with instructors who are excellent mentors.
Go beyond the Divemaster course requirements. Assist multiple courses and guided dives. Practice until you are confident. Leave with the following:
- Understanding of supervision in and out of the water.
- Ability to identify and solve common issues.
- Confidence in leadership as a Dive Pro.
- Valuable experience with real world scenarios.
- Relationships with Dive Pros and mentors.
Dive Crewing
Learn how to safely operate a dive vessel. Gain experience as a dive guide and deckhand. Go through workshops to become a great crew member. Acquire new skills and understand the following:
- Local dive site knowledge of wrecks and reefs.
- Guiding drift dives while carrying a float ball and reel.
- Safe operation of a dive vessel.
- Line handling and docking procedures.
- Basic boat knowledge and safety protocols.
- Ensuring a positive customer experience.
- Real life scenarios, problem solving, and risk management at sea.
Fill Station Operation
- Hands-on experience at one of Florida’s largest Fill Stations.
- Know a range of gas blends. Blends include air, banked Nitrox mixes, and technical mixes like trimix and deco gases.
- Learn how to identify scuba cylinder markings. For example, cylinder type, tank test dates, and the fill pressure rating.
- Practice procedures to safely fill a variety of cylinders.
- Understanding of compressor function and maintenance.
Dive Equipment & Sales
Part of a successful dive operation is having staff who know their stuff. Being able to explain gear to divers is very important.
As a Divemaster Intern, learn about equipment and sales techniques. Start out with an Intro to Dive Gear workshop. Then, put your knowledge to the test. Learn the following:
- Equipment basics.
- Function and features of gear.
- How to assist customers with common requests. For example, how to fit customers with masks.
- The inner workings of regulators and their materials.
- Different sales techniques.
Marketing for a Dive Shop
- Access marketing tools. These include email campaign platforms, social media, content scheduling apps, and more.
- Use professional social media features.
- Learn how to promote yourself. Build a brand as a Dive Pro. Use free resources like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and others.
- Become familiar with online booking software.
- Learn how an online presence is a vital tool.
- Explore the basics of website development, including SEO.
After the Divemaster Internship
You graduate from the Divemaster Internship with a key advantage. Real world experience and hands on practice are both vital assets. Equip yourself with everything you need. Start your career in the dive industry ahead of the game.
Pura Vida also looks to hire from the pool of our interns. So, take advantage of your training! Make a splash during your internship and earn the chance to work here.
BEFORE THE DIVEMASTER COURSE OR DIVEMASTER INTERNSHIP
To start the Divemaster Course, students must be or have:
- At least 18 years old.
- PADI Diving Medical form within the last 12 months. It must be signed by a doctor (MD or DO) stating fitness to dive.
- PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent).
- PADI EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within the last 24 months (or equivalent).
- At least 40 logged dives. Note: 60 dives are needed to be certified as a Divemaster. You must gain experience in Deep, Night, and Search & Recovery.
- Diving Accident Insurance (DAN is recommended).
CAREER PACKAGES
You can bundle your Divemaster Course into one of our Career Training Programs. These are great deals depending on your current diver rating and career goals.
The Divemaster Course is included in 2 of our Career Training Programs.
Check out the Fast Track Program and the Career Professional Program Level 1.
Read more about them on our Career Training Packages page.
Both of these programs are also eligible for Veterans Benefits through the GI BILL®.
