SSI Divemaster
And so the Adventure and Your Professional Journey Begins
Becoming an SSI Divemaster is more than just earning a certification—it’s about developing your leadership skills, expanding your CV, and opening doors to adventures across the world. Whether you want to work locally, travel, or simply refine your diving abilities, this is the first step in your professional diving journey.
What Can an SSI Divemaster Do?
As a certified SSI Divemaster, you can:
- Work at dive centres, on liveaboards, yachts, or at resorts worldwide
- Assist SSI Instructors with students in training
- Guide certified divers on fun dives and local diving experiences
- Lead Snorkelling experiences
- Assist with dive operations and logistics
Why Choose Dive Rutland for Your SSI Divemaster Course?
At Dive Rutland, we offer a structured, hands-on programme with real-world experience and personalised mentorship. Our training focuses on mastering dive leadership skills, developing confidence, and working in a UK diving environment.
UK Trained Divemasters are sought after so yes its not warm and sunny all of the time, but training standards are high - particularly here at Dive Rutland!
Course Structure
Core Training for All Routes:
1 Day of Academics – covering dive leadership, dive management, general dive readiness and as we are a UK dive centre all of the legals to working in the UK
2 Pool Sessions (4 Hours min) – covering:
- Watermanship skills: 15-min tread water, 375m swim, 25m underwater
- Full unconscious diver rescue
- Stress and rescue skills review
3 Pool Sessions for Skills Circuit - Which is generally laid out as follows:
- 1 session for skill demonstrations.
- 1 practice session.
- 1 final session for scoring.
We recommend practising the skills at your own leisure, outside of the planned sessions.
3 Open Water Sessions:
-
Guided dives. Dives you will plan, brief, deliver and debrief including a Deep and Night Dive (minimum of five dives)
Real World Experience
If you want we offer an over and above everything already detailed above, you will work alongside existing Dive Rutland professionals with real students in pool and open water undertaking the Certified Assistant Role supporting real world students and our Dive Team whilst working. During this time you will complete the following:-
Learn about site management / setup and undertake the important Surface Support Role.
Work with Confined Water Students / Open Water Students / Continued Education Students in Open Water using a watch, do, 'signoff' process where you will work with our Dive professionals in a real world setting, gaining valuable insights to being a professional.
Specialities
To be able to lead a dive you need to hold the speciality or be able to demonstrate at least five logged dives in that speciality.
Deep Diving, Navigation, Science of Diving, and Night Diving. are those required for the Divemaster certification, however to work in the UK you also need a Drysuit Speciality if diving in a drysuit and we would also advise the Enriched Air Speciality so you can use Nitrox on the Deep Speciality - Talk to us about our Speciality packages
Course
- Ideal for those on a tight schedule or planning to travel soon or just wants to gain additional skills but not planning on working as a Divemaster.
Course with Real World experience (Structured Hands-On Experience) - optional
- Gain real-world experience working with Dive Rutland students.
- Additional training in handling real dive scenarios as a certified assistant.
- Must hold an HSE medical (we can assist with this process).
- Work alongside Dive Rutland’s experienced professionals.
- Learn compressor operation, equipment maintenance, and dive centre management.
What Do I Need to Start?
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Certifications: Stress and Rescue (or equivalent).
- Medical Clearance: HSE Diving Doctor sign-off (mandatory for intern route).
- Minimum 40 Logged Dives (sufficient experience required for supervision). / 60 Logged Dives to complete and be signed off on the course.
- Specialities: Deep Diving, Navigation, Science of Diving, Stress and Rescue and Night Diving
Equipment:
- Full set of standard scuba gear (Mask, Snorkel, BCD/Wing, Regulator Set, Computer, Drysuit, etc.).
- Dive accessories (Knife, Compass, DSMB, Torch, Slate & Pencil).
We offer equipment packages for those looking to build their kit or equipment can be hired during your course.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
- All elearning materials
- Refreshments - Tea, Coffee, Chocolate when at the Dive Centre
- Access to Dive Rutlands very own Instructor Trainer and the great professional team.
- Great mentoring and ongoing support - our courses are structured.
- Intern - no dogsbody treatment - you will be considered part of the team
- Cylinders and air
ANY OTHER COSTS?
- Personal travel and accomodation Costs
- Entrance fees to training site
- Hire of any equipment you do not have
WHATS NEXT AFTER SSI DIVEMASTER?
On becoming a divemaster you can go travel the world and work. Professionally the next step is to become an SSI Assistant Instructor or join an Instructor Training Course and on completion of the Instructor Exam become an Instructor. Then Travel the World, having the best job in the world with no 9 - 5 stuck in an office (well there is still paperwork but with the SSI system you can process wherever)
Being a Divemaster can be used towards you becoming a Stunt person and registering on the British Stunt Register
READY TO START YOUR PROFESSIONAL DIVE JOURNEY?
Get in touch to discuss your preferred training schedule! We offer flexible training dates, including weekday and weekend options. If choosing the intern route, be prepared for an Enhanced CRB check, facilitated by us.
With 70% of the Earth covered in water, the opportunities are endless—where will your Divemaster journey take you?
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- Want to Join the British Stunt Register how the Divemaster course helps with one of your requirements to be a Stunt Person and joining the British Stunt Register
Students who want to become divers must first complete the mandatory course documentation. Known medical conditions are required to be declared and notified to your Instructor prior to any in-water activity. A doctor's confirmation of fitness to dive if answer you to any medical condition on the Medical Statement. You can check out here:
Diving Medical Statement
