Page 1 of 11 Divemaster Internship Program At CoCo View Resort Dockside Dive Center on Roatan - Bay Islands of Honduras - http://docksidedivecenter.com Phone: 011-504-455-7505 Dockside Dive Center Divemaster Training Program Page 2 of 11 Purpose: The purpose of the CoCo View Divemaster Internship program is to give the participant the opportunity to successfully complete the PADI Divemaster course, develop a strong skill set as a diver, and develop those skills further by working in an actual dive resort/dive center environment. It is the participant’s goal to learn how to become an asset to the diving community. Key Standards: Prerequisite Certification: Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver or qualifying certification, and PADI Rescue Diver or qualifying certification. CPR and First Aid certified. Prerequisite Dives: 20 needed to begin course. 60 by the end of the course. Minimum Age: 18 Being a Team Player: Being a team player is the key to success. In an unfamiliar place, surrounded by unknown individuals, it is the act of cooperation which will build strong bonds of friendship and camaraderie. As part of the CoCo View Dive Resort Internship program, you are being put into a situation you have never experienced before, and from personal experience, taking this challenge head on is the best path to success. Being a team player involves many things. You must be able to step up and give a hand without being asked. You must be able to work hard and excel at the things that you do, and you must be able to cooperate with such individuals who share common goals. Being a team player is more than being good. It is the ability to work with others for the greater benefit of all. Here at CoCo View, it may seem a daunting task to try and fit in with the local Divemasters who have been doing this for many years. But, by simply working your hardest at the things that you do, everyone will come around and consider you a viable addition to the crew. Take each day, and each task by itself, and do them one at a time. If you need help, ask, and never be afraid to get your hands dirty and try something new. PADI Divemaster Course The Divemaster course is one of the most challenging PADI programs offered, and also one of the most rewarding. During the course, you will master diving-related knowledge in areas as diverse as physics, physiology, equipment, decompression theory, and general skills such as dive planning and the environment. You will practice and master diving and water stamina skills, and learn to lead dives and assist with diver training. These are just some of the areas covered by the course. The full PADI course requirements are included at the end of this document. Dockside Dive Center on Roatan - Bay Islands of Honduras - http://docksidedivecenter.com Phone: 011-504-455-7505 Dockside Dive Center Divemaster Training Program Page 3 of 11 An internship with Dockside Dive Center takes Divemaster training a step further. In addition to all the aspects of a career in diving covered by the PADI course, your Dockside Internship will teach you valuable skills in other areas vital to success in the diving industry. Following are some of the aspects of a Dockside internship not required by the PADI program… Orientation Program: Overview: The CoCo View Orientation program consists of a resort overview, given by a knowledgeable representative of CoCo View, an overview of dock procedures, given by the head Divemaster, and then a guided underwater tour of the Front Yard, including the Wreck of the Prince Albert, Newman’s Wall, and CoCo View Wall. Guests staying at CoCo View Resort for the first time must participate in the orientation program given that it informs them of local diving procedures and familiarizes them with the environment. Orientation program is also important because it reassures the resort of each diver’s capability to dive safely. Interns will accompany CCV Divemasters on the orientation in the capacity of safety diver. Only an insured and renewed Divemaster can lead the orientation dive. Time: Saturday, Sunday and occasionally throughout the week, depending on when the guests arrive. Outline: Provide an area overview of local conditions and points of interest: Give guests a description of the most current diving conditions, and describe where Newman’s Wall, CoCo View Wall, and the airplane are located in relationship to the Prince Albert. Inform guests that the sandy bottom going out to the Prince Albert can be easily stirred up by wind and the subsequent wave action, by tidal activity, and by diver’s kicking hard too close to the bottom. The orientation should also point out the navigational markers to help them get to and from each of these areas and then back to the staging platform. Explain special procedures used at CoCo View Resort: When entering and exiting the Front Yard, divers must use the natural cut in the reef, located by following the chain. Guests must understand that this is the safest route for both themselves and the environment. In addition, guests should try and not walk past the platform since many animals make their homes in the surrounding areas. Also, no one is allowed to wear gloves while diving, unless specifically required by a medical condition. Touching anything while underwater is strictly prohibited. All divers wishing to make night dives must also know where the buoy is located and how to attach their strobe and clip. Dive Plan: Dockside Dive Center on Roatan - Bay Islands of Honduras - http://docksidedivecenter.com Phone: 011-504-455-7505 Dockside Dive Center Divemaster Training Program Page 4 of 11 To assess proper weighting, check to make sure that each diver can sink to the shallow bottom before leaving the platform. From there, snorkel out to the buoy and descend to the sandy slopes. To check each diver’s comfort level, a partial mask flood and clear and a regulator recovery drill will be performed in the sand flats. Inform guests that there is no need to completely remove their mask or perform either skill with any extravagancy. Once finished, proceed over the Prince Albert, to Newman’s Wall, and then past the stern of the Prince Albert to CoCo View Wall. Once seeing both walls, return to the sand flats near the buoyancy diamonds and allow divers to either explore further by themselves or return to the platform. It is extremely important that you keep track of all the divers in your group and that you end the orientation dive with the same number of participants that you started with. After the dive, debrief participants and discuss observations: Answer all questions that they may have about the resort, or their diving experience, and review any special sightings that may have occurred. Counsel divers who experienced any problems such as anxiety or buoyancy control difficulties, and offer suggestions to increase their comfort level in the water. If such counseling is required, suggest further training and inform Coco View Resort Management of the divers significant problems that may effect safety. In addition, remind divers that the afternoon boat departs at 2 pm and that they should be on board 15 minute prior to receive a boat and dive site briefing. In Addition: The Orientation Program is a great way for the Divemaster Intern to introduce himself/herself to the guests. Guests will often be intrigued by your ‘job’ and make conversation, either there, or later throughout the week. Don’t be surprised if they remember your name, but don’t feel bad if you are unable to remember theirs. One of the most important jobs of the intern is to remain a friendly face for those with similar interests to talk to. As the Intern, you are an ambassador for the Resort and the Dive Shop and should be open and friendly with the guests at all times, making yourself as available as possible. Working on the Boats: Overview: Working aboard the dive boats is one of the most rewarding activities to take part in. It involves hard work, including moving tanks and setting up gear, but also exposes you to the variation of jobs and working conditions which the Divemasters work in on a daily basis. Time: Morning: Boat preparation begins at 7:30. Boat leaves at 8:30. Afternoon: Boat preparation begins at 12:30. Boat leaves at 2:00. Tank Loading: Dockside Dive Center on Roatan - Bay Islands of Honduras - http://docksidedivecenter.com Phone: 011-504-455-7505 Dockside Dive Center Divemaster Training Program Page 5 of 11 Each diver who will be participating will need two tanks. Air tanks are located in between the Yellow (EZ-1) and Blue (EZ-2) boats, and the Green (EZ-3) and Red (EZ-4) boats. Each diver will need two. For those divers using Enriched Air Nitrox, they remain personally responsible for analyzing and marking their own tanks. Under no circumstance will you do this for them. If their Enriched Air Nitrox tanks have not been analyzed and marked, do not load them until they have been. Correct markings on a Nitrox tank may include a name, first name and a possible last initial, the oxygen percentage within the blend, that blends maximum depth, and the date which it was analyzed by the diver. Gear Assembly: As a consideration to each diver, their buoyancy control devices and regulators will be assembled for them before they reach the dock. BCD’s are placed upon the tank with the top of the back plate on the same plane as the neck of the tank.