Dive Leader Levels
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
From Rescue, you qualify to train as a professional level dive Leader. The progression is from Rescue to DiveMaster, to Assistant Instructor, to Instructor.
Does life stop at the Instructor level? Nope.
There are many levels of Instructor, so your accomplishments never have to come to an end.
Have a look through the leadership levels on this page to see where your challenge is, starting with SSI Dive Control Specialist.
PADI DIVE CONTROL SPECIALIST
If you think other folks' DiveMaster courses are something, take a look at this!
The PADI Dive Control Specialist (DiveCon) course will certify you as both a DiveMaster and as an Assistant Instructor.
PADI DiveCon is PADI's initial dive leadership level, and you can do more than any other entry-level dive leader. Why? 'Cause other agencies don't combine these two Leader ratings.
- You'll study advanced physics, physiology and decompression theory
- You'll practice advanced rescue techniques
- You'll learn the basics of teaching
- You'll intern with actual SSI programs
- You'll work as an Instructional Assistant
- You'll train as a dive supervisor for water diving activities
- You'll fine-tune your diving skills
- You'll gain practical experience as a dive coordinator and underwater guide
As an PADI Dive Control Specialist, you'll be qualified to do everything other DiveMasters do:
- Act as certified instructional assistant to Instructors.
- Supervise participants in the PADI experience programs for uncertified divers.
- Supervise both training and non-training related diving activities by planning, organizing and directing dives.
- Teach and certify PADI Snorkel Divers.
- Conduct the PADI Scuba Skills Update program for certified divers.
- Conduct the Skin Diving Skills segment of the PADI Open Water Diver course under the direction of an PADI Instructor.
- Work on dive boats, at resorts and retail stores.
- Lead dive trips and tours.
PLUS...
- Teach the academic and pool sessions under the direct supervision of an active PADI Instructor.
- Conduct the "Try-It" scuba experience
- Teach and Snorkeling programmes and certify the participants.
- Teach and certify participants of:
- the DAN O2 course
- the Navigation Specialty
- the Equipment Techniques Specialty
- the Underwater Photo Specialty
- the Underwater Video Specialty
- the Boat Diving Specialty
- the Underwater Sign Language Specialty
- the Marine/Fish Identification Specialty
- the Kayak Specialty
- the MX-10 Photo Specialty
- selected First Aid and CPR programmes
- Teach Scuba Rangers (after completing the Scuba Rangers Instructor training)
- Enroll in the PADI Instructor Training Course (ITC).
In other words, you'll become the cream of the crop!
Upon successfully completing the PADI Dive Control Specialist programme, you'll receive a certification card and wall certificate denoting the rating. You'll also become a professional member of PADI and receive benefits, including the ability to purchase professional liability insurance (required to conduct some activities).
What's the PreReq?
- Be an PADI Stress & Rescue diver (or equivalent).
- Be certified in 5 Specialties with Happy Divers.
- Certification in First Aid and AR/CPR.
- Show proof of 50 logged dives.
- HDD Course Cost? $850.00 (with a $300 deposit for student materials).
PADI DIVEMASTER
The PADI DiveMaster program is the first rung on the leadership ladder in the PADI System of diver education. This rating denotes you as a person who:
- Has a high level of personal diving skill.
- Has instructor level knowledge of diving theory.
- Has had significant training in how to assist an instructor during training activities.
- Is able to assume appropriate responsibilities that benefit the welfare of other divers.
- Upon successfully completing the PADI DiveMaster program, you'll receive a certification card and wall certificate denoting this rating. You'll also become a professional member of PADI and receive benefits, including the ability to purchase professional liability insurance (which may be required to conduct some activities).