What is SSI Dive Master?
- Dive Master is the first professional level in SSI.
- It qualifies you to guide certified divers in open water, assist SSI Instructors with courses, and work in dive centers or resorts worldwide.
- SSI actually splits the role into two stages:
- Dive Guide (DG) → leading and guiding certified divers.
- Divemaster (DM) → when you combine Dive Guide + Science of Diving (theory).
👉 Once you complete both, SSI awards the Divemaster certification.
Prerequisites
Before you can enroll:
- Age: Minimum 18 years.
- Diver Certification: Must be certified as an SSI Stress & Rescue Diver (or equivalent).
- Logged Dives: At least 40 dives to start training; 60 dives to certify.
- First Aid / CPR: React Right (or equivalent) within the past 24 months.
- Medical Statement: Fit for diving, signed by a physician within the last year.
What You Learn
The Dive Master program develops both practical leadership skills and in-depth dive theory.
1. Dive Guide Component (practical skills):
- Guiding certified divers in open water.
- Group management, briefings, dive planning & logistics.
- Handling emergencies, missing diver, diver stress, etc.
- Working with a dive center (real scenarios, internships).
2. Science of Diving Component (theory):
- Physics of diving.
- Physiology of diving.
- Decompression theory & dive planning.
- Underwater environment & equipment technology.
Together, these form the Divemaster certification.
Structure & Duration
- Academics: Digital training modules + classroom/theory sessions.
- Confined Water: Skill demonstrations & leadership exercises.
- Open Water: Guiding dives, conducting real-life scenarios with certified divers.
- Internship or Practical Evaluation: Often you’ll “shadow” or work alongside instructors in a real dive shop.
- Time: Can be done intensively in 2–4 weeks, or spread out over a season if combined with work experience.
What You Can Do as SSI Divemaster
- Guide certified divers on fun dives (shore, boat, drift, night, etc.).
- Conduct Scuba Skills Updates and Try Scuba (pool) programs.
- Work in dive shops, resorts, and liveaboards worldwide.
- Act as an assistant to SSI Instructors in classes.
- Step into the Instructor Training Course (ITC) → next level toward becoming an Open Water Instructor.
Why It’s Worth It
- First professional recognition in diving.
- Creates global employment opportunities.
- Deepens your own dive knowledge and safety awareness.
- Builds leadership, confidence, and teaching assistance skills.
