![[Taiwan Diving – Dylan Chen Column] Divemasters Are Everywhere — Here's How to Stand Out](/_images/2e92b1d8cb64-960w.webp)
Master these qualities and you'll become the Divemaster everyone adores — clients will tip you generously and bosses will fight to give you a raise!
I still remember a dive trip I arranged to Bohol in the Philippines. The moment we arrived at the dive shop and started sorting our gear, an energetic Filipino guy walked over with a big smile on his face and introduced himself. He told us where to stow our equipment, when to meet up, and what to keep in mind during the dive activities.
Right then I thought to myself: I am definitely tipping this guy. His arrival instantly lifted the mood of the entire group, and in the water he was just as dedicated — not only keeping a close eye on our safety, but also pointing out all kinds of fascinating marine life for us to see. What surprised me most was that he was responsible for the BBQ that evening. But that wasn't even the most impressive part — after finishing the grilling, he quietly walked up onto the stage, picked up a guitar, and serenaded us with a song. If that had been me, I would have had a face like thunder by nightfall. He was nothing like that; his smile never left his face from morning to night.
Having visited so many places since then, my image of the ideal Divemaster still rests with that dive guide from Bohol, Philippines. I can no longer picture his face, but I will never forget the moment he picked up that guitar and stepped onto the stage — it moved me deeply.
The Divemaster rating is the entry point into the leadership ranks of diving, and it is a critical turning point. That is why the shift in mindset is enormously important. The course covers foundational academics, water-skills assessment, enhanced scuba techniques, and a variety of seminars and workshops. The primary goal is to develop two core traits in candidates: professional competence and exemplary behavior, because these traits shape career development and values for years to come.
3 Essential "Professional Competencies" for the Divemaster Everyone Loves
Think about who you'd want to dive with — I'm sure it comes down to someone who is an expert, someone who is safety-conscious, and someone who will look after you. So I break it down into these three areas:
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Knowledge (making yourself the expert): A Divemaster must be able to handle everything that happens during a dive, and explain why it happened. That is why the five core dive theory subjects are so important to us. Whether it's physiology, physics, equipment, general skills, or decompression theory — all of these build our diving knowledge base, allowing us to answer any question like an expert. Because of this, students come to trust that we are genuinely capable of keeping them safe.
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Standards (making yourself the referee): Diving is an activity that carries real risk, so we should lean heavily on the rules and frameworks set by established standards to keep ourselves out of danger. Every person in a leadership role should clearly understand how many students an instructor can take, what conditions are acceptable for entering the water, and exactly what content must be covered in a given course. For example, a Divemaster may lead certified divers on activities such as dive tours and scuba review (ReActivate) courses, assist an instructor as a teaching aide, and independently lead snorkeling activities. You might wonder — what about Discover Scuba Diving? The truth is, PADI (certification agency) regulations do not permit a Divemaster to independently lead Discover Scuba Diving experiences. Yet many operations take the attitude of "it's fine, just let the Divemaster handle it" — which is neither legal nor compliant. If something goes wrong, the consequences and liability become far more complicated.
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Empathy (making yourself a friend): During the internship phase, candidates work with real students. I always tell my candidates: "You have to do everything in your power to make your students remember your name." They ask, "How do you actually do that?" The simplest answer is: do everything you can to make them feel good — make them feel that having you around is the most reassuring thing in the world. I used to joke with my colleagues: "Leading a dive is simple — just make your students feel like they're experiencing their first crush." You may end up being more patient and attentive than their own husband or boyfriend. I truly believe that if you do this, your students' sense of security underwater will increase enormously.
Always ask yourself how you can help, look at your students with genuine appreciation, and face every challenge that arises with an open and forgiving heart.
3 Essential "Exemplary Behaviors" for the Divemaster Everyone Loves
Think about what kind of instructor you admire — then become that person, and use it to inspire more divers. The Divemaster is a Dream Model. Remember: every single thing we do is observed and imitated by the divers around us.
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Skills (Rule #1: look effortlessly cool): No matter what you're doing or what happens underwater, always remember to look relaxed and at ease. This takes a great deal of training time, because the movements used in instruction are not the same as those in ordinary recreational diving — which means you must put in far more hours of repeated, deliberate practice.
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Attitude (Top priority: be genuinely good): People watch what you do far more than they listen to what you say. A great attitude — patience, warmth, genuine care — makes your very presence something that puts people at ease. Poor habits, on the other hand, include things like being late, failing to follow rules, and lacking patience.
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Treatment (The key ingredient: be warm): Understand what kind of support a Divemaster can offer — from logistics and dive-site planning to helping students fill in their dive logs. At every stage of the process, you can make a difference. The most important thing in diving is simply being there for someone.
Strive to Become the Dive Instructor You've Always Admired
I'm not sure what a Divemaster looks like in everyone else's mind — someone who leads you on dives, keeps you safe, makes sure you're having fun, and perhaps even makes the whole experience feel truly joyful. I believe that Filipino dive guide, Mario, embodied everything a Divemaster should be, and went far beyond what his role required. I gave him a very generous tip, because he gave us a dive memory from the Philippines that I will always treasure.
Diving has given me so much, and I want to share that feeling with as many people as possible. I believe that everyone who chooses to go all the way to the Divemaster level has a deep and genuine love for diving.
I love my work, because through what we do, more and more people fall in love with the ocean. I am proud of what I do.
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