Erica Magdalein

Here is the latest update on my Scuba Diving Instructor training. I am now working on my Divemaster certification. This Saturday I am going to be doing the water skills and stamina portion of the test. This requires:

1. Swim 400 meters/yards without stopping using no swimming aids and using any stroke or combination of strokes desired.
2. Using no aids and wearing only a swimsuit, the candidate will stay afloat by treading water, drown proofing, bobbing or floating for 15 minutes, with hands (not arms) out of the water during the last 2 minutes.
3. Using a mask, fins, snorkel and swimsuit only (no BCD or flotation aids) and swimming with the face in the water, the candidate must swim nonstop for 800 meters / yards.
4. Wearing full scuba equipment, the candidate must push or tow an inert diver in full scuba at the surface 100 meters/yards nonstop without assistance.

All 4 skills are timed and you are awarded higher points for the faster you finish each swim. I don’t think I will have a problem with it since I used to be on the swim team and have been taught the proper stroke techniques.

Here is a list of the other requirements.

Dive Master Course prerequisites:

• Be a certified PADI Rescue Diver or have an equivalent rating. (If equivalent candidate must submit proof of CPR and first aid training within the past 24 months.)
• Have completed and logged at least 20 dives as documented by the individual’s personal logbook. Note: at least 60 dives are required to complete the program.
• Be at least 18 years old at the start of training.
• Submit medical clearance for diving signed by a physician, attesting to fitness to dive.

Course Requirements

Experience:

The candidate must have completed and logged at least 60 dives as documented by the individual’s personal logbook. These dives must include experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation. We stipulate the minimum of 60 dives but the internship approach will ensure approximately 100 dives for the student.

Knowledge Development:

• Candidates must read the PADI Dive-master Manual and complete all the Knowledge Reviews
• There are eight exams:
  • Physics.
  • Physiology and First Aid.
  • Equipment.
  • Decompression Theory and the RDP (Recreation Dive Planner)
  • Dive Skills and the Environment.
  • Supervising Activities for Certified Divers.
  • Supervising Student Divers in Training.
  • PADI Divemaster Conducted Programs.

• Each dive master candidate must complete an Emergency Assistance Plan. This is essentially an emergency plan for evacuation and assistance in the unlikely event of a diving accident.

• Rescue Assessment:

  Candidates must perform a simulated rescue of an unresponsive, non-breathing diver. The exercise is pass/fail, but the candidate’s performance must be of demonstration quality. Being a divemaster in training you’ll be assisting with many rescue diver courses ensuring that your skills are sharp and honed.

• Required Training Exercises:

• Mapping Project.
• Dive Skill circuit.
• Equipment Exchange. (Exchanging full equipment whilst buddy breathing at about 5 meters in depth - character building)
• Divemaster Conducted Program.