Working as a PADI Divemaster: 10 Attributes You Need to Have

Working as a PADI Divemaster is more than just knowledge, training, skills, and practice; it’s about having the right attributes to give every diver the best underwater experience, every time.

To excel in a PADI Divemaster role, you’ll need to be:

1. Fun. Aside from safety, being fun is one of the most important things you can bring to someone’s scuba experience. Diving should be enjoyable, not boot camp, so focus on making guests feel relaxed and happy — before, during, and after!
2. Patient. We were all newbies once, and skills that are easy for you may take a novice several tries to get right. If they’re struggling, don’t rush them; instead, break things down into smaller, more manageable steps.
3. Adaptable. Every diver is different. Some like visual aids, while others prefer a hands-on approach. They could have learning or physical impairments. They might favour formality, or not. Get to know your students and adopt a style that inspires them to succeed.
4. Selfless. Yes, you’re living the dream, but you’re also working, so your guests’ interests must come before yours — no sulking because they wanted to photograph nudibranchs instead of hanging out with whale sharks (or vice versa!).
5. Meticulous. Helping divers with paperwork, checking PADI Standards, fixing equipment, and spotting risks while underwater are just a few of many tasks which need excellent focus and observational skills. Safety is paramount, so there’s no room for cutting corners.
6. Hardworking. Days can be long, intense, and both physically and mentally demanding — with little time off in between. Every dive operation is a team effort, and everyone needs to play their part — from helping students, to filling tanks and manning the shop.
7. Respectful. You’ll be assisting PADI Instructors to teach courses, so you’ll need to be dutiful and follow their lead. If you’re itching to conduct the session yourself, then it could be time to book onto a PADI Instructor Development Course.
8. Calm. It’s not uncommon for students to be anxious, especially if they’re about to try something new. Your ability to stay calm — even when things aren’t going to plan — will help prevent routine nerves from turning into a panic.
9. Positive. If you didn’t see the manta, talk about the other things you saw instead. If a student struggled with a skill, remind them what they did well. Not every dive earns a gold star, but focusing on positives gives everyone a reason to want to come back and do it again.
10. Professional. Whether it’s being presentable and punctual for work, being polite to guests (even when they’re not extending the same courtesy to you), or being a role model above and below the surface, it’s essential to take pride in your title of PADI Professional.

If you’re ready to start working as a PADI Divemaster, head over to the PADI Pros’ Employment Board to see vacancies from around the world. Or, take the next step in your adventure with the PADI Instructor Development Course.

Thinking of scaping from routine and becoming a PADI PRO ?

So, you’re a PADI Rescue Diver.

Are you thinking about a diving career and getting more diving, responsibility and challenge?

The PADI Divemaster Internship route leads to all of these things.

What is this?

The PADI Divemaster course is one the most challenging and rewarding courses that you can take. It’s the first level on the PADI professional ladder and it is a tremendous achievement. It opens doors all around the world and gives you a worldwide possibility of traveling profession.

But, it’s not so easy! You are going to work your way up along with your instructor(s)

 What does it involve?

The PADI Divemaster internship route is one of two choices that you can make on the road to becoming a PADI Professional. They both lead to to same certification, but with one small (but very big) difference. PADI Divemaster interns work with real students and certified divers. The non-internship route mostly simulates students and certified divers.

And I can tell you ….. There is a huge difference! Nothing substitutes repetition on practice.

You, the intern, will get the chance to see real problems as they happen. You will see the way an instructor deals with problems first hand.  This is invaluable. Though not everyone’s preferred choice it was the route I took, so let me tell you why I loved it…You will become an integral part of your chosen dive center. You will become multiple instructor’s shadows. You will prepare enough equipment to drive the actions into your muscle memory. You will lift more weight than a gym addicted fruitcake and you will learn more dive theory than the books alone can provide; You will understand the entire operation of a successful dive center using hands-on experience.

How hard is it?

You will feel out of your depth at times. You will be in your element in others. By the end of your internship you will “bleed PADI” as the PADI family is now your family. It is your tie to the diving world, your bond to the diving professional community and your ticket to a successful diving career.

Like all PADI courses the Divemaster course has three elements.

