SDI Divemaster Program

Divemaster is where you stop being a diver and start being a dive leader. It is the first professional rating in SDI recreational diving and the credential that qualifies you to guide certified divers underwater, lead dive groups, and work alongside SDI Instructors in the water during courses.

The path to Divemaster is not a shortcut. You need Rescue Diver, Advanced Adventure with experience in three specific specialties, current CPR and first aid, at least 40 logged dives, and a minimum age of 18. The program itself covers professional standards and ethics, in-depth knowledge development across all aspects of diving, leadership and group management skills, and physical and rescue skills that are significantly more demanding than anything in the recreational certification path.

If you have been diving long enough to know this is what you want, call us at (480) 881-4013 and we will walk through the program with you.

Prerequisites

All five prerequisites must be met before enrollment.

• Minimum age 18
• SDI Advanced Adventure Diver certification or equivalent; the advanced certification must include verifiable experience in deep, navigation, night, and limited visibility specialties
• SDI Rescue Diver certification or equivalent
• Current CPR, first aid, and oxygen provider certification (these three may be combined with the Divemaster program by qualified instructors -- ask us about availability)
• Proof of at least 40 logged dives at the time of enrollment

What the Program Covers

SDI Standards, Professional Ethics, and Liability

Divemaster training starts with what it means to work as a dive professional. The program covers SDI standards and procedures, the history and structure of the organization, the code of ethics specific to SDI Divemasters, liability and insurance considerations, risk management, waiver and release documentation, and accident reporting. Understanding the professional and legal framework you are operating in is foundational to everything else in the program.

Knowledge Development

The knowledge development component covers the full range of diving theory at a professional level, deeper and more applied than recreational certification. Topics include equipment, physics and physiology of diving, medical problems related to diving, dive computer and table use, diving environment assessment, dive planning and management, problem solving, underwater and surface communications, diver assistance, out-of-air prevention and management, and procedures for boat, shore, beach, and night diving environments. Accident management and emergency procedures are also covered at depth.

Leadership and Group Management

Leading a group of certified divers underwater is a different skill set than being a capable diver yourself. The program covers how to plan and brief group dives, how to manage a dive group in the water, how to recognize and respond to problems before they escalate, and how to debrief a dive effectively. Divemaster checklists and log documentation are also part of this section.

Physical and Rescue Skills

The physical requirements for Divemaster are the most demanding in the recreational certification system. You need to be fit, and the skills need to be solid before you test them under pressure. Required physical skills include:

• 800-metre swim with mask, snorkel, and fins, non-stop, without the use of arms, in under 17 minutes
• 400-metre surface swim, non-stop, any stroke, without swimming aids (swim goggles permitted)
• In-water transport of another diver in full scuba equipment at a quick pace for 4 minutes
• Complete rescue scenario demonstration
• Underwater skills performed with and without a mask
• 100-metre surface swim in full scuba equipment using a snorkel
• Rescue ascent of an unconscious diver from 20 feet (6 metres), followed by a 100-metre tow at the surface -- completed in under 4 minutes

Confined water skills include group briefing and debriefing, group control, problem recognition and solving, equipment assembly and inspection, entry and exit techniques, weighting and buoyancy control, regulator and snorkel skills, mask clearing, buddy system techniques, and out-of-air emergency alternatives.

What You Can Do as a Divemaster

After completing the SDI Divemaster program, you are qualified to:

• Supervise and lead dives for certified recreational divers in conditions similar to your training and experience
• Assist an active SDI Instructor during approved diving courses, provided the activities are consistent with your prior training

Divemaster is also the prerequisite for entering the SDI Instructor Development Course (IDC), which is the path to becoming a certified dive instructor.

GI Bill and ESA/ClassWallet Funding

The SDI Divemaster program may be eligible for GI Bill funding for qualifying veterans. ESA/ClassWallet funding may also be available for eligible candidates. Visit the GI Bill and ESA pages on divearizona.com for details, or call us at (480) 881-4013 and we will walk you through the options.

Gear and Equipment

The Divemaster program requires students to own all of their own equipment. No rental gear is provided for this program. You must own and bring all of the following:

• BCD
• Regulator
• Dive computer
• Mask, fins, boots, and snorkel
• Exposure suit appropriate for the conditions at the time of training
• Surface marker buoy (SMB)
• Reel
• Whistle or audible signaling device
• Cutting device (knife or shears)

If you need to purchase any of this equipment before the program begins, we carry a full selection in the shop and can help you put together a complete kit. Call us at (480) 881-4013 or stop by and we will go through everything you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Divemaster do?

An SDI Divemaster can lead and supervise dives for certified recreational divers in conditions similar to their training and experience, and can assist an active SDI Instructor during approved diving courses. Divemasters work as dive guides on charter boats, at dive resorts, and at dive shops -- leading groups, briefing dives, managing in-water situations, and supporting instructors during certification programs.

What are the prerequisites for the SDI Divemaster program?

Minimum age 18. SDI Advanced Adventure Diver certification or equivalent, with verifiable experience in deep, navigation, night, and limited visibility specialties. SDI Rescue Diver certification or equivalent. Current CPR, first aid, and oxygen provider certification. Proof of at least 40 logged dives at the time of enrollment.

How long does the Divemaster program take?

The SDI Divemaster program timeline varies based on scheduling and individual progress. Call us at (480) 881-4013 to discuss the current program structure, typical timeframe, and what your schedule would look like. 

What can a Divemaster do that a regular diver cannot?

A Divemaster can lead dives for other certified divers professionally, work as a dive guide, and assist SDI Instructors in the water during courses. Recreational divers, regardless of experience, are not authorized to lead or guide paying customers or assist during certification training.

Is Divemaster a step toward becoming an instructor?

Yes. The SDI Divemaster certification is the prerequisite for enrolling in the SDI Instructor Development Course (IDC), which is the path to becoming a certified SDI dive instructor.

Can GI Bill benefits be used for the Divemaster program?

The SDI Divemaster program may be eligible for GI Bill funding for qualifying veterans. Click here for details, or call us at (480) 881-4013 and we will help you work through the eligibility requirements.

Ready to Make the Leap?

If you meet the prerequisites and are serious about pursuing Divemaster, call us at (480) 881-4013 and we will walk through the program in detail. We are open Monday through Saturday 11am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm, at 18618 S 186th Way, Queen Creek, inside The Shooting Range.

For more information and to see course standards, click here!