Divemaster in Costa Rica...Go Pro

Getting my PADI Divemaster certification, while living in Costa Rica, was an unforgettable experience. I had quite a bit of dive experience prior to starting the course, but the Divemaster course taught me how to dive for others, rather than just taking care of myself. Being aware of how skilled or comfortable other divers are underwater and identifying and solving any problems they might have, is a skill I will use throughout my diving career. The exceptional training provided also helped to refine my own dive skills, in both the pool-work and internship components of the course. Also, for a nature lover, Costa Rica has so much to offer, you would really want to set aside some time to just explore the country. 

The Divemaster Internship

One of the components of the course is the internship. This involves learning about the whole diving operation. I learnt how the dive shop works, including loading the vehicles and boats before and after the dives, kitting out the customers, assembling customer equipment, giving boat briefings, washing the equipment, learning to service and repair equipment and generally helping customers. Working for the dive shop, meant I got to go out diving twice a day, nearly every day. I completed my course over  three weeks and logged around 30 dives. I also got to go diving in all sorts of conditions and really felt more confident in my own diving, after learning to dive in sometimes challenging conditions.  

Confined Water work

Usually, 2-3 afternoons a week were filled by pool sessions. Part of the pool-work was practising our own skills, so that we could perform them to a demonstration level. Also, previous training was reviewed, to refresh our memories, particularly with EFR procedures. Once this was achieved, we were given the opportunity to demonstrate and aid in the training of actual clients. Something pretty special about doing pool work in Costa Rica is the troops of howler monkeys that pass overhead in the canopy nearly every afternoon. There’s the odd iguana chewing on a mango to observe too.

Theory for the PADI Divemaster
When the afternoons not taken up by pool sessions, I usually did my theory work. This involved working my way through the divemaster manual, dive encyclopaedia and workbook. For me, the "Physiology of Diving’"chapter was very interesting and I found myself often thinking about what I had learnt while on a dive. You also learn about equipment in detail, marine biology and the physics and chemistry of diving. Mostly, the theory work could be done independently, however, if I ever had any trouble Georgia was always available to give a one on one tutorial. The theory section is an area where you can quickly become aware of how experienced and knowledgeable your instructor is. Georgia is an excellent course director and the level of training provided by her and the other instructors is outstanding.

Stamina Tests, Maps and Plans!
Other parts of the course, such as the stamina tests, dive site map and emergency action plan are completed at any time during the course, whenever you have the time or feel ready. The stamina tests include an 800m snorkel, a 400m swim, a 200m tow and 15 minutes of treading water. These tests were challenging, but certainly not difficult for people of an average level of fitness. The dive site map involved plotting a dive site by taking depth readings at certain intervals and noting underwater formations. This could be easy in good conditions, but I would pick a good day because it was a bit tricky in rough and low visibility conditions. The emergency action plan was just a more detailed version of what I had completed in the EFR course. Costa Rica was a beautiful location to choose for my Divemaster training. The people are so friendly, the food is great, everything is cheap but most of all the nature is spectacular. I did a day trip into the Manual Antonio National Park, and saw two and three toed sloths (a massive highlight for me), white-faced and howler monkeys, a massive iguana, tree frogs and abundant bird life. I also visited the sloth sanctuary in Limon, which was also a wonderful experience. I wish I had had more time in Costa Rica because there are so many national parks to explore, the leatherback turtles to check out on the Caribbean side, bull shark dives and (for those with more cash than I had!) the famous Isla del Coco is also accessed from Costa Rica.

The Fun!
Something I really appreciated about the culture at Ocean’s Unlimited, is the way teamwork is encouraged. There is none of the hierarchy issues, with DMT’s considered free labour for the duration of their training, as I’ve heard happens with other companies.  Everyone works together and everyone socialises together. Mike’s bakery around the corner is the lunchtime hangout (oh the hot rock dogs and chocolate fudge brownies!) and then after work everyone gathers at La Ranchera for a drink. The staff are approachable and take training seriously, but there is also a very relaxed and fun vibe with the people there. I was also lucky enough to have a great group of DMT’s to go through my training with.

Taryn Foster - Australia