Life in the Dominican Republic is relaxed and slow. The cost of living can be cheap depending on where you choose to eat and if you want to club and drink the night away you will spend more money.
Our internship programme provides free accomodation (only electricity costs you pay) and you also earn 10% commission so you only have to pay for your food costs/transportation ( cheap) and general costs of living. As a Dive master you can easily find work in practically any country in the world and the income allows you to travel the world. You can also progress to do your Instructor course and actually teach Students on your own.
Are you seeking a challenge and adventure? Maybe looking for that change of pace from the 9-5 “rat race”? Perhaps even a total change of lifestyle that will give you the opportunity to live and work all over the world? At Hippocampo Dive Centre in Sosua, Dominican Republic, we not only specialize in training you up to internationally recognized PADI standards, we make sure you are at the top of your game so you get that job of your dreams!
What is a Dive Master? A Dive Master is one of the most essential and fundamental cogs of the recreational diving industry’s wheel. Dive Masters are responsible for leading certified divers, organizing the logistics of each days diving on land and on the boat and assisting instructors on certification courses. A Dive Master has mastery of not only his own diving and water skills but can also demonstrate these skills in a manner that even a new diver can learn from. They exemplify confidence, safety and leadership. As a Dive Master, you are not only a role model to other divers, but you are an integral piece of the industry’s backbone.
Why choose PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors)? That’s easy. PADI leads the industry in innovative teaching techniques and course materials. Everywhere you go to dive, you will see almost 100% of the dive centers flying PADI colors. PADI professionals are the most in demand and there is always work to be found.
Why go with Hippocampo Dive Team, Dominican Republic over others offering similar internships.?
Because we do not offer the same as others as we have dedicated ourselves to the training of PADI Dive Masters. Enrolling with us means that your professional development from day one is our pride and focus. Our system is designed to build you from the ground up, or from your current level of experience, and to ensure that you have the utmost exposure to how a real dive center operates. Being an intern with us means you get REAL experience. We recommend you are with us for a minimum of two to a maximum of around 6 months. The structure of our program is designed so you don’t just learn skills and theory, but you get the opportunities to use what you’ve learned in real life diving circumstances. Regardless if you are a beginner or a rescue diver, whatever level you are currently at, you are constantly under the wing of one of our experienced instructors so you are constantly learning and being moulded into the industry from your first day onwards. As you will learn, sales are a huge part of being employees in this industry and the techniques we teach you will make you as well-rounded as can be. That is where you ..the student helps us in return for your training...... SALES.
If available,we can accommodate you for free here in Sosua at the Dive centre. Our H.Q. is not only a dive center; it also has a studio top floor apartment. It is a two minute walk to the beach and good times are never far away since Sosua is a popular night life location. If our accommodation is full or if you would prefer not to stay in our H.Q. we will do our best to help you find accommodation suitable to your needs at a budget you can afford.
Assuming you are starting your training from the beginning, the mandatory courses you will need to take and the order you will need to take them in are as follows:
PADI Open Water Diver. PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. PADI Specialty Courses commence at anytime beyond this point. Emergency First Response (EFR) C.P.R. & 1st Aid. PADI Rescue Diver. PADI Dive Master Trainee (DMT) status starts here and ends when you complete all requirements of the course (i.e. graduation and one heck of a party!)*
NOW YOU ARE ASKING ..OK..WHAT’S THE CATCH..NOTHING IS FOR FREE.....I MUST HAVE TO PAY SOMEHOW.?????
Yes ..you are right..We ask that students pay for all necessary PADI materials for each course and also, before embarking on the Divemaster course ..that full equipment is purchased from us at a beneficial discount on retail prices. If you already have your gear then the sales quotas will be adjusted accordingly.( Not much) That is it for your financial responsibility. As far as course tuitions go, we offer training for every course you see above for free. What we ask of you is that you go out and sell for us and for this you will receive a 10% sales commission.. Depending on how out going you are and how much you can sell, you can finish your courses within a 2-3 month period..
Thats right..You can be trained in another occupation as a professional in as little as 2-3 months. Alternatively you can stay with us for 6 months and enjoy the kicked back lifestyle Cabarete and Sosua have to offer. It all depends on you. Our system ensures you get the most from your time with us and we get increased revenues from your sales. Here’s an example and breakdown of our most popular option:
3 month internship.( can be longer) Free Accomodation (if available...you pay only electricity costs) Training from beginner to Dive Master. 10% commission on your sales. Free 30 fun dives (if you need them )to meet minimum experience requirement for completing the Dive Master course which is 60 dives). If you are short a few dives then the remainder will be heavily discounted to achieve the 60. Standard equipment package to be purchased when starting Dive Master course. You need to achieve a sales quota in order to proceed with each course. As soon as the quota has been reached we begin the course for you. The sales numbers are as follows and are per person, although we can give a bit of leeway sometimes if there is more than one doing the same course.....
