So, you joined the over 30 million PADI certified divers and you love it! Now you are wondering how to become a PADI Divemaster and take your diving, pro. Well, we have the answers for you. Starting your journey to become a dive professional is a big undertaking, but the experience is fun, and one you will never forget. Imagine spending each day under the water exploring new locations and working with world class instructors that become mentors in your journey. Now that you know you are ready to step into the dream of becoming a professional diver, you want to know more about the ins and outs of the process— Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here we will have a look at the aspects of the Divemaster course, reasons you might want to be trained as a Divemaster, and what the course entails. We will also cover the costs and the length of the course and throw in a few expert tips on top!
What is a PADI Divemaster?
Before going into detail as to what the requirements are to become a PADI Divemaster, let’s clarify a few things about what this certification is.
The PADI Divemaster certification is the first level of professional training. The Divemaster course (sometimes referred to as a Divemaster internship) is made up of theory, refining your practical skills, and real diving experience. It allows you to guide certified divers on dives, and also entitles you to run some programs on your own such as the Skin Diver course or the Reactivate program.
The main difference with the PADI Instructor rating is that, as a PADI Divemaster, you cannot teach people the core courses such as PADI Open Water Diver or PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. In order to be able to teach those, you will need to complete the PADI IDC and become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.
Why should I consider becoming a Divemaster?
There are a few reasons to decide to complete your Divemaster training.
One would be if you are considering working in diving part-time or full-time, as this is the first professional diving certification you will need to complete. This is also a good way to get an insight on what working in the dive industry is like, as a lot of the PADI Divemaster Internship programs last a few weeks and will give you a good understanding of how a dive shop runs and what duties are expected of a PADI Divemaster.
Another reason you might want to get certified as a PADI Divemaster is simply to improve your diving. You will review a lot of the skills learnt in previous courses, log a lot of dives and generally work on improving your skills as a diver. The course will also give you a broader understanding of the theory of diving, as well as improve your confidence, and safety as a diver. More dives equals more practice, and more confidence!
Finally, we all know that diving can be quite expensive and this is a good way to get a lot of diving done over a few weeks for a good price!
How Long is a PADI Divemaster Course?
The duration of the PADI Divemaster course at Crystal Divers can vary based on your schedule and current diving proficiency. Typically, the course can be completed in about four to eight weeks (sometimes longer). This time frame allows for extensive training and sufficient time to meet all performance requirements, including dive theory and practical application. Divemaster courses are typically flexible, but each course and dive center is different. If you’re in a time crunch there are places where you can get registered in a shorter amount of time, while others allow you to hang out and enjoy the DM life for as long as you like (within reason of course). You need to do a bit of shopping around to figure out what center will best fit your needs.
How Much Does a PADI Divemaster Course Cost?
At Crystal Divers, we strive to keep our training affordable while providing top-notch educational resources. The cost of the Divemaster course varies depending on the specific internship package you choose. While PADI fees are not included in the course price, our packages are comprehensive and designed to cover all necessary learning materials and dives. For specific pricing details, please contact us directly so we can provide you with the most accurate and current information. Maybe there might be a deal or two you can grab! For quick access you can also have a look at our Divemaster course page, which we update regularly. Keep in mind, if you’re shopping around many dive centers you will go to you will be looking at two different fees, the cost of the course and then the PADI fees for that course which change yearly.
How to become a PADI Divemaster
Now that you’re convinced this is the right move, here’s what’s involved and what to consider. First, you will want to ensure you meet all the requirements:
- Be 18 years old at the start of Divemaster training
- Have logged 20 dives (This is because we are a CDC center allowing you to start your DM course with less dives than other dive centers).
- Have completed EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within the last 24 months
- Be medically evaluated and cleared for diving by a physician within the last 12 months
- Be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and PADI Rescue Diver or have equivalent rating through another organization.
Once you know you have met the requirements above, you will want to consider the experience of the dive center’s team you are working with. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with them. Make sure you like them! Another important piece to consider is location. Considering where you want to explore the most, and what interests you (as far as underwater critters go) is key! At a typical dive center you can expect to log 20 or more dives to complete your DM course. At Crystal Divers, that number can be anywhere from 40 to as high as 80 dives, depending on your length of stay and the dive center’s schedule. Figuring out where you want to dive and how many dives are included in your course is key. Make sure you consider these things when choosing the right place for you.
After knowing you meet the requirements, have found your perfect dive center, sorted your finances and time commitments, all that’s left is to get ready for an experience of a lifetime! If you like our blogs and think, “Hey, Crystal Divers sound pretty cool”. You’re right, we are. Contact us today and we can tell you all about our specific DM course offerings, and if they are the right fit for you!
