The completion of the new RAID Divemaster program represents a major milestone for RAID. We have now completely overhauled every program from Try Dive to Instructor Trainer. RAID can proudly boast the most modern training system in the industry!
The Divemaster course is critical and forms the foundation professional level and prerequisite for instructor training.
We are extremely proud of this program and we believe is the best in the industry. It creates a well-rounded dive professional with the knowledge and practical skills that will make them a cut above the industry standard.
This is an important step in RAID training as it feeds the RAID Instructor Development Program (IDP). We want RAID Divemasters to receive the same level of skills training as the Instructor, plus give them scenarios that will prepare them for real world professional diving work, including working with real students and certified divers.
In reviewing our, and indeed other agency, material being used in the industry we decided to rewrite many of the manuals in the course. We have kept what was important, added new relevant information and revised the skills and sequence of the course. This was done in consultation with industry experts, Dive Centres, Instructors and consumers.
We believe we achieved our goal, which was to modernise our program with relevant content and extremely high standards of skills training, thus making the RAID Divemaster the best in the industry.
RAID International would like to thank all the people who had input on this program. Particularly Gary Hawkes and the Gempearl team in Australia for their advice. We also would like to thank Leslie Finlay who has given us great information in the environment section. We appreciate the input from our global team and look forward to all your comments.
What has changed in the academic sections?
- Diving in General – completely new and covers the following:
- Overview of training
- Working with children
- Types of diving
- General dive industry overview
- Environment – revised with important marine conservation sections and case studies added.
- Equipment – completely new and while still educates on equipment it has been modernised and outlines the Divemasters role and understanding of equipment when working with divers.
- Physics – revised
- Physiology – revised
- Rescue – completely new and aims to avoid rescues, with better coverage of the psychology of rescue, dive planning, risk assessment, human factors, situational awareness, positioning diagrams and critical incident stress debriefs.
- Management – revised with information linking the Divemaster slates.
- Confined water – removed, all confined water training is in the combined in water training manual
- Open water – completely new, this manual now incorporates the confined and open water training manual. This manual is in a more logical sequential order. It forms the basis of the Instructor Guide. New forms and a complete appendix guide the Divemasters in training.
What practical components are in the “Divemaster In Water Training Manual”?
- Stamina exercises – reviewed
- Knot workshop – made relevant to practical Divemaster application
- Tank filling workshop – An important addition that outlines basic safety and procedures for using a fill station. It does not replace formal training but is used as an introduction to give Divemaster candidates an idea of the procedures, dangers, and safety protocols with an overview of their local tank fill station.
- Skill demonstration – a better outline and description of each skill with a common problems list added.
- Mapping project – revised tying the briefings, RMS and environmental concerns together.
- Risk management preparation – revised
- Practical application is in 2 phases:
- Phase 1 Assisting
- Assist with real Open Water 20 program
- Assist with real or simulated Explorer 30 or Advanced 35
- Assist with real or simulated Master Rescue
- Phase 2 Leadership
- Assist continuing education divers in open water
- Leading certified divers in open water
- Running refresher program
- Try dive training
- Briefings and debriefing
- Dive Site Brief
- Dive Brief
- Environmental Brief
- Dive Debrief
- Dive flexible skills as listed
- Professionalism and attitude evaluation
- Phase 1 Assisting
Find out more about the requirements for delivering the program and the Divemaster Instructor Rating.
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