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Courses in Tasmania

SDI Divemaster

Course code: SDI-00

Progress from experienced recreational diver to credible, safety-focused dive professional.
The SDI Divemaster course is the first professional level in the SDI leadership pathway. It develops the knowledge, demonstration-quality personal skills, rescue readiness, supervision ability, and professional judgment required to lead certified divers, manage recreational dive activities, assist active SDI Instructors within the graduate’s prior training, and plan emergency procedures appropriate to the environment. Training covers dive planning, site assessment, briefs and debriefs, group control, equipment inspection, shore and boat operations, mapping, problem prevention, accident management, professional conduct, and leadership in real confined-water and open-water activities.

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Standards verification note: Standards verification note: This section has been checked against the current SDI Standards and Procedures, Part 4, Section 3 — Divemaster, and the official SDI Divemaster course page. Graduates may assist an active SDI Instructor during approved courses, supervise certified divers and specialised activities within their prior training, and plan and execute suitable emergency procedures. Maximum ratios are 8 candidates per instructor in confined water and 8 in open water, with reduction at the instructor’s discretion. Entry requires age 18, SDI Advanced Adventure Diver or equivalent with verifiable deep, navigation, night, and limited-visibility experience, SDI Rescue Diver or equivalent, current first aid, CPR, and oxygen-provider credentials where permitted, a physician-signed medical, and at least 40 logged dives. The program requires at least 40 hours, including 30 hours under direct instructor supervision, five briefs and debriefs, four guided dives across varying sites and conditions, and ten open-water training dives of at least 20 minutes each. Graduation requires 60 logged dives, or 50 logged dives plus 25 accumulated underwater hours, including broad environmental experience, an 80 percent examination result with 100 percent remediation, completed leadership documentation, demonstration-quality skills, and mature judgment.

Quick Course Overview

• Professional scope

Lead and supervise certified divers, conduct trained specialised activities, assist active SDI Instructors during approved courses, and plan appropriate emergency procedures.

• Minimum duration

40 hours, including at least 30 hours under direct supervision of an active SDI Instructor.

• Required leadership experience

At least five briefs and debriefs, four guided dives across varying sites and conditions, and ten open-water training dives of at least 20 minutes each.

• Core focus

Dive leadership, planning, site management, group control, demonstration-quality skills, rescue readiness, risk management, emergency planning, mapping, and professional conduct.

• Maximum ratios

8 candidates per instructor in confined water and 8 in open water, with reduction at the instructor’s discretion.

• Progression

Professional foundation for SDI Assistant Instructor, Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor, and TDI Technical Divemaster pathways.

Training Options

Standard small-group training

Scheduled once the two-candidate minimum is reached. Final size, schedule, sites, and activities remain subject to SDI ratios, conditions, logistics, and instructor discretion. Premium one-on-one training Private delivery provides focused leadership coaching, flexible scheduling, detailed performance feedback, and targeted remediation.

Standard Cost*

$4,999 AUD

Preferred month

Note* *Standard training requires a minimum of 2 (TWO) participants. Date options will be provided once the course is filled.

Private 1 on 1 Cost

$6,999 AUD

Preferred month

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Prerequisites

• Minimum age 18.

• SDI Advanced Adventure Diver or equivalent, including verifiable deep, navigation, night, and limited-visibility experience.

• SDI Rescue Diver or equivalent.

• Current First Response Adult and Child Emergency Care Provider and Oxygen Administration Provider, where local law permits, or equivalent.

• Physician-signed medical statement for leadership training.

• Proof of at least 40 logged dives before starting.

Course Format

Required materials

Current SDI Divemaster Manual or eLearning, Divemaster Slates, and required leadership forms and references.

Knowledge development

SDI standards, ethics, professionalism, risk management, physics, physiology, equipment, dive computers and tables, environment, planning, management, communication, problem prevention, accident management, and emergency procedures.

Leadership development

At least five complete briefs and debriefs, preparation and control of diving activities, four guided dives across varying sites and conditions, and supervised professional administration.

In-water training

Confined-water and open-water demonstration-quality skills, rescue scenarios, group control, surface-marker deployment, site mapping, and ten open-water dives of at least 20 minutes each.

