Divemaster First PADI professional level
Prerequisite: Rescue Diver + 40 dives
Leadership, dive management, teaching assistance
Professional training
Coaching, equipment, PADI certification
The Divemaster is the first professional level in the PADI system. This is where you go from passionate recreational diver to diving professional. You will learn to lead dives, assist instructors, and guide certified divers , with responsibility and confidence.
This course is much more than just another certification: it is a total immersion into the profession. Over two to four weeks, you live and breathe diving. Advanced theory, aquatic skill development, site mapping, group management , every day brings you closer to your professional goal.
With Lau, the Divemaster is learned in the field. You participate in real courses, assist during Open Water and Advanced classes, and lead guided dives under supervision. It is learning by doing, not by reading.
At the end of the course, you are a PADI professional recognized worldwide. You can work at any dive center, guide divers, and even start thinking about the next step: Assistant Instructor or PADI Instructor.
Week-by-week program
Theory deep dive & water fitness
- • Intensive study of the divemaster role, dive physics, physiology, and decompression theory
- • Water fitness assessments: 400m swim, 15-minute tread/float, 800m snorkel swim
- • First skills workshops , you start demonstrating Open Water skills at instructor-quality level
- • PADI theory exams to solidify your knowledge foundation
Rescue assessment & skills mastery
- • Full rescue skills assessment , proving you can lead when it matters most
- • 24-skill dive workshop: every Open Water skill performed at demonstration quality, the standard future students will learn from
- • Equipment exchange exercise at depth , gear awareness pushed to a new level
- • You begin to see the water through a professional's eyes, not just a diver's
Leading dives & site management
- • Leading groups of certified divers under Lau's supervision , briefings, dive management, debriefings
- • Dive site mapping, hazard assessment, and emergency action plan creation
- • Managing real-world logistics: gear, groups, conditions, and contingencies
- • The week where theory meets responsibility and it all starts clicking together
Real-world practice & certification
- • Assisting Lau during actual Open Water and Advanced courses with real students
- • Conducting your own Discover Scuba Diving program , you lead someone's very first breath underwater
- • Final practical evaluations and leadership assessment dives
- • Debrief and PADI Divemaster certification , you are now a dive professional, recognized worldwide
This program is a typical example. The schedule and pace are adapted to each student, weather conditions and the dive site. Lau always adjusts the plan to make sure you get the best possible experience.
What you get
Our destinations
Tenerife
Spain
Year-round ideal conditions for an intensive internship
Malaga
Spain
Diverse sites and Mediterranean marine life
Greece
Greece
Varied sites and idyllic setting for immersive training
Belgium
Belgium
Intensive internships possible in Belgian quarries
Frequently asked questions
How many dives do I need before starting?
PADI requires a minimum of 40 logged dives to begin the course. You need 60 to be certified. If you are close, we can include additional dives during the training.
How long does the course take?
Plan for 2 to 4 weeks depending on your pace and experience. The program is flexible , Lau adapts the duration to your progress. Most candidates finish in about 3 weeks.
Can I work as a Divemaster afterwards?
Yes! The PADI Divemaster is a professional-level certification recognized worldwide. You can lead certified dives, assist instructors, and work at dive centers anywhere on the planet.
Do I need to be very fit?
Good physical fitness is required. You will need to pass endurance tests (400m swim, 800m snorkel, 15-minute float). Nothing extreme, but you need to be comfortable in the water and in good health.
Is the e-learning included?
The PADI Divemaster e-learning is paid separately directly to PADI. It should be completed before or during the first week of training. Everything else , coaching, equipment, dives , is included.
Prerequisites
PADI Rescue Diver certification (or equivalent). Minimum 40 logged dives (60 for certification). Current EFR certification (within 24 months). Minimum age 18 years. Medical certificate less than 12 months old.