The NAUI Divemaster rating is the highest NAUI leadership level certification with the exception of Instructor. The program is designed to train experienced and knowledgeable divers to organize and conduct enjoyable open water dives for certified divers and engage in other approved activities.
An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to organize and conduct dives for certified divers if the diving activities and locale approximate those in which the Divemaster is trained. Additional training, knowledge or experience is necessary for the Divemaster who desires to organize dives in a new locale.
An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to organize and conduct NAUI recognition programs (such as International Diver) and award appropriate recognition materials to participants. An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to organize and conduct Refresher Scuba training for certified divers. Additionally, NAUI Divemasters may teach the NAUI Try Scuba (confined water only), and the NAUI Skin Diver courses. An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to assist an active-status NAUI Instructor in diving courses.
An active-status NAUI Divemaster who completes all requirements as laid out by the NAUI Training Department, is eligible to teach the NAUI First Aid – Powered by DAN provider courses. An active-status NAUI Divemaster who possesses exceptional abilities, experience and completes all requirements as laid out by the NAUI Training Department, may teach the Underwater Archaeology, Underwater Digital Imaging, Underwater Hunter and Collector, and Underwater Naturalist courses. The active-status NAUI Divemaster MUST be approved, in advance, individually, by the NAUI Training Department to teach these courses.
If all other prerequisites are met, a current NAUI Divemaster is qualified to enter a NAUI Instructor Training Course (ITC).
Leadership members of NAUI are entitled to benefits detailed in the Association Bylaws and in these standards. A NAUI leader may renew membership annually in any one of several statuses by meeting renewal requirements.
Get Started
The NAUI Divemaster Course is for certified divers who are are passionate about diving and would like to organize and conduct enjoyable open water dives for certified divers and engage in other approved activities.
What’s Next?
Continue your training by enrolling in a NAUI Instructor course. If you completed the aforementioned courses you may enroll in NAUI Instructor Trainer course.
the knowledge needed to organize and conduct minimal-risk open water dives as a Divemaster.
the knowledge to conduct Refresher Scuba (with certified divers), Try Scuba (confined water only), and Skin Diver courses.
Practical, on-site demonstrations by the instructor or staff are to be presented wherever possible.
Diving Equipment. Common equipment problems, recognition of unsafe or improperly assembled equipment, variations in types of gear, incorrect wear and handling, and pre-dive equipment checks.
Diving Safety.
Actions to be taken if an emergency occurs, including effective use of assistants and equipment, underwater communications, diver recall methods, search techniques, assists and rescues, victim care and handling, emergency and first aid equipment, accessing emergency systems, and accident reports.
Techniques and problems associated with open water rescues. Areas to be covered include rough water rescue considerations, conducting search and recovery operations, care and handling of unconscious divers.
Diving Environment. The physical and biological aspects of the diving environment with emphasis on the local area, including plant and animal life, the importance of fostering a regard for ecology and conservation, pollution, water movement, and characteristics, tides, currents, waves and surf, shore and bottom conditions, surface hazards and wind effects.
NAUI Orientation.
Business of Diving Instruction. Legal concepts such as negligence, standard of care, the necessity for liability insurance, waivers and indemnity agreements, taking of artifacts and game, and the legal relationship between boat owner, captain, instructor, and Divemaster. NAUI-specific information shall be included. This will include equipment sales, and the importance of selling NAUI Continuing Education Courses.
Methods of Instruction (teaching techniques and student evaluation)
Teaching theory.
Oral communications.
Teaching Presentations: Classroom
Each candidate is to present at least four assigned teaching presentations selected from the list of the ten (10 , defined in glossary) core diving knowledge topics. Each presentation is to be formally evaluated and graded for record (one passing presentation is required).
Divemaster Duties.
GENERAL.
Techniques involved in planning, organizing and controlling a group dive. Included shall be: the analysis, selection and pre-dive evaluation of a dive site, pre-dive meetings and briefings, debriefing, Divemaster checklists and logs, use of safety divers, Divemaster responsibilities and dive flag use. Special procedures for working as a dive guide, leading trips and working with instructors on open water training dives are to be covered in detail.
SHORE DIVING.
Organizational problems of shore diving in salt and freshwater environments, including problems of entry and exit point selection, hazards, signals, flags, floats, surface support stations, environmental hazards, crowd control, boat traffic concerns and safety
BOAT DIVING.
Techniques involved in small and large boat diving, including required boat equipment and licensing, navigation and rules of the road, boating etiquette and safety, refueling, anchoring, docking, weather conditions and broadcasts, as well as charts, navigation aids and sources of information. The captain/Divemaster relationship, diver management from a boat-based operation, ladders, platforms and safety lines, boat diving etiquette, equipment stowage, safety procedures, and boat rescue techniques. Small boat diving (two to six divers) versus large boat diving operations are to be discussed.
