Coral Divers is a PADI 5 star Gold Palm IDC Center situated in Sodwana Bay, South Africa. We are proud to be able to provide all levels of PADI scuba instruction (check our course rates) from Bubble Maker, to Instructor Development courses, as well as accommodation and dive charters.
Lying within the boundaries of The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, Sodwana Bay provides the traveling diver with a vast array of unspoilt coral reefs, populated with a huge diversity of Indo-Pacific fish & invertebrates.
Coral Divers offers you a very comfortable diving holiday experience, while retaining the rustic appeal of an out-of-the-way bush camp.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT COURSE
The Coral Divers Career Development Program is a unique experience, offering the best possible foundation in the dive industry. The Program is essentially an internship that provides you with a real 'hands on' educational experience which ensures that not only do you gain the best training and qualifications but also the confidence and ability to utilise them fully.
Introduction Phase - Master Scuba Diver
Overview
The introduction phase lasts 3 months during which you achieve PADI's highest available level as a recreational diver, the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating. The introduction phase delivers the perfect start to your diving career, the opportunity to live and work in the dive industry gaining invaluable training and experience. We provide a package which includes training, diving, food, accommodation and clothing valued in excess of R40000. Your active participation in our dive operation subsidises this cost and ensures an understanding of the industry from the ground up. This phase is also suitable for those just wanting a life experience, to try something different or seeking personal growth and development. Successful completion of the Introduction Phase will entitle the candidate to a subsidized DM course.
Diving
All candidates receive internationally recognised PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) qualifications. PADI trains 80% of the world's recreational divers and is therefore the agency of choice for those wishing to pursue a career in diving.
- PADI Open Water Diver - Learn to dive.
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver - Hone your dive skills and extend your depth limit to 30m.
- Emergency First Responder - CPR and First aid.
- PADI Rescue Diver - Learn how to deal with dive emergencies.
- PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty - Extend your dive time with different gas mixes.
- PADI Deep Diver Speciality - Experience life 40m below the ocean.
- PADI Multi-Level Diver Speciality - Plan and execute dives with varied topography.
- PADI Naturalist Diver Speciality - Understand the ecology of the aquatic environment.
- PADI Navigation Diver Speciality - Learn to read the reef.
- Minimum 40 Dives - Most candidates log 60+ dives.
- Scuba Gear - BCD, Regulator, Cylinder and Weights for the duration of the phase.
- Open Water Manual & RDP Table
- Adventures in Diving Manual
- Rescue Manual
- Nitrox Manual & Slates
- EFR Manual and reference card, RDP Wheel
- PADI Course Materials are not included in the course price.
The above materials form a personal reference library, ownership of the materials is a PADI Standard. Coral Divers subsidises the cost of these materials to assist candidates with their tuition. Our package price reflects a 40% discount on the Recommended Retail Price. Alternatively students can purchase their materials from their local Dive Shop.
Trainees will also have to supply their own Wetsuit (5mm), Waterproof Watch (Depth Rated 40m), Mask and Fins and take out DAN Diving Medical coverage. This currently costs R655 per annum and covers all diving emergencies, evacuation, decompression therapy and relocation at any diving location in the world.
Duties
Examples of duties will include:
- Setting up the beach operation first thing in the morning and packing up at the end of the day. This entails waking up 2 hours before the first launch to have the boats and dive gear prepped for the arrival of the divers, loading and assisting transfer of the cylinders to and from the boats during the course of the day.
- Fuelling the boats and tractors for the next days diving activities
- Assisting in the gear room and at the activities desk.
- Beach control
- Washing down and greasing tractors.
- Each person will report to an experienced leader who will guide you through the 3 month syllabus and will be a valuable source of guidance and information to you.
- Assignments and Presentations
Assignments and Presentations are given to trainees during the course to expand their knowledge. This ensures that the trainee is given the quality of training necessary to pursue a career in the industry.
These assignments include:
- Fish presentations
- Making detailed maps of popular dive sites
- Comprehensive emergency evacuation plans
- Presentations on topics of interest in the industry
Tasks
Tasks will be focussed on the more practical side of the training received. Examples of tasks include:
- Guiding divers on all reefs in the area
- Group rescue scenarios
- Maintenance Projects
Catering
All meals will be provided for the duration of the training period. Any diets that are required for religious or health reasons can be arranged with our catering staff in writing.
Dive equipment
Coral Divers will supply all the basic scuba equipment such as cylinders, regulators and BCD's for the course. Wetsuit, fins, mask, snorkel and weight belt must be supplied by the trainee as well as a waterproof watch. A 5mm one piece wetsuit is the minimum thickness required. A "chicken vest" with a hood is recommended between July and September.
Time off
Each group will have 1 week off after 6 weeks on the course to relax and recharge.
Pro Phase - Dive Master
After completing the 3 month Introductory Phase, the next step if you want to pursue a career in the dive industry as a professional, will be your Dive Master Course. The course duration is one month. After this you will be able to lead divers on casual and training dives, do scuba reviews and assist on various courses. This training equips you with the necessary knowledge and qualification to travel internationally and start your Open Water Instructor Course.
Accommodation, catering and basic dive equipment rental are provided for the duration of your training.
PADI Course Materials are not included in the course price. There are three options to choose from:
- Dive Master Pack STANDARD (Encyclopaedia, Manual, Workbook, Slates & Program Guides)
- Dive Master Pack PLUS (STANDARD pack, plus Wheel and ERDP)
- Dive Master Pack PRO (PLUS pack, plus RDP table)
The above materials form a personal reference library, ownership of the materials is a PADI Standard. Coral Divers subsidises the cost of these materials to assist candidates with their tuition. Our package price reflects a 40% discount on the Recommended Retail Price. Alternatively students can purchase their materials from their local Dive Shop.
During the Pro Phase, applications for further training with Coral Divers on the experience phase can be made through your group leader. There are limited places available and employees will be selected on merit with your Dive Master course being a prerequisite. Coral Divers is not obliged to accept any trainees after the Introduction or the Pro Phase has been completed.
Experience Phase
Once the Professional Phase is completed, those accepted onto the experience phase will be able to stay on and build on their knowledge and experience in leading dives. All applicants are required to own a full set of gear as gear hire is not an option on this course.
We offer optional courses of real value to the dive industry, including:
- Diving Emergency Management Provider - (price on request) (Oxygen and advanced oxygen provider, hazardous marine life injuries, automated external defibrillators)
- Skippers course
- Compressor operator course
- G ear servicing course
- Dive retail and travel
After 4 months of this experience phase you will be qualified to participate in the Open Water Scuba Instructor Course. This chance of a life time opportunity opens up a world of travel.
REEF INFORMATION
The coral reef complex of Sodwana Bay is positioned 27 degrees 33' 28" S and 32 degrees 41' 10" E, making this reef system one of the most southern in the world. The majority of these reefs are named according to their distance from the Jesser Point launch site.
WHERE: The coast of Kwazulu Natal, Sodwana Bay
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