Divemaster prepares you to supervise other divers in open water diving situations. As a divemaster you may assist in training courses working under the supervision of an instructor, or you can also work independently of an Instructor in supervision of certified divers for dive clubs, charter boats, or diving resorts.

YMCA Divemaster training also includes staff lectures designed to ensure that you have a sound understanding of diving theory and technology.

Part 1 is a weekend of staff lectures with a pool session to learn and practice the required water skills.

Part 2 is an evaluation where candidates present prepared dive briefings and demonstrate competency in pool and open water skills. With successful completion of Part 2, the candidate is recognized as a "Divemaster In Trainging".

Certification requirements are complete when the Divemaster In Training has demonstrated divemaster skills and qualities on five dives supervised by a YMCA SCUBA Instructor.

Assistant Instructor prepares you to take a more active role in the training of SCUBA students while working with a SCUBA Instructor. You may also gain experience by teaching the YMCA Safe Snorkeling and Skin Diving courses. The training focuses on teaching techniques for classroom, pool and open water teaching environments.

Institute staff will present lectures on teaching techniques and discuss "how to teach" various subjects at the entry level course.

Candidates are evaluated on their ability to present classroom and pool lectures and conduct a simulated tour dive as would be performed by an Assistant Instructor during an open water checkout dive.

A written exam and evaluation water skills (similar to that required of YMCA Open Water students) is also required.

An open water session will evaluate your ability to rescue a diver and conduct a tour dive as an Assistant Instructor may be called upon to do during a checkout dive.

Certification requirements are complete when the candidate has completed a teaching internship with a YMCA SCUBA Instructor.

SCUBA Instructor Institute is the testing Institute for YMCA SCUBA Instructor certification.

What you have learned during the Divemaster and Assistant Instructor training courses, during the teaching internship as an Assistant Instructor, and your additional study and preparation, are evaluated during this weekend.

You will take several written exams, be evaluated your on classroom and pool teaching techniques, demonstrate proficiency in pool and open water skills, and conduct a simulated open water checkout dive with staff playing the role of your students.

Additional staff lectures will cover the administrative aspects of being a YMCA SCUBA Instructor.