SSI Divemaster Course

As an active SSI Divemaster you can:

• Guide certified divers on recreational scuba dives
• Teach, supervise and issue recognition cards for the SSI Snorkeling program
• Act as a certified assistant for all SSI recreational courses
• Assist during open water training dives by taking no more than two (2) students at a time on excursion dives
• Qualify as a Training Specialist for the SSI Ecology Specialty programs
  • SSI Coral Identification Specialty
  • SSI Fish Identification Specialty
  • SSI Marine Ecology / Naturalist Specialty
  • SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty
  • SSI Shark Ecology Specialty

• Minimum age: 15 years old (Must be 18 years old to work as an active status Professional Dive Guide)
• Diver Stress and Rescue certification or equivalent
• 40 logged open water dives or more to start the course and at least 60 logged open water dives to complete the course
• Have the following specialty programs, or experience in each of the following areas: Navigation, Night/Limited Visibility and Deep Diving
• RSTC Medical Statement signed by a physician within one (1) year
• Proof of CPR / First Aid & Oxygen First Aid training within two (2) years

*If you don’t meet all the prerequisites we are more than happy to help you get there. Contact us to talk about putting together a personalised package.

We know that everyone’s needs, schedule and budget are different. This is why we offer a 4, 6 or 8 week Divemaster Program.

During the program you will work through each phase of skill development and practically apply these skills in real life situations with real students and certified divers (while directly under the supervision of your Instructor at all times). There is no substitute to hands on , real life experience to prepare you for a successful career as a dive professional. 

4 Weeks – 1199 US
SSI Divemaster Course + Enriched Air Nitrox 40 % Specialty  

6 Weeks – 1499 US
SSI Divemaster Course + Enriched Air Nitrox 40% + Deep Diving + Navigation Specialty  

8 Weeks – 1699 US
SSI Divemaster Course + Enriched Air Nitrox 40% + Deep Diving +  Navigation Specialty

We include the Enriched Air Nitrox 40%/Deep and/or Navigation Specialties as they are the most useful/required specialties for a Dive Pro – if you already have these specialties we are able to adjust the packages to suit you. Feel free to contact us to discuss a personalised package, we are more than happy to tailor the course to get you where you want to be.  

SSI DIVEMASTER PROGRAM OUTLINE

The SSI Divemaster Course consists of 6 phases of skill development:

• Academic Training
• Confined Water Training
• Open Water Training
• Confined Water Evaluations
• Open Water Evaluations
• Academic Evaluations

Science of Diving

• Diving Physics
• Diving Physiology
• Decompression Theory
• The Components of the Total Diving System & Accessory
• Equipment
• The Aquatic Environment
  Practical Application

Dive Guide Theory

• What is a dive guide
• Preparing for the dive
• Conducting the dive
• Dive emergencies
• Your career with SSI

Water Fitness Evaluation

• Tread water for 15 minutes
• Swim 700 meters, mask, snorkel and fins
• Swim 300 meters without stopping
• Swim underwater for 25 meters using a mask, fIns and snorkel
• Perform a full, unconscious-diver-on-the-surface rescue with a total distance of 100 meters within eight (8) minutes

Snorkeling Skills Workshop

• Demonstrate all of the skills of the SSI Snorkeling program with professional-level quality

Open Water Diver Workshop

• Perform all of the skills listed of the SSI Open Water Diver program at an expert diver level

Diver Stress & Rescue Skills Workshop

• Assisting a Struggling or Panicked Diver (Surface and Underwater)
• Bringing an Unconscious Diver to the Surface
• Unconscious Diver on the Surface
• Transporting an Unconscious Diver
• Removing an Unconscious Diver from the water
• Missing Diver Search

Dive Briefing Evaluation

• Plan and organize a dive briefing based on a given dive scenario
• Conduct a dive briefing using the SSI Dive Briefing slate

Dive Guiding Evaluation

• Supervise and maintain control of a group of diver before, during, and after a dive
• Recognize and provide the appropriate corrective actions for all problems that occur during a dive

Deep and Night Diving Workshop

• Evaluate a deep and night diving scenario and provide recommendations for dive planning, specialty equipment, and dive parameters
• Create a safe and appropriate dive plan, based on the given scenario

SPECIALTY COURSES

Enriched Air Nitrox 40 % Specialty

• Academic Training
• Practical Application Session

Deep Diving Specialty (Included in 6 & 8 week Divemaster Programs)

• Academic Training
• Open Water Training

Navigation Specialty (Included in the 6 & 8 week Divemaster Programs)

