Divemaster and Instructor: What is the difference?

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

A few years back, when I was still working for an island dive resort, I remember talking to one non-diver guest about the difference between a Divemaster and an Instructor – but that came later in our conversation.

That lady in her forties came to resort with a few more divers friends – I can’t remember the exact number. Anyway, she was the only non-diver in the group. They were on the island for a few days.

Here is the story: For about two days, she was talking about getting certified as scuba diver and that she will be looking around for a Divemaster in her hometown, sign up for the diving course, get trained and eventually get certified. But wait a minute – a Divemaster to train her? Yes. You read it right.

During the first two days where she has been mumbling about getting into scuba diving – I could see that there was a shy factor in the conversation. Shy because she was the only non-diver in her group.

It suddenly hits me that she didn’t know or understand the difference between a Divemaster and an Instructor. As polite as I could be, I had to stop her at one point to actually explain to her the true facts.

Here was my explanation: According to Professional Association of Diving Instructor (PADI), Divemaster is the first professional level in any scuba certification. Divemaster can lead a group of divers on diving excursions; independently organize diving trips, assess and execute diving logistics and so on.

Instructor on the other hand is the 2^nd level of professional rating. You need to be a Divemaster certified to be able to attend the Instructor Development Course including the Instructor Examination. There are 6 levels or stages of instructorship. The final one being the Course Director – the highest level in scuba diving according to PADI curriculum.

With that explained, we know that only Instructors can train you to become a certified scuba diver and not a Divemaster. The lady above admitted to thinking that Divemaster was the highest of them all.

Of course she wasn’t 100% wrong because Instructors are Divemasters too. But every certified diver knows the difference between these two and it is good to explain to others the difference between a Divemaster and an Instructor.

To be honest, I’ve had a few more similar conversations during my many years of involvement in the scuba diving industry. Sometimes I find it hilarious to hear honest and innocent remarks about these key players in the diving industry.

Related posts:

1. Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Become A Divemaster