PADI Divemaster Skill Demonstrations

5 Tips For Scoring 5s On Your Skill Demonstrations

It’s a struggle you will deal with as a Divemaster candidate. How can I get that perfect score on my skill demonstrations ? Well, having gone through that internship myself and now working as a PADI Instructor, I like to think I might have a few pearls of wisdom to impart. So word up, aspiring dive professionals, because here come 5 tips that helped me get 5s on my Divemaster Skill Circuit:

Position, Position, Position

If a student cannot see a step, you did not demonstrate that step. The key is to position yourself so that they can see everything you are doing. Remember to adjust your positioning as you move through a skill.  For instance, when I demonstrate regulator recovery I start by facing the student. This way, they can see me blowing small bubbles when I take the regulator out of my mouth. Then, I turn my body so that the student can see my right arm make that nice swoop to recover the regulator.

Same, Same but Different

As you moved through your PADI dive courses, perhaps you saw different instructors highlight different details when demonstrating the same skill. Choose which details you want to highlight, but don’t overload your demonstration with them. I recommend picking out the tricks which helped you nail a skill you once struggled with. As an Open Water student, did you find it impossible to fasten your weight belt underwater unless you were leaning forward ? That lean might be a detail you’ll want to highlight in your demonstration.

Plan the Demo and Demo the Plan

Details may vary from instructor to instructor but every demonstration should include all steps necessary for meeting the skill’s performance requirement. How do you make sure you don’t forget any steps ? Avoid making up a demo as you go along. Think of it as a mini scripted scene, rather than an improvisation. Plan which steps need to happen. And in what order. Once you’re happy with the little scene that you’ve planned out, keep rehearsing it the same way until you’re performing it like a pro!

What Do I Wear ?

If you think of your skill demonstration as a dress rehearsal, you can think of your equipment as your costume. And like with any productive dress rehearsal, you should probably wear the same costume you will wear for your final performance. When you use the same set of gear every time you practice, you avoid fumbling around for what you need. How will your student feel comfortable with their dive equipment, if you appear uneasy with yours ? So aspiring PADI Pro, if you haven’t already, think about investing in your own gear.

Go Big or Go Home

Remember drama class back in your elementary school days ? Remember how your teacher would tell you to perform for the last row of the audience ? Your gestures had to be big enough so that audience members all the way in the back could see. Tap into your inner thespian when demonstrating your skills. Be big and move slowly. If you think you’re being big enough, you’re not. That arm swoop for your regulator recovery ? Not big enough. Be bigger.

Ready to see if your skills are ‘demonstration quality’ ? Sign up for one of our PADI Pro Divemaster Internships…