As a PADI Instructor, you already know the value of a Divemaster. You’ve been there, conquered it, and understand the important role that a PADI Divemaster (DM) plays within a dive business. But are you utilising this valuable resource to its full potential as an Instructor?

The benefits of having a PADI Divemaster on staff extend beyond the traditional support they provide, such as supervising and assisting. There are a plethora of ways to utilise a Divemaster’s skills and keep them motivated – and help you and the dive shop in the process.

Typically, a Divemaster is known mostly for supervising scuba diving activities and assisting with scuba classes. They are confident in the water and they will work closely with you as their Instructor to help fine-tune their diving skills and competency. Whilst improving their own capabilities, at the same time ensure they help you –

• • Keep an eye on students throughout the day
  • Help demonstrate and refine students’ skills
  • Look after the group if the Instructor needs to ascend with someone
  • Accompany PADI Open Water Diver students on surface swims, navigation exercises, or tours for dives 2, 3 and 4
  • Assist during PADI Discover Scuba Diving experiences
  • Take PADI Discover Scuba Diving participants on additional dives
  • Accompany certified divers on Adventure or Specialty dives

So what tasks can the ‘Modern PADI Divemaster’ assist you with in order to relieve some pressure and benefit the PADI dive shop that you both work for?

The All-Rounder
Seeing as though the PADI Divemaster course is the first step of their scuba diving career and future as a PADI professional, having them participate in a wide range of facets in the dive shop is a smart idea. Ensure they are hands on with logistics – using their “muscle” to transport scuba tanks, assisting students with the right rental gear and even just keeping the dive shop neat and tidy is a skill that they will definitely need to know in their Instructor role and beyond.

Logistical Support
Are they licensed to, and comfortable with driving your dive shop vehicle so they can transport divers to and from the dive shop to dive sites, or at the very least drive the bus short distances – like from the car park to the jetty? Its simple tasks like this that can make your life a lot easier, leaving you with more time to focus on your students. Get them involved in the day’s dive plans and safety measures, make them feel a part of as much as possible so they take ownership of their role and in turn, become a better dive leader and mentor.

Office Administration
It’s not just the practical side of the business that you can get them involved in – think about administration tasks that may come as second nature to you. Training a Divemaster to assist with these tasks will not only free up your time but also help to develop your DM’s knowledge, skills and confidence.

Marketing Support
It’s no secret that marketing and social media is a very important part of a dive business. As a DM today, it’s becoming increasingly important to have general knowledge in this area of a dive business, not only what it is but also how to do it. It’s very common for a PADI Course Director to add elements of social media and blogging into their IDC – whether it’s writing blog articles about their experience on the IDC or scheduling posts on the dive shops Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The more knowledge of marketing that your DM has, the better you place them as a PADI Instructor in the future (whilst creating more free time for you in the process!).

Below are some examples of marketing support a PADI Divemaster could assist with –

• • Creating or sourcing content for the dive shop social media accounts
  • Posting on and monitoring the dive shop social media accounts
  • Encouraging dive guests to tag and follow the dive shop social media accounts
  • Writing blog content for the dive shop and learning how to publish on your website
  • Gaining customer reviews and testimonials via email marketing, social media and instore and responding to them where appropriate
  • Reviewing email marketing communications to ensure they are up to date
  • Researching new ideas for marketing campaigns and ways to implement them in the dive shop

Lastly, ensure you task your Divemaster with making sure your students are safe and happy! Having fantastic Customer Service leads to a positive experience for your students plus reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor, Google and Facebook but also verbally when they are speaking to family and friends. A happy and satisfied diver is one that will continue their PADI diving education with you.

Looking to market the PADI Divemaster course to grow the ‘Pro’ side of your business? Download the PADI Divemaster Toolkit.

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