A RAID Divemaster is one of the most highly respected ratings in the dive community and the first Pro levels within the RAID system of training, education and certification. Although some may find that the Divemaster rating suits their professional needs and is a rewarding full-time or part-time career in its own right, a RAID Divemaster can also be a stepping stone and is a prerequisite to becoming a RAID Dive Instructor.

That is, by becoming a RAID Divemaster you can plan, organize and lead dives for certified divers. You can also assist in diver training and even conduct some training independently of a RAID Instructor.

If you love diving and want to share your passion with others, if you are looking for an exciting career or to travel Planet Ocean with a professional credential under your belt, a RAID Divemaster course and qualification is for you.

Prerequisites

To become a RAID Divemaster you must first complete as a minimum the following RAID courses: Open Water 20, Nitrox, Advanced 35, Deep 40, Night and Limited Visibility, Navigation and Master Rescue Diver. We also highly recommend you at least complete two other specialty ratings that will help build on your professional standing, such as those that may be useful and unique to your area of employment (e.g. Wreck Diver if your local region has a wreck site or Drift Diver if there is a popular drift dive in your vicinity).

You will require a minimum 25 hours of logged in-water experience to become a RAID Divemaster. We feel this is essential to set you up for completing the course and to take on the necessary responsibilities that come with a professional level qualification. You will also need to have a diving medical less than 6 months old that is signed-off on by a licensed medical practitioner.

Note that at RAID, we require a higher standard of training than most other diver training agency at all levels. It is not that the RAID training is more difficult, it is just more comprehensive and therefore we believe that we typically train better divers. If you have undertaken training from another training agency we do recognize such training; however in most instances, you will find you need to do some additional training prior to starting with RAID, especially if you have only fulfilled the minimum requirements required by most other agencies. For example, you will be required to provide documented evidence of at least 5 hours of diving to more than 27 meters / 90 feet and have been trained to 40 meters / 132 feet.

Also at RAID we do not feel good buoyancy control should be part of a specialty diver certification. If you have come through the RAID system you would have been taught to hover in the horizontal diver position. If not, there will be a workshop provided to train you in this vital buoyancy skill.

Course content

The RAID Divemaster course teaches you above all to be a leader among your peers and other divers generally. You will have the ability to lead and control dives, act as a safety and rescue person on organized dives, assist RAID Instructors in training and generally be in charge of organised dive activities. Through a combination of our cutting edge online training and interaction with your RAID Instructor, your diving knowledge will be honed to a very high level, preparing you to be a reference point for other divers. This will ultimately prepare you for RAID Instructor training if you wish to further your career path in that direction. Your in-water skills will be refined to demonstration quality for dive students you will be working with. You will also be prepared to support RAID Instructors during other practical parts of RAID training courses, including being trained to asses dive conditions and potential risks at dive sites.

Topics and practical workshops include:
Academic Section (all online):
• Diving in General
• Environment
• Dive Equipment
• Physics
• Physiology
• Rescue
• Management

Practical Section:
• Review of personal diving skills
• Stamina and waterman ship skills
• Diver rescues
• Dive briefing and dive site evaluations
• Risk management exercises
• Environment dive mapping
• Assisting and conducting program

Part 1:

• Supervision of student divers
• Assist with Level 1 Training (actual/simulated)
• Assist with Level 3 Training (actual/simulated)

Part 2:

• Dive Leadership Rebreather/ open circuit SCUBA review
• Try Dive /Discover Rebreather/ open circuit SCUBA
• Local Orientation
• Dive leading certified divers on tour for pleasure.

Time to get started?

Your RAID Dive Centre can help you get started today or go to www.diveraid.com to register and start your online theory.
How to start:

• Go to www.diveRAID.com
• Click register at top right (unless you are already in the RAID system)
• Go to online store.
• Purchase your Divemaster Course.
• Start your online theory.
• Contact your preferred RAID Dive Centre to schedule your in-water training.