So You Want to Be a Divemaster!

So You Want to Be a Divemaster!

By Reggie Clark, PADI Master Instructor

In the past I encountered divers, as well as non-divers, telling me they want to be a divemaster. There just seems to be something intriguing about that job that causes people to imagine themselves doing it. But when pressed for a concrete reason as to why, I usually get answers that have verylittle to do with the actual job. So let me first explain what a divemaster is not about. It is not about getting to do a lot of diving or about getting adiscount on equipment. It is not about getting to tell people what to do or leading dive trips to fun destinations. It most certainly is not about landing a good paying job on an island and diving all day.

So what is it about? It is about you loving to work with people and having good people skills. It is about liking to teach and help others. Most importantly, it is about you building up the confidence in others while humbling yourself. So, do you get it? It is nothing about you—it is all about others. If these are inherent traits within your personality already, then you might just have the right stuff to not only be a divemaster but to be an exceptional divemaster. Too many divemasters are mediocre, so if you would truly like to be one, be the best you can be.If you are seriously thinking about doing this, my advice to you isnotto enter into this profession halfheartedly. It is no longer about having fun—it is serious business. There are personal liability ramifications as a dive professional that I suspect you have never considered and can only imagine now that I have mentioned it.

As I was writing this article, while sitting at my computer, I became a little curious regarding what motivates someone to become a divemaster nowadays, so I decided to consult the Internet. I entered the question: “why do people become a divemaster” into the Bing search engine. The number one hit was at the following URL: I then entered the same question into the Google search engine. The number one hit was at

The difference between the two articles is like the difference between night and day. The first article came from a third party called wiseGEEK and, although its design is just to provide some good information, it is full of misinformation and some that is just plain bad. The second article came directly from the horse's mouth—PADI.Although it is obviously designed to market their divemaster program, there is nothing about it that is inaccurate. My message to you is be careful when searching the Internet on this subject as there is a lot of inaccurate stuff out there.

I became a divemaster in 1979 and many of the reasons I cited earlier regarding what a divemaster is not about were, in fact, my reasons for becoming one, especially the one about landing a good paying job on an island and diving all day. I did not do the research I should have done, so I submit to you that if you want to discover what it is like to be a divemaster, talk with a divemaster. Every instructor has been a divemaster, so talk with an instructor. And don't be satisfied talking with just one instructor or divemaster, talk with many and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.

Discover for yourself, before you take the leap—the good, the bad, and the ugly about being a divemaster. Through your investigation you will discover for yourself if it is right for you. You might also discover some things about yourself that you didn't already know. Go into it with your eyes open knowing that you are leaving a world of scuba which, in the past, has been all about you and you are now entering into a world of scuba that has nothing to do with you.

To move from the recreational world of scuba into the professional world of scuba requires a change in mindset. You must be ready, willing and able to do some things far beyond what you have done thus far. You must be ready to open your wallet because you are going to spend some money on training in the Rescue, EFR and Divemaster programs. You must be willing to give of your time, a lot of time, to your own learning process, to your mentoring process and to your local dive shop. You must be able to physically and mentally endure the rigors of the divemaster training, which in my humble opinion, will be the toughest scuba training you will ever undergo outside of the military.

If after reading this you believe this is something you would like to pursue, thencontact me and I will attempt to put you in touch with the best dive shop in your area.Understand there are many professionals who are more than willing to help you along the way, provided you are willing to do your part as well. Remember what I said earlier that if you do this, you shouldnotto enter into it halfheartedly. You will find this is an endeavor which requires your full commitment.

So, if through your investigation you have discover for yourself this is right for you and you have decided to begin, let me be the first to welcome you on your journey and share with you some positives of your decision. Once you have completed your PADI Divemaster program, you will have access to the Pro side of the PADI website and immediately tools and resources will open up to you, including an Employment/Classifieds section. Want to buy a dive boat, dive resort or dive center? You will find it here. Want to find a job? Today there are 235 job openings around the world for professionals with a divemaster or higher rating at locationsfrom Key Largo Florida to Fiji for temporary to permanent positions. Your life will be enriched as you help others discover the adventure of scuba, your skills will become teaching quality and your confidence will soar. And oh yes, you will receive equipment discounts and you will begin earning income fordoing something you love. So welcome to the Tribe!