The Divemaster course can unlock global opportunities for you, as the demand for divers with advanced diving skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication and leadership skills is high. You can work at beautiful dive locations, be it Koh Tao in Thailand or Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands in the UK.
If you want to pursue scuba diving as a career, the Divemaster certification is the first professional-level step. This certification enables you to supervise other divers and assist instructors in their training.
This course develops your advanced diving skills, including advanced buoyancy control, underwater navigation, and emergency procedures. You learn to manage underwater challenges and create emergency plans through quick thinking and decision-making.
Instructors at LB Diving Koh Tao develop strong leadership and communication skills required to lead groups of divers and communicate effectively on both the surface and underwater. You also gain advanced knowledge, such as decompression sickness, pressure, equipment, and human physiology. Koh Tao is a popular training hub for the Divemaster course for UK divers.
Let’s see how to choose the best Koh Tao diving centre.
Instructor Experience and Credentials
Choose a diving centre with full-time, highly-certified instructors who have many years of experience. The instructors must be specialised in areas such as rescue, navigation, or marine biology. They use their deep knowledge to make the training more engaging and safer. It is perfectly acceptable to ask instructors about their backgrounds.
Class Size
If you want more personalised attention, then join a diving centre that trains students in small groups. More time with the instructor allows you to practice your skills and receive prompt feedback. A class with 4 to 6 students is ideal.
On the other hand, a large class size can dilute the learning experience. Ask about the maximum class size for both in-pool and open-water sessions.
Course Structure and Accreditation
Join a centre that follows a recognised curriculum from bodies like PADI, SSI, or RAID. The centre must clearly outline its training plan, which should include dive theory, confined-water skills, rescue practice, and other aspects of professional-level diving, to ensure you’re fully prepared for real-world situations.
A typical Koh Tao Divemaster course lasts around 4 to 8 weeks. Most diving centres make 4 to 5 dives per day.
Safety Standards
Learn about the safety record and protocol of the centre. They must enforce strict safe-diving practices such as carrying fully serviced equipment, planning each dive conservatively, and requiring divers to stay within skill limits. They must have well-maintained boats and compressors. Everything must happen under the supervision of instructors. Enquire about their emergency plans. Check reviews to learn about potential safety concerns.
Environmental Practices
Eco-conscious practices indicate the highest level of professionalism in the industry. Divers coming into contact with coral reefs through activities like scuba diving can cause breakage, fragmentation, and disease. However, many diving centres in Koh Tao are not just following eco-friendly practices but also running programs for reef clean-up and restoration.
Ask if their training focuses on coral-friendly practices such as good buoyancy to avoid touching reefs.
Local Diving Conditions
Koh Tao has some of the best dive sites. The water remains warm throughout the year, with a temperature of around 28 °C. The island’s waters have good visibility at a depth of 20 m (65 ft). At this depth, you can dive over beautiful, healthy coral gardens and see tropical fish. You may even see whale sharks during the season.
Conclusion
When you are looking for the best diving school in Koh Tao, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the experience of their instructors, eco-friendly practices, class size, course structure, and safety standards.
