LIFEWATERS DIVEMASTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The LifeWaters Divemaster Course is the first professional level certification. During the course you will learn how to work with divers, lead certified divers, and act as a dive guide showing divers underwater dive sites and the marine life that inhabits those dives sites. You will increase your knowledge about physics and physiology as well as increase your proficiency with your scuba and snorkeling skills.

Who this course is for:

• The advanced diver interested in working in the dive industry as a professional dive guide or moving on to become an instructor

Course prerequisites:

• Minimum age 18
• Certified LW Advanced Adventure Diver or equivalent; advanced certification must include verifiable experience in deep, navigation, night, and limited visibility specialties
• Certified LW Rescue Diver or equivalent
• Provide proof of current CPR, first aid and oxygen provider (where local law permits)*
• Provided proof of at least 40 logged dives (see 3.11 for number of dives/hours required for graduation)

* Note: CPR, first aid, and oxygen provider courses may be combined with the IDC Program by qualified instructors
What you can expect to learn:
The LW Divemaster Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• LW standards and procedures
• History of LW
• Code of ethics and professionalism of an LW Divemaster
• Products and procedures
  • How to place an order
  • Yearly renewals
• Liability and insurance
  • Risk management
  • Waivers and releases
  • Filling out an accident report
• Knowledge Development
  • Equipment
  • Physics and physiology of diving
  • Medical problems related to diving
  • Use of dive computers and tables
  • Diving environment
  • Dive planning and dive management control
  • Problem solving
  • Underwater and surface communications
  • Diver assistance
  • Avoiding out of air and emergency situations
  • Recommended safe diving practices
  • Boat diving procedures
  • Shore/beach diving procedures
  • Night diving procedures
  • Accident management
  • Emergency procedures
• Leadership development
  • Planning group dives
  • Divemaster check lists and logs

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• 800 meter swim with mask, snorkel, and fins non-stop without the use of arms in less than 17 minutes
• 400 meter swim on the surface, non-stop, any stroke, without the use of swimming aids, in less than 10 minutes; swim goggles permitted
• Scuba skills – minimum equipment: all equipment required for a LW Dive Leader
  • In water, transport another diver in full scuba equipment at a quick pace for 4 minutes
  • Demonstrate a complete rescue scenario satisfactorily
  • Perform underwater skills with and without a mask
  • Swim on the surface, in full scuba equipment, using the snorkel, 100 meters
• Bring a diver, simulating unconsciousness, up from depth, not greater than 6 meters/20 feet; at the surface swim them 100 meters in less than 4 minutes
• Confined water skills:
  • Preparation and planning
  • Briefing and debriefing
  • Group control
  • Problem recognition and solving
  • Diving equipment assembly and disassembly
  • Equipment inspection
  • Entries/exits
  • Proper weighting and buoyancy control
  • Snorkel and regulator clearing
  • Regulator recovery
  • Controlled descents and ascents
  • Underwater swimming
  • Mask clearing
  • Buddy system techniques
  • Weight system removal and replacement
  • Out-of-air emergency alternatives
  • Equipment care and maintenance

What’s in it for you?
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may:

• Assist an active LW Instructor during approved diving courses provided the activities are similar to the graduate’s prior training
• Supervise and conduct dives for certified divers, provided the activities are similar to the graduate’s prior experience and training

LW Divemaster Diver minimum requirements:

• Satisfactorily complete the LW Divemaster written examination, or online version with a minimum score of 80 percent and 100 percent remediation
• Complete all water requirements
• Demonstrate to an active LW Instructor the ability to solve in-water and out-of-water diver problems
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
• Operate as a Divemaster in a wide variety of environments