Duration

Minimum 40 hours, with at least 30 hours under direct SDI Instructor supervision.

Assessment

Written or online examination with at least 80 percent and 100 percent remediation, watermanship, rescue, skill, leadership, logbook, judgment, and documentation evaluation.

What You Will Learn

Plan, brief, control, guide, and debrief recreational dives within your qualifications, environmental limits, and SDI professional scope.

Assess sites, divers, equipment, conditions, entries, exits, surface support, and foreseeable risks before committing a group to the water.

Demonstrate core scuba and snorkelling skills clearly, neutrally buoyant where required, while maintaining professional control and awareness.

Recognise developing problems, assist divers, manage separation and low-gas situations, execute rescue procedures, and activate an emergency action plan.

Produce a useful dive-site map and manage shore, boat, night, limited-visibility, and other trained recreational activities professionally.

Assist active SDI Instructors appropriately without exceeding your rating, training, or assigned role.

Final Evaluation

60 logged dives, or 50 logged dives plus at least 25 hours of accumulated underwater time.

At least 30 dives demonstrating varied environmental factors and experience appropriate to professional leadership.

Completion of all watermanship, rescue, confined-water, open-water, briefing, guiding, site-mapping, and leadership requirements safely and efficiently.

Minimum 80 percent examination result with 100 percent remediation, mature judgment, complete logs and paperwork, and successful SDI registration

What's Included

Professional leadership instruction | Standards, ethics, risk management, planning, supervision, group control, emergency readiness, and professional-conduct development.
Academic and supervised development | Minimum 40-hour program with at least 30 hours under direct SDI Instructor supervision.
Practical leadership experience | Required briefs, debriefs, guided dives, confined-water leadership, ten open-water training dives, site mapping, rescue readiness, and operational coaching.
Demonstration-quality refinement | Buoyancy, trim, equipment, entries, exits, ascents, descents, air-sharing, rescue, surface-marker, and core scuba skills developed to professional standard.
Assessment and mentoring | Exam review, remediation, logbook checks, leadership feedback, judgment evaluation, and professional-readiness guidance.
Core dive support | Use of tanks, air fills, weights, and specifically confirmed centre equipment where required and available.
Certification processing | Preparation and submission of required leadership paperwork after successful completion; separate professional or agency fees remain excluded unless confirmed.

What's Not Included

Personal leadership-level scuba and snorkelling equipment, including exposure protection, regulators, BCD, computer, alternate air source, compass, cutting device, DSMB and reel, slate, rescue signals, and accessories unless confirmed.
Advanced Adventure, Rescue Diver, first aid, CPR, oxygen-provider training, physician examination, or additional experience needed to meet entry or graduation requirements.
Professional membership, liability insurance, application, materials, certification, or agency processing fees unless specifically included in the booking confirmation.
Nitrox or other non-standard gases, additional cylinders, equipment hire, boat fees, site fees, permits, travel, accommodation, and meals unless confirmed.
Hard-copy materials where digital materials are supplied, replacement equipment, and anything not listed in the final booking confirmation.

Why Train With Us

Professional dive leadership developed through real operations, substantial experience, and honest performance standards—not simply minimum dives and paperwork. • Thousands of dives behind our mentoring | Our team brings extensive recreational and technical diving experience to planning, site choice, equipment, group control, risk decisions, and emergency readiness. • Real operational leadership | Develop experience managing actual divers, equipment, briefs, shore and boat logistics, contingencies, and changing conditions—not only simulated scenarios. • Professional standards with honest feedback | We assess preparation, communication, awareness, judgment, rescue readiness, demonstration quality, and leadership presence rather than treating attendance as sufficient. • Prepared for Tasmanian operations | Build discipline for cold water, variable visibility, current, thermal stress, shore access, boat operations, and real local dive-site demands. • Technical and recreational infrastructure | Access modern equipment, cylinders, gas services, configuration support, site knowledge, and progression pathways through our SDI/TDI 5-Star Dive Centre. • Leadership before the badge | We focus on producing credible professionals whom divers can trust, with a clear pathway toward Assistant Instructor, Open Water Instructor, and Technical Divemaster development.