Open water course...2500 US Advanced course.....2600 US Rescue and EFR......2800 US Divemaster..........4000 US
Is there anything else you should know about us? Yes! Everything being said, diving here brings you some incredible and unique experiences. Whales are seasonal visitors to the bay area and we have the odd Manta Ray and Whale Shark as prized visitors as well. The water here is blue and the coral life is bountiful as well as beautiful. We have great depth, a very good shipwreck, caves, caverns and so much more so it’s very hard to get bored of the diversity. The experience you gain as a diver is priceless. Furthermore, the bay area here in Sosua is now a protected sanctuary and the marine life is starting to reflect that. We are also pro-active in protecting the environment as we participate in beach clean-ups. We get everyone pitching in to help conserve our reefs and oceans around the world.
If I enrol, when will I start? We run our internships year round so generally people can come and go as they need. Space can fill up quickly so this is not something you want to leave to the last minute. We look forward to hearing from you, so please direct all of your questions to or give us a call at +1-809-571 0834 and we’ll take it from there.
See you in paradise!
EMAIL US: info@hippocampo.com
Newsflash
Why don't you come aboard and experience a new adventure with us!
Kenyan dive sites are spectacular - and little-known
Written by Andreas Ackerl
Saturday, 07 August 2010 17:39
With clouds above and choppy waves battering the boat, my diving trip in Kenya didn't seem to be starting on a good note.
The boat jumped over the waves and thumped against the water; rain spattered the 25 wetsuit-wearing divers on board. I felt slightly seasick as I recalled that a fishing boat capsized here in 2001, killing four people. The captain navigated wildly - if effectively - through a "mlango," Kiswahili for "gate," a gap in the reef where boats exit the lagoon through deep water. Finally we made it to calmer seas and the divers broke into applause.
My queasiness subsided as I remembered what brought me here: a barrier reef and tropical waters teeming with marine life - manta rays, turtles, dolphins and even the elusive whale shark - in one of the least-known but most spectacular dive sites in the world.
We were in Diani, a beach along the Kenyan coast about 520 kilometres east of Nairobi. Despite the area's natural beauty, these days its five-star resorts are semi-deserted. The area has been hurt not just by local crime and a lack of marketing, but also by the post-9/11 climate. The U.S. State Department has issued advisories against unnecessary travel to Kenya and other parts of East Africa due to concerns about terrorism. A 1998 car bombing at the U.S. embassy in Nairobi killed 219 people, and a 2002 attack at a hotel close to Mombasa killed 10 Kenyans and three Israeli tourists.
Yet Kenya's coastal population relies on tourism to make a living, according to Ralph Winter, general manager of Diving the Crab, the company that organized our trip.
"If 40 per cent of tourism-related jobs are no longer in existence, you can imagine how many people are affected," he said.
We divers - an international group of mostly Germans, French and Italians - chose to ignore the advisories for a chance at underwater paradise.
We were heading to a wreck - an old fishing trawler - that the dive centre sank in 2002 at a depth of 26 metres.
All the dive sites along Diani lie parallel to the coastline, between 500 and 700 metres from the shore, part of a 200-kilometre-long barrier reef.
Diving takes place beyond the reef, where the must-see creatures live. It is an ideal location for beginners, since dangerous sharks are rare here. But the site also appeals to experienced divers, especially those craving a glimpse of the whale shark. At up to 10 tonnes, they are the largest-known fish; they allow divers who encounter them to get very close before they swim away, and they have never been known to attack humans. Among scuba pros, seeing a whale shark is a prized goal.
While doing our buddy checks, I began to feel nauseous again. I sat quietly with my gear on, waiting for my group's turn. The ultimate cure for seasickness is jumping in; fortunately it was only a few moments before we hit the water.
Every diver has a favourite moment; mine is right after jumping in, when my head is completely underwater and I start breathing through my regulator. As I descended into the waters off Diani with my group, the water got murkier and chillier and the prow of the wreck came into view.
Schools of tropical fish surrounded us. Swimming around the wreck, we saw barnacles, trumpet fish, trigger fish, bat fish, guitar fish, soldier fish, bigeye fish, banner fish, angler fish, frog fish, rainbow runners, jack fish, snapper, sweetlips, grouper, barracuda, scorpion fish and a resident lion fish.
Our time underwater flew by; after 40 minutes, we emerged for our surface interval - the time required above water between dives to rid the body of excess nitrogen from breathing underwater.
The rainy weather had given way to bright sunshine. On the boat, the friendly dive guides and instructors offered us fresh fruit and coconut to re-energize. We relaxed and soaked up the sun for a little over an hour before gearing up for our second and last dive of the day.
We moved to a reef called Kisima Mungu. As we descended once more, we caught a glimpse of a three-legged green turtle as it swam away. We next encountered a friendly pilot fish, which looks a bit like a barracuda. It tried to bite our fins; for a moment, we worried that it was in fact a barracuda looking for prey. But after a few minutes it departed.
