PADI Divemaster

What's Covered in the PADI Divemaster Course?

PADI Divemaster — Where Your Dive Career Begins

The Divemaster is your first professional rating — the step from passionate diver to working dive pro. Lead dives, mentor students, and open the door to a career underwater.

1 · The Rating — From Diver to Dive Professional

Becoming a PADI Divemaster means expanding your knowledge and honing your skills to a professional level. You'll build dive-management expertise, sharpen your rescue ability, and earn the qualification that lets you work in the dive industry — guiding certified divers and supporting instructors on every kind of course.

2 · What You Can Do — The Pro You'll Become

Guide certified divers — lead and supervise certified divers on tours and outings, on the boat and from shore.
Assist instructors — work alongside instructors during courses and checkout dives, where real teaching experience starts.
Lead your own programs — independently conduct DM-led programs like scuba refreshers, skin diver courses, and guided experiences.
Manage & respond — master dive planning, logistics, and emergency management to keep every dive safe and smooth.

3 · How It Runs — A Three-Month Program, Built in Phases

The Divemaster runs over about three months, on weekends, so you can train while you work. You'll move through three phases — and along the way you'll assist on real checkout dives at Blue Water Park and our local springs, meeting your requirements on actual courses.

Phase 1 · Knowledge — dive theory, physics, physiology, equipment, and the role of the professional divemaster.
Phase 2 · Watermanship & Skills — stamina, rescue, and demonstration-quality skills in the pool and open water.
Phase 3 · Real-World Application — assisting on live courses and checkout dives: leading, supervising, and managing real divers.

4 · Your Mentors — Learn from a Professional Team

Your Divemaster training is guided by our experienced professional staff under the direction of a PADI Gold Course Director — the same standard that runs through every course at 20,000 Leagues. You'll be mentored by pros who genuinely want to build the next generation of dive leaders.

5 · Before You Enroll — What You'll Need to Start

Certifications: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver (or qualifying equivalents).
Experience: at least 40 logged dives to begin, and 60 to certify.
Emergency training: first aid and CPR (primary and secondary care) within the last 24 months.
Medical: a physician-signed medical clearance within the last 12 months. Minimum age 18.

Not there yet? We'll help you build up through Advanced and Rescue — just ask.