My Journey to Becoming a PADI Pro – Divemaster Internship in Switzerland

Divemaster Internship – You can do this in Switzerland?

Many who start their diving careers dream of exotic destinations with tropical beaches and warm waters. However, Sidney, a PADI Divemaster intern at the PADI 5 Star IDC Center TSK Zurich, deliberately chose to do her Divemaster internship in Switzerland over the summer. She quickly realized that you can discover an impressive underwater world right on your doorstep, while also reducing your carbon footprint and getting to know your own home better.

Switzerland offers Sidney a unique opportunity: a top-notch diving education, a structured course program, and a large dive shop that provides the ideal conditions for professional development in this field. Her Divemaster internship is an exciting combination of theory, hands-on training, and intensive work at the dive center and dive shop. Through the internship, she is progressing toward becoming a PADI Divemaster.

Hey! I’m Sidney, the first PADI Divemaster intern at TSK Zurich. This summer, I’m diving into the world of Swiss diving – from rentals to the dive school and even the massive dive shop. For me, it’s clear: I want to dive and share my passion with others. Stay tuned and join me through this exciting summer during my Divemaster internship in Switzerland!

My dive training quickly picks up speed. Since I already had my PADI Open Water Diver (OWD) certification, I was able to start right away with the Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) at TSK Zurich. Despite the rain and cold, the course was a complete success. Then, it was on to the PADI Rescue Diver course, which was an intense and incredibly rewarding experience. We practiced rescue exercises at Lake Neuchâtel, which challenged me both physically and mentally. I got to know my stress limits and now feel confident in handling emergency situations.

When it finally came time to dive in a dry suit, a whole new experience awaited me. Dry Suit Diving turned out to be much simpler than I expected, and the buoyancy feeling in the suit is phenomenal. At last, I can dive in Swiss lakes even during the colder months.

During my Divemaster internship, I work at the dive center helping with rentals. I also get insights into the storage and preparation of dive equipment for courses. Under the guidance of Annick, my mentor and the head of TSK Zurich’s dive center, I’m learning all about the administrative process of course organization. The dive school is super busy in the summer. I assist with Discover Scuba Diving for juniors, which inspires me to spark a love for diving in the next generation while also fostering environmental awareness.

From the TSK shop team, I’m learning all about selling dive gear. One task specific to our region is checking dry suits for small holes – an essential part of preparing for the upcoming dry suit season. I also spend a day at TSK Bern, where I gain insights into the differences between TSK shops. Bern has a workshop for servicing and repairs, which I found fascinating.

I also get to help out at TSK’s annual Equipment Testing Day, a huge event where divers can try out different new pieces of gear. I’m learning a ton about various diving products and their suppliers. The atmosphere and exchange with other divers are incredibly motivating.

Of course, diving remains a big part of my time here. I participate in team dives, cleanup dives, and Tschiggi dives (the female dive community). I also had the chance to join two Open Water Diver (OWD) courses as a buddy and observer as preparation for my upcoming role as a Divemaster trainee. I’m excited, as more thrilling weeks lie ahead!

The PADI Divemaster training is a crucial step on my journey to becoming a PADI Pro. I experience exciting lake days with workshops on dive site setup, search and recovery, deep diving, and much more. I also learn how to create emergency plans and dive site maps. Over two intensive pool days, we practice for the Skills Circuit. Although I already know the 24 exercises from previous courses, these days are quite exhausting since I now need to not only master the skills but also demonstrate them. Then, a surprise stress test comes up: I have to swap my entire gear with another diver underwater. This course pushes me to discover my limits anew and grow beyond them daily. To work as a PADI Pro, it’s essential to be confident and calm – qualities I’m actively striving to develop.

Even before I started at TSK, I had planned two weeks of volunteering in Sanremo, Italy, which fit perfectly with my internship. So, in July, I assist on a 21-meter sailboat to observe dolphins and whales and record their behavior. We even encounter the rare sperm whale, and the highlight: a sighting of the elusive Cuvier’s beaked whale. On weekends, I dive in the nearby town of Imperia, enjoying the diverse marine life and stunning underwater landscapes of the Ligurian coast.

To wrap up my internship, Annick organizes a PADI AWARE night where I get to share my experiences in the Mediterranean with others through a presentation. It was a fantastic opportunity to exchange knowledge and promote interest in citizen science. These two weeks on the Mediterranean have deepened my passion for the underwater world and motivate me to keep contributing to the protection of these ecosystems. I’m grateful for the support I received from the dive center.

Sidney’s summer Divemaster internship in Switzerland is more than just training. It’s a journey that helps her grow not only as a diver but also as an individual. The combination of intensive practical training, theoretical knowledge, and the opportunity to be actively involved in the dive school’s operations provides her with the perfect preparation for her career as a PADI Pro.

Anyone passionate about diving and considering a professional career should definitely consider a Divemaster internship.

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