Being a Divemaster
What does it mean and what do they do?
Being a PADI Divemaster means a number of things:
- You have exemplary diving skills and are able to demonstrate skills to students.
- You can prevent and manage accidents and role model rescue skills for student divers in training.
- You have a professional level knowledge of dive theory
- You are competent as a certified assistant and are able to support instructors when teaching students.
- You are a role model and are expected to display honesty, courtesy and follow responsible diving practices.
- You dispay enthusiasm and fun for your chosen profession
About Divemasters on Roatan
Divemasters on Roatan are a very professional group of people. Training on the island is as good, if not better, than anywhere else in the world. Due to the volume of divers visiting the island and the number of dive centers, the role of a typicaly divemaster here can be extremely varied on a day to day basis.
For example, one day you may find yourself leading a group of certified divers on dive trips. This will involve monitoring your divers on a continuous basis, both on the surface and underwater. You may be expected to manage issues such as bouyancy control, equipment malfunctions, nervous divers, newly qualified divers etc. The following day you may be asked to play the role of the victim on a PADI Rescue Diver course. Of course you will be expected to assist with setting up equipment, ensuring students and certified divers fill in paperwork correctly, fill tanks and rinse gear.
Being around customers all day means that you have to act in a professional manner at all times, even when you just want to scream and shout. Dive centers in West End have spent years building their reputation for excellence and it only takes one unhappy customer to damage that reputation. You will need to show enthusiasm for diving at all times and ensure that your customers leave the island with great memories so that they go home and tell all their friends about the fantastic experience they had diving with your outfit.
