SDI Divemaster

Course prerequisites:

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• 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: CPR, first aid, and oxygen provider courses may be combined with the IDC Program by qualified instructors

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What you can expect to learn:

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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

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What’s in it for you?

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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

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SDI Divemaster Diver minimum requirements:

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• 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