• Academic Training
• Open Water Training

CERTIFICATIONS

• SSI Divemaster Certification
  • SSI Dive Guide Specialty
  • SSI Science of Diving Specialty
• SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty
• SSI Deep Diving Specialty (6 & 8 Week Programs)
• SSI Navigation Specialty (6 & 8 Week Programs)

PROGRAM INCLUSIONS

• Dive Pro Package
  • Mask Strap
  • SSI Dive Pro Binder
  • Professional Log Booklet
  • Buddy Team and Dive Briefing Slate
•  All Digital Academic Material
  • Science of Diving
  • Dive Guide
  • Enriched Air Nitrox 40%
  • Deep Diving (6 & 8 Week Programs)
  • Navigation (6 & 8 Week Programs)
• Certification Fees
• Academic Sessions
• Pool Sessions
• Open Water Training
• Tanks and weights
• All logistical costs
• Water & Fruit on Dive Trips
• Equipment Rental if Required
• Unlimited Dives – Local Reefs*
• Unlimited Tutoring/Assistance
• Use of Wifi and Dive Center Facility at all times

*During the program you will be able to join every local reef dive trip and pool session that we are running space permitting. The difference with our program is that you will not just be “joining” the dive/pool session and hanging at the back – you are not coming to “fun” dive (although we hope you will have fun on every dive) – you want to train to be a dive PRO! You will be the LEADER, this will give you many opportunities to practice and fine tune your Divemaster skills, always under the supervision of your Instructor. We guarantee that you will and your training with us as a competent Divemaster ready for success in the industry –  We believe in Quality Training.

SSI Professional Registration Fee
Upon completion of the Program you will need to pay a 70 US fee to SSI. This fee includes your SSI Divemaster Annual Fee for the current year as well as gives you access to;

• • Digital SSI Certification Cards
  • Digital Logbook for Scuba, Extended Range & Freediving
  • Specialized Access to Dive Professional Materials – DiveSSI App
  • 24/7 Download of all Pro Materials in all Languages with option to print
  • Access to all Future Training Material Updates Online and in the DiveSSI App

Accomodation
We do not include accommodation in our course price because we know that everyone has different tastes, styles and budgets. Playa del Carmen has a wide variety of options from hostels, airbnb to luxury all inclusive hotels.

We do however work with a local hostel that is close to the shop with good facilities, depending the season the price is around 300US per month per person for a shared dorm with breakfast.

We also work with Hotel Casa Tucan which is a boutique hotel just around the corner, where standard rooms for 2 people (depending on the season) are about 1000 US per month.

If you would like more information about either of these options and/or help setting it up we are more than happy to help. Also if you would like  advice/recommendations on choosing somewhere else that suits your needs just let us know.

Meals
At the Dive Center you have free access to Filtered Water, Tea & Coffee Facilities, as well as a microwave and fridge. Water and Fruit are also supplied on all local Dive Trips. However meals are not included in the program, this allows you to be able to choose meals that you want to eat. Playa has options for all – Vegetarian, Pizza Lover, Meat Eater – it’s all here (and we know where).

There are plenty of economical  options close by the Dive Center for grabbing some lunch Tortas (big mexican sandwiches), Tacos and Salads – you can expect to eat and be full for around 3 to 6 US. The local kitchen just next door serves a traditional lunch with soup + main meal + juice for just 60MX / 3.5 US and they will even bring to to the Dive Center! (We eat here a lot!)

There are several large supermarkets with just about anything you want on offer close by, so if you are staying in a hostel or somewhere with a kitchen you can also prepare your own food.

If you be kind to us we may even share our secret list of favorite cheap places for an awesome dinner. 😉

• Diver Stress and Rescue certification or equivalent
• Proof of logged dives
• RSTC Medical Statement signed by a physician within one (1) year
• Proof of CPR /  First Aid / Oxygen First Aid training within two (2) years
• Tablet or Laptop for Academic Study
• Lots of positive energy ready to dive, study and train hard 🙂

DIVE EQUIPMENT

As a Dive Professional ideally you should have your own Total Diving System. We can help out with missing items, at a minimum you should have your own:

• Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Dive Computer, Wetsuit, Buoy & Reel

We offer great discounts on dive equipment for our Professional Level Candidates and are more than happy to advise you on dive equipment purchases before your arrival.

Cozumel + Cenote Dive Excursions
During your time with us you are welcome to join our Cozumel and Cenote Excursions covering only the costs whenever we have an extra spot available

Equipment Discounts
We offer excellent packages and discounts on equipment for our Professional Level Candidates

Continuing Education
Discounts on all Specialty / Extended Range and Instructor Training Courses and that you take with us in the future