Roles And Functions Of A Scuba Divemaster
The Divemaster’s Main Task Is Making Scuba Diving Safe And Enjoyable
Dec 27, 2008
The following are a discussion on just a few of the main roles and functions of a scuba divemaster. There are many more than discussed here.
Scuba Divemaster As A Boatmaster
In a perfect setup, a scuba dive boat would have three people running the boat dive.
- The skipper, whose primary responsibility is the operation of the boat.
- The deckhand who assists the skipper in the operation of the boat.
- The scuba divemaster whose role is to manage the diving activities on the boat.
However, in many situations the divemaster needs to take on, or assist, the role of the deckhand. Therefore the divemaster needs to know all about the functioning of the dive boat. The mooring procedure, both at the dock and the dive site, how to operate the myriad of bits and pieces on the boat: dive entry and exit points, air compressors, equipment storage locations, showers, fridges, cooking facilities, toilets, safety ropes, and others.
The divemaster must also be capable of operating the dive boat if something happens to the skipper.
Divemaster’s Functions Out Of The Water
The divemaster needs to carry out a range of activities before getting into the water.
- The divemaster needs to keep divers organized. If everyone knows what is expected of them at what time, the dive will run so much more smoothly. It is surprising how unorganized a bunch of divers can be. Someone might have forgot to pack their mask; a fin strap might break as the diver is about to enter the water.
- The divemaster may need to arrange buddy pairs to match diver’s needs, expectations and experience. Many divers take dive trips in pairs, but there will always be a few divers that need to a buddy.
- The divemaster must know about any regulatory rules that apply to the particular dive site. For example, it may be a marine park where everything is protected.
- The divemaster needs to check divers in and out of the water to ensure no one gets left behind. There have been a number of incidents where divers have been left behind after a diver. Some have been missing overnight; others have never been seen again. There are many systems for checking divers in and out of the water; from a tagging system to a simple head count. The more divers on the boat determines the complexity of the system.
Divemaster Functions When Underwater
When underwater, the divemaster must be a competent diver with all the necessary skills and techniques. Other attributes a divemaster needs when underwater are:
- The divemaster must know the area to be dived well. A divemaster must have a dive plan and be well aware of entry and exit points, currents, underwater geography and other aspects of the physical dive.
- If new to the area, such as a club divemaster taking divers to a new site, the divemaster must have a well defined dive plan. This may have involved seeking local knowledge well in advance of the group visiting the site.
- The divemaster must be constantly ready and capable to respond to any situation underwater; from a diver panicking; to an out of air diver; to accidents such as coral cuts, loss of equipment; divers drifting off or getting lost; divers wanting to push depth and time; dangerous marine creatures (Fire Coral, jellyfish); equipment failure; modeling for underwater photographs; and a range of other situations.
A scuba divemaster also has a function in assisting scuba instructors, both underwater and in scuba theory.
The divemaster’s role is extremely important to ensure safe and enjoyable diving.