• Independent Learning – Self Study
• Classroom sessions
• In-water Practical sessions & Assessments

A divemaster candidate must do a lot of self-study and home preparation to ensure they are ready to sit the final exams and practical assessments.

The jump in knowledge from a Rescue Diver to a DM candidate can be daunting. It may make you think that you’ll never understand it all. Don’t sweat. You just have to know how to take the steps to increase your knowledge slowly.Your instructors are going to help you. They are there to guide you. They will show you how to find the answers to all your questions.

The internship program usually takes longer than the simulated one. You will work with all members of staff and each instructor likely has their own way of doing things. Each will teach you something different on any given task until you, the Divemaster Candidate, have picked and chosen the way that works for YOU. 

You may be strong in some areas, but weak in others. The internship route will highlight, isolate and drive your weaknesses, turning them into strengths. You will be someone who every student looks up to. When you start to assist instructors on courses you will be introduced as “Our Divemaster Candidate” and everyone in the classroom will look at you in awe. They will feel privileged and curious when you join their group. They will ask you questions and you will give either enthusiastic answers or motivated tutorials, all under the watchful eye of your instructors.

Why would you choose this road to becoming a dive professional anyway?

Internships allow you to work with real students in real time. Their problems are real. On a simulated open water course you will work with professionals faking problems. They could be the best actors in the world, but you still  know they can clear a mask of water, no matter how much flapping about they do. Real students will get upset when they struggle with something. You are practicing how to help them achieve success and the real deal is the real deal.

By the end of your course you will be able to calm people down, help them learn, guide groups of divers, be prepared for any problems and manage an emergency. You will likely become another students mentor, and so the cycle of diving addiction continues…

If you haven’t already guessed. I’m a huge fan of the Divemaster Internship route. I chose that route myself, and I strongly believe that it made me the instructor I am today.

Go on, do it.

Have the confidence to say “bring it on” because you can do it. By the time your Divemaster application is sent to PADI Head Office you will be the fittest you’ve ever been and will have done the best dives you’ve ever done.

Contact us and we will be glad to orient you thru a successful dive career. 

Leo Saldunbides - PADI Platinum Course Director # 184808

www.leosaldunbidescd.com

+238 953-2154 - Whatsapp / Viber

gopro@leosaldunbidescd.com

Skype: saldunbides 

5 Things to do Before your Next PADI Scuba Course

5 Things to do Before your Next Scuba Course

Are you planning to take the next step and complete a new PADI certification? To help get the most out of your course, try these five tips on being refreshed, prepared and fit to dive.

 Choose the right course

It may sound simple, but pick a course that works with your current abilities (not just what you want to achieve in the future). So, if you’re looking to create amazing photos but struggle with holding your position underwater, Peak Performance Buoyancy could give you a solid foundation before moving onto Digital Underwater Photographer.

 Refresh

If it’s been a while since you were last underwater, why not sign up for PADI ReActivate, book a day’s diving, or even practice on land to brush up on the skills you’ll need to excel on your next course. For example, if you’re taking the plunge into Ice Diving you’ll want plenty of recent practice with a dry suit. Or, fine tune your compass skills for a head start on Search and Recovery Diver.

Get dive fit

Carrying heavy kit or climbing back onto a boat can feel daunting if you’re out of practice, but by adding a few simple fitness techniques to your daily regime you can make the physical demands a little easier. Stay mentally fit, too — yoga is often cited as a great way to relax before diving.

 Know your scuba gear

You’ll find it hard to concentrate on learning new skills if your equipment is badly fitted, doesn’t work, or if you’re not sure how to operate it. If you’re using your own gear, do make sure it’s tried and tested well in advance so you’ve got time to make any necessary adjustments.

Have a goal in mind

PADI courses are a fun way to develop your experience as a diver. But inevitably there may be challenges along the way, such as taking a little longer to master a new skill. Having an end goal in mind— and a reward — can keep you focused and give you an added sense of accomplishment at the end. How about a new torch after a Night Diver course, or a trip to a bucket list dive site to celebrate becoming a Deep Diver?

If you may have questions or need more information regarding a specific PADI Course, do not heitate to contact me, and i will be glad to guide you through your diving goals.

Greetings from Cape Verde 

Mobile / Whatsapp: +238 953-2154

Skype: saldunbides

e-mail: gopro@leosaldunbidescd.com