The first step in changing your career and becoming a Scuba diving professional is to train as a Divemaster.
The Divemaster is a vital component to any amazing diving adventure. From managing diver logistics, identifying the best dive sites for those divers on that day, to pointing out where all the best creatures are during a dive, this dive professional role is one of the most versatile.
Once you have trained at Go Pro BDC to become a PADI Divemaster, you will be certified to lead dives, mentor others and be part of the amazing life transformations that divers go through – just like you did.
Whether you want to work in some tropical location, like Bocas Del Toro, or closer to home with a local dive shop, the first step to your new adventure begins by booking your Divemaster course with us.We run Divemaster programs all year around, so you can decide when to start!
To book your course, email us at gopro@bocasdivecenter.com.
What do I need to get started?
To start your Divemaster trainee course you must be at least 18 years old and have 40 logged dives. You will already be certified either as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and PADI Rescue Diver or the equivalent level from another dive organization. You must have completed EFR Primary and Secondary Care training (or similar) within 24 months.
If you haven’t quite got there yet, we can help you achieve these PADI standard requirements before you start your course.
What will the course be like?
Similar to other PADI courses, you will complete knowledge development sections; these can be done online through the PADI e-learning hub or from the Divemaster manual. You will also create an Emergency Action Plan, much like in your Rescue course (if you have undertaken that course with us we will be able to use the same plan), and also a final exam.
In the water, you will meet course performance requirements by completing water skill exercises and practical skills, a diver rescue assessment, dive skills and Divemaster-conducted programs workshops and assessments.
By the end of your course you will have logged at least 60 dives, however, most of our candidates celebrate their 100th dive with us, including night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation. Most Divemaster trainees leave with a number of specialties, demonstrating their skill in a variety of diving scenarios.
You will have a single mentor instructor to give you advice on becoming the best dive professional that you can be. From dive site setup to planning student curriculum, you will shadow and learn from our dive instructors to see how different styles can be adopted and learn how to think like a dive professional from day.
What course options are available?
The internships enable every candidate to learn at the rate that suits them. Some choose to undertake the course part-time whilst still working, others work with us at the dive center in order to get a fuller understanding of what it is like to work in the dive industry, while they reduce the expenses of the course. Candidates perform different functions at BDC including, helping to set up and dismantle the boat, preparing and cleaning equipment, generating audio-visual content, reception, checking documentation, general maintenance of the center, helping in the marketing department and in the ecological projects, and much more…
The length of the coursedepends on your requirements; some spend a month, others longer. We can tailor the training to meet your needs.
Choose one of these packages:
DIVEMASTER BRONZE:
> PADI Divemaster eLearning & crewpack
> Divemaster course (Certification Fees not included)
> Free professional counseling after training
> Bocas Dive Center T-shirt
DIVEMASTER SILVER:
> PADI Divemaster eLearning & crewpack
> Divemaster course (Certification Fees not included)
> Free professional counseling after training
> 1 Specialty course and fees
> Bocas Dive Center T-shirt
DIVEMASTER MASTERDIVER GOLD:
> PADI Divemaster eLearning & crewpack
> Divemaster course (Certification Fees not included)
> Free professional counseling after training
> 5 Speciality courses and fees
Deep Diver
Nitrox
Search & Recovery
Night Diver
Underwater Navigator
>Master Scuba Diver certification (Certification fees not included)
> Bocas Dive Center T-shirt
For prices, please email gopro@bocasdivecenter.com
What equipment will i need?
PADI standards state that by the time you work as a dive professional you should have all standard dive equipment, plus a timing device (or computer), a compass, a knife/diver’s tool, two surface signaling devices (one audible and one visible).
Students benefit from a discounted rate when purchasing diving accessories at our in-house store.
Who will be my instructor?
At Bocas Dive Center we have a great team of international instructors. Their experience from diving around the world ensures that you are learning from the best. You will learn from either Leandro Mora, Staff Instructor or Kelly Paterson, Master Instructor.
Why choose Bocas Dive Center?
Bocas Dive Center is the only PADI 5* IDC center in Bocas Del Toro. Our facilities are the best on the island – the newest equipment, specially-designed spacious boats, air conditioned classrooms, and all year round dive sites.
This top of the line, quality dive shop is within the same building as our state-of-the-art boutique hotel to cater to divers so that they could be steps from their equipment, the dive school, and the sun loungers and swings over the warm Caribbean waters.
At BDC Go Pro we ensure that our students have plenty of time to practice their skills. All our professional dive staff have been where you are and are happy to offer advice, coaching or even just to be a mock student to help you gain more confidence.