NIGHT AND LIMITED VISIBILITY DIVING.
Procedures used and problems that can arise. Daytime reconnaissance of the night dive site is to be emphasized, as well as planning and safety procedures, lights (underwater, surface, shore, and boat), special equipment, typical and local hazards, buddy lines, rope signals, diver recalls, underwater communications, diving limits, lost diver problems, checklists, and problems associated with limited visibility diving both underwater and on the surface.
DEEP and SIMULATED DECOMPRESSION DIVING.
The problems a Divemaster must avoid or deal with in an emergency decompression situation. It is to be emphasized that the need for decompression diving should be avoided in recreational diving. Included are the planning, concepts, methods and equipment used in such diving. The student Divemaster is to have a thorough knowledge of decompression and repetitive dive tables, dive computers and to know the first aid, treatment and transportation techniques for emergencies involving decompression sickness and suspected lung overpressure injuries. Altitude considerations and restrictions on flying after diving are to be covered.
INSTRUCTION
Teaching Techniques, including class management, teaching theory and oral communication as it relates to Skin Diving, Try Scuba and approved specialties shall be included.
Divemastering. Students are to demonstrate satisfactory open water skills and perform in Divemaster roles for practice and evaluation during the planning and conducting of the required open water dives. All such activities are to be performed under the direct supervision of an active-status NAUI Instructor. The purpose is to evaluate the candidate in both knowledge and the ability to apply it in the performance of practical work. The evaluated activities also further the student Divemaster’s training in dive management.
Perform scuba diving skills as listed below during an open water dive. The staff is also to use this dive to demonstrate the organization and conduct of a day dive for certified divers. Skills are to include:
Pre-dive gear check for self and buddy.
Entry, buoyancy check, swim to and from dive area, and exit.
Distance swim -805m (880 yards) total during the dive.
Descents, underwater swimming, and ascents.
Make a simulated decompression stop at 4.6m (15 ft.) for five minutes.
Mask clearing, including removal and replacement.
Remove, replace and clear a regulator.
Regain primary regulator from behind the shoulder; replace and clear.
Maintain proper buoyancy using weights, breathing, and BC.
Complete a night dive as a diver. During this dive, the staff will demonstrate the organization and conduct of a night dive for certified divers. The dive is to be conducted in an area previously dived by the class during daylight.
Performing as a Divemaster using safety divers and assistants, control a satisfactory rescue of a diver simulating an underwater accident in open water, including organizing a search, transporting victim to shore or boat, victim care and accessing emergency systems.
Prepare and present at least one pre-dive briefing for practice and one for evaluation. The briefing is to be evaluated on depth of coverage as well as safety and control measures. Evaluators are to remember the student is not an instructor and may not possess polished instructional skills.
Performing as a Divemaster, assisting an active-status NAUI Instructor, organize, and assist during an early open water experience for a class of student divers. This may be accomplished by having the Divemaster class act as entry level student divers and individually rotating through the Divemaster role during a single dive.
Performing as a Divemaster, organize and conduct a beach dive for certified divers, to be evaluated for the record.
Performing as a Divemaster, organize and conduct a boat dive for certified divers, to be evaluated for the record. If a boat dive is not possible, an alternate beach dive in a significantly different setting from that of the previous dive is allowed.
Organize and conduct a night or limited visibility dive for certified divers, to be evaluated for the record. If night diving is not possible, a simulation should be utilized.
Perform as a Divemaster conducting a NAUI Try Scuba, NAUI Refresher and NAUI Skin Diver course
The student Divemasters may run multiple dives on the same day up to a maximum of three scuba dives and one skin dive. The greatest possible variety of diving situations should be used. Open water should follow pre-dive briefings as closely as possible. After each dive, the student Divemaster is to conduct a debriefing. All diving activities are to be logged.
Age. Minimum age of 18 years prior to enrollment and start of training.
Certification/Experience/Knowledge /Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Specific Course Prerequisites
A minimum of 60 logged open water scuba dives with a minimum of 30 hours bottom time. Dives shall be varied in environment, depth, and activities.
The instructor is to ensure adequate student knowledge and capability before any open water training and shall use skill or other evaluations to do so. One open water dive (which does not count toward the minimum number of dives required for the course) may be used as a screening and evaluation dive. This is not required when the student’s diving proficiencies are well known to the instructor.
Equipment. Candidates shall furnish and be responsible for the care and maintenance of their own diving equipment. The instructor shall initially assist candidates in checking all their gear to ensure it is adequate and in proper working order.
Medical Approval. Verification of good physical condition as documented by a medical examination and unconditional approval for diving by a licensed physician within the preceding 12 months. In no event will medical approval be accepted wherein the physician signing the certificate is the student.
