WHAT DIVE MASTERS DO,
DIVE MASTER DUTIES
Active status Divemasters are authorized to:
1. Supervise both training and nontraining-related activities by
planning, organizing and directing dives.
2. Assist an instructor during confined and open water training.
3. Independently guide Open Water Diver course students
on the tour portion of Open Water Dives 2, 3 and 4 at a
2:1 ratio.
4. Accompany Open
Water Diver students under the
instructor’s indirect supervision during surface swims to and
from the entry/exit point and during navigational exercises;
as well as supervise remaining students when the instructor
conducts a skill.
5. Accompany student divers during Adventure Dives or
specialty course dives under the instructor’s indirect
supervision.
6. Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers independently. This also
includes conducting the PADI Seal Team AquaMission: Skin
Diver Specialist.
7. Conduct the Discover Snorkeling program.
8. Conduct subsequent dives under an instructor’s indirect
supervision for Discover Scuba Diving participants at a 2:1
ratio, after participants have satisfactorily completed the first
dive with an instructor.
9. Conduct the Discover Local Diving experience.
10. Conduct the Scuba Review program for certified divers, or
for PADI Scuba Divers who are refreshing their skills.
11. Conduct the skin diving skills segment of the Open Water
Diver course during either Confined Water Dive 2, 3, 4 or 5.
12. Accompany certified Scuba Divers on subsequent dives.Who is a PADI Divemaster? The dive community expects several characteristics of an individual with the PADI Divemaster rating. These include:
• Exemplary diving skills. The PADI Divemaster’s skills can be used as demonstrations for student divers.
• Rescue skill. The PADI Divemaster can prevent and manage accidents, and role model rescue skills
for student divers in training.
• Professional-level knowledge of dive theory. Depth of theoretical knowledge goes hand-in-hand with expertise and professionalism. This is the
foundation for problem solving and creativity in the divemaster’s duties, and for subsequent
growth as a PADI Assistant Instructor.
• Competence as a certified assistant. PADI Divemasters know how to support instruction by handling logistical, supervisory and limited
educational duties under an instructor’s supervision.
• Dive management and supervision abilities. PADI Divemasters accept appropriate, limited responsibility for certified divers within the context
of leading or managing diving activities. This requires good people skills and good judgment
along with a strong working knowledge of dive environments and activities. The PADI
Divemaster assists the dive operation with risk management.
• Ethical role model behavior. PADI Divemasters are expected to display common honesty and courtesy, and follow accepted,
responsible dive practices. Their behavior reflects well on them, the dive operation for which they
work, and the PADI organization.
• Enthusiasm and fun. People learn to dive for the excitement, adventure, and challenge – or broadly, for fun. They look
to PADI Divemasters to assist them in having fun within their interests and skill levels. Divers
expect PADI Divemasters to be pleasant and sociable individuals to interact with. The PADI
Divemaster assists with the dive community’s diver retention efforts. PADI Divemaster Duties
The following lists the duties and benefits of PADI Divemasters as they apply to PADI courses and PADI
Standards. Certified and new/renewed PADI Divemasters are authorized to:
1. Independently guide Open Water Diver/Scuba Diver students on the tour portion of Open Water
Diver course Training Dives 2 through 4, at a ratio of two student divers per certified divemaster.
2. Accompany Open Water Diver/ Scuba Diver students under the indirect supervision of a PADI
Instructor:
a. during surface swims to and from the entry/exit point. during the navigational exercises during Dive 4. with the group, either on the surface or underwater, while the instructor conducts a skill,
such as an ascent, with an individual student diver or buddy team.
3. Conduct any subsequent dives for Discover Scuba Diving participants, at a ratio of 2:1, if insured,
after the participants have satisfactorily completed the first dive under the supervision of a PADI
Instructor.
4. Conduct the PADI Discover Local Diving experience, (provided the Divemaster meets insurance
requirements). 2
5. Conduct the PADI Discover Snorkeling program, (provided the divemaster meets insurance
requirements).
6. Conduct the PADI Scuba Review program for certified Open Water Divers or divers with higher
certifications (provided the Divemaster meets insurance requirements).
7. Accompany student divers during training dives for the PADI Adventures in Diving program,
Specialty Diver courses, or the Rescue Diver course.
8. Generally supervise both training and non-training related activities by assisting divers and
student divers in the planning, organizing and direction of dives.
9. Assist a Teaching status PADI Instructor in the open water training of divers. The allowable
student diver-to-instructor ratio increases by four additional student divers for each certified,
renewed PADI Divemaster for all PADI programs and courses, unless stated otherwise by that
course/ program’s standards. For the PADI Open Water Diver/Scuba Diver course, the allowable
student diver-to-instructor ratio increases by two additional student divers for each certified,
renewed PADI Divemaster, to a maximum of 12 student divers to one instructor.
10. Assist a Teaching status PADI Instructor in the confined water training of divers. Use of certified,
renewed PADI Divemasters increases the allowable student diver-to-instructor ratio in confined
water by four additional student divers per divemaster for all courses, unless stated otherwise by
that course/program’s standards.
11. Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers independently (provided the divemaster meets insurance
requirements). This includes conducting the PADI Seal Team AquaMission: Skin Diver Specialist
following Skin Diver course standards.
12. Conduct the skin diving skills segment of the Open Water Diver course Confined Water Dive Four
(provided the divemaster meets insurance requirements). Benefits and Renewal Requirements of PADI Divemaster Certification.
