Master Diver

The SSI Master Diver rating is the pinnacle of recreational, non-professional diving. It’s the last stop on your recreational training path. It combines knowledge and skill development so that you can become a role model for other recreational divers.

To become an SSI Master Diver, you need to complete a minimum of 5 Specialties with one being SSI Diver Stress and Rescue and log over 50 dives. It is that easy!

The other specialties we recommend are Deep Diving (to 40 meters/130 feet), Enriched Air Nitrox 40%, Wreck Diving, and Marine Ecology. Already have one of these specialities under your belt? Get in touch with us and we can arrange to swap in a different specialty course like Sidemount, DPV or photography (additional expense).

Not an SSI Diver? No problem! Up to 2 Specialties from a recognized agency can count towards your 5 SSI Specialties. SSI Diver Stress and Rescue not included.

Our Master Diver Program works on a constant rotation, which means you can join it at any point and still complete the whole program in a week. New student orientations begin every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 am. Make sure you sign up by the day before to guarantee your spot!

Will you still not have 50 logged dives by the end of the Master Diver program? Contact us about possible flexible Master Diver internship opportunities that will allow you to continue to improve your skills and log more dives.

The schedule for the course usually looks something like this.

Day 1

9:00-12:00

You’ll meet your instructor in the morning and you’ll learn the theory behind the Rescue Course and the topics it covers. It’s a nice and relaxing morning preparing for the excitement to come!

12:30-17:30

In the afternoon you’ll usually head to the pool for some hands-on training experience. You’ll go through some rescue training scenarios, learn some compass skills, learn oxygen administration procedures, and start to incorporate the use of first aid treatment.

Day 2

9:00-12:00

You’re back at Blue Water on the morning of day two to continue learning rescue diver theory. With your instructor and fellow classmates, you’ll discuss various emergency scenarios and the procedures you would use to assist and manage those emergencies. You’ll also have the Rescue Diver exam at the end of the morning discussion.

12:30-17:30

The final afternoon you’ll be out on one of our big dive boats doing your final emergency scenarios. Your instructor will set up a rescue scenario where you will need to put into practice everything you have learned in the past two days. You will need to manage the scene, organize rescue and necessary first aid treatment. These scenarios are an essential experience for any budding dive professional.

Day 3

9:00-12:00

Day three starts a session on the Marine environment taught by our Marine conservation department at Big Blue Conservation, learning how and why eco systems behave and respond and what type of habitats to look for what type of marine life

12:45-18:00

You’ll once again be out on the afternoon boat on day three.  You’ll use your two afternoon dives to explore the underwater world with our inhouse Marine Biologist.

Day 4

9:00-12:00

Day four is an interesting and exciting day! This is the day you’ll dabble in nitrox diving and deep diving. The morning will be spent in the classroom learning the theory behind nitrox diving and the added complexities it adds to diving with our team at Big Blue Tech. You’ll also learn how to safely dive to a maximum depth of 40 meters/130 feet.

12:45-18:00

The afternoon of day four will have you back out on the boat to do two more dives.  These ones will be something for the books.  These are the dives where you’ll put your new Nitrox and Deep Diving knowledge into practice, hopefully on a wreck!

Day 5

7:00-13:00

Day five will have you off to an early start. For a bit of a change, there’s no classroom session today.  You’ll head out on the morning boat to conduct your final deep dive to 40 meters on Nitrox. The second dive will be at a different wreck from where you went the day before.

PLEASE NOTE!

You may need your React Right or Basic First Aid to be certified as a Rescue Diver. If you need this we can offer a 1 day Course for an additional 5500Bt.

Don’t forget! Because of the extra nitrogen your body builds up while scuba diving, you cannot fly within 24hrs of your last dive.

Are you fit to dive?

Scuba diving is an activity that requires a certain level of physical health.  Read this medical questionnaire.  If you can answer yes to any of the questions you may require medical clearance to enrol in a diving course.  Contact us for more information.