SDI DIVEMASTER COURSE

The SDI Divemaster Course is the first professional level certification. During the course you will learn how to work with divers, lead certified divers, and act as a dive guide showing divers underwater dive sites and the marine life that inhabits those dives sites. You will increase your knowledge about physics and physiology as well as increase your proficiency with your scuba and snorkeling skills.

Who this course is for:

The advanced diver interested in working in the dive industry as a professional dive guide or moving on to become an instructor

Course prerequisites

Minimum age 18
Certified SDI Advanced Adventure Diver or equivalent; advanced certification must include verifiable experience in deep, navigation, night, and limited visibility specialties
Certified SDI Rescue Diver or equivalent
Provide proof of current CPR, first aid and oxygen provider(where local law permits)*
Provided proof of at least 40 logged dives (see 3.11 for number of dives/hours required for graduation)

*Note: SDI CPROX, CPR1st or CPROX1stAED courses may be combined with the SDI Divemaster program by qualified instructors

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Divemaster Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

SDI standards and procedures
History of SDI
Code of ethics and professionalism of an SDI Divemaster
Products and procedures
How to place an order
Yearly renewals
Liability and insurance
Risk management
Waivers and releases
Filling out an accident report
Knowledge Development
Equipment
Physics and physiology of diving
Medical problems related to diving
Use of dive computers and tables
Diving environment
Dive planning and dive management control
Problem solving
Underwater and surface communications
Diver assistance
Avoiding out of air and emergency situations
Recommended safe diving practices
Boat diving procedures
Shore/beach diving procedures
Night diving procedures
Accident management
Emergency procedures
Leadership development
Planning group dives
Divemaster check lists and logs

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

800 metre swim with mask, snorkel, and fins non-stop without the use of arms in less than 17 minutes
400 metre swim on the surface, non-stop, any stroke, without the use of swimming aids, in less than 10 minutes; swim goggles permitted
Scuba skills – minimum equipment: all equipment required for a SDI Dive Leader
In water, transport another diver in full scuba equipment at a quick pace for 4 minutes
Demonstrate a complete rescue scenario satisfactorily
Perform underwater skills with and without a mask
Swim on the surface, in full scuba equipment, using the snorkel, 100 metres
Bring a diver, simulating unconsciousness, up from depth, not greater than 6 metres/20 feet; at the surface swim them 100 metres in less than 4 minutes
Confined water skills:
Preparation and planning
Briefing and debriefing
Group control
Problem recognition and solving
Diving equipment assembly and disassembly
Equipment inspection
Entries/exits
Proper weighting and buoyancy control
Snorkel and regulator clearing
Regulator recovery
Controlled descents and ascents
Underwater swimming
Mask clearing
Buddy system techniques
Weight system removal and replacement
Out-of-air emergency alternatives
Equipment care and maintenance

What’s in it for you:

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may:

Assist an active SDI Instructor during approved diving courses provided the activities are similar to the graduate’s prior training
Supervise and conduct dives for certified divers, provided the activities are similar to the graduate’s prior experience and training

SDI Divemaster Diver minimum requirements:

Satisfactorily complete the SDI Divemaster written examination, or online version with a minimum score of 80 percent and 100 percent remediation
Complete all water requirements
Demonstrate to an active SDI Instructor the ability to solve in-water and out-of-water diver problems
Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
Operate as a Divemaster in a wide variety of environments