As we left, I kept thinking of the family of dolphins I'd gotten accustomed to seeing during the breaks on board, and I made plans to return. Although I didn't see any whale sharks on my first trip, I did see them on a second visit to Diani. I only hope more international travellers and divers consider Kenya as a vacation destination; Diani is one of the most beautiful and serene places I have ever been.
If You Go...
Flights: SN Brussels flies direct between Brussels and Mombasa. Otherwise, take East African Safari Airlines or Kenya Airways from Nairobi to Mombasa. Many major airlines fly to Nairobi from European cities, including KLM, Lufthansa and British Airways; East African also has flights to Nairobi from Paris, Rome and other cities. Charter flights are available from Germany, Britain and Italy (Condor, Air Europe, Volare, Monarch).
Local transportation: Mombasa Airport is on the mainland, but the town of Mombasa is on an island. Rent a car or take a taxi from the airport, and a ferry from Mombasa town to Diani, on the south coast. Matutus - local buses - are the cheapest way to get around, but you have to take one matutu to the ferry, then a second matutu to your final destination. Matutu prices from Mombasa to Ukunda/Diani are about 40 cents one-way.
Packages: Packages are available through European tour operators. For information on booking a trip, contact Paola Safaris at www.paolasafaris.com; phone, 254-0-40-320 3141 or 320 2262; fax, 254-0-320 3141; mobile, 254-0-733-75 21 80.
Diving: Thirteen of 15 hotels along the coast offer beginner's certification plus advanced and speciality courses, along with excursions to the nearby islands of Chale and Wasini. At Diving The Crab, prices range from $90 US for two dives to $390 for a 10-dive package; contact www.divingthecrab.com or phone 254-40-320-2003.
Places of interest: Shimba Hills National Forest Reserve and Sheldrick Falls are an hour's drive inland; the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, home to African elephants and Sable antelopes; is linked to the reserve. Hotels and local tour operators offer day trips to the reserve and sanctuary.
When to go: December is the best time of year, because it's the dry season, with air and water temperature both around 28 C.
The world of photography is an amazing one. It’s been with us for quite a while now but it is constantly changing. Cameras are changing and improving. Methods of developing are changing and improving as well. We have digital cameras that allow people to take a view of their pictures immediately without traditional developing. Another change in the world of photography is underwater photography.
What do you think brings us those great shots of saltwater fish and movies that film in the ocean and under the sea? What about shots taken in swimming pools? You see those in the movies a lot but may not have thought about how they take those pictures and videos.
You probably never thought about it because for a long time underwater photography was not really an option for everyday people. But now it is not just an option, it’s really easy to achieve.
What is Underwater Photography?
Underwater photography is as the name implies photos that are taken under water. This is pretty interesting since early cameras could not function if wet. But as people started discovering the wonders under the sea, they wanted to be able to share that with others or even just to prove what they actuallysaw. So we began creating cameras that could work under water.
It is no surprise that underwater photography is a favorite pastime for scuba divers. The idea could have come from those few people that were able to experience the joys and beauty of underwater life and a desire to share that beauty with others.
There are many different occasions where people use underwater photography. As we mentioned earlier, underwater photography is used in Hollywood for movies. You have probably also seen it used on documentaries and national geographic type programs about underwater life.
But it is still most commonly used by divers. There are many websites dedicated to all the ins and outs of underwater photography; which cameras and lenses are best, which film to use, and much more can be found on these sites.
How to Take Underwater Photography
Equipment is an important factor in taking great underwater photography. Of course you will need an underwater camera but there is more than just that.
You can take some amazing pictures using underwater photography. There are now even disposable use underwater cameras and you can take them on vacation with you and get that great underwater look. Even an amateur can do it. Disposable underwater cameras can typically be developed at your local Wal-Mart or other film developing center. You can also purchase underwater cameras for more of a price but they last whenever you need one. Some people find this more economical than disposables, especially if they want to take these pictures often.
Just like other venues of photography, you will probably start off with a cheaper and less advanced camera and work your way up if you continue underwater photography for a long time. There are two basics kinds of cameras; the underwater or waterproof camera and the encased camera which is inside a housing that protects it.
When taking pictures, you are going to need to be familiar with:
Your camera
Your lens
Your film
Your flash
There are different things in your environment that will affect the quality of your underwater photography.
Such as:
Depth of water and transparency of water
Light
The angle of the sunlight on the top of the water
The backscatter
Water has a magnifying effect
These are some things to help you get started in the world of underwater photography. If you are lucky enough to be swimming in the sea, you should get some proof to share with others.
Scuba Certification: Questions You Need To Ask Before Getting Certified
Written by Andreas Ackerl
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 12:43
Learning how to scuba dive is your ticket to the ultimate underwater adventure. The scuba certification that you earn is internationally recognized, never expires, and allows you to rent or purchase your own diving equipment. You’ll soon discover, however, that there is no shortage of dive companies out there competing for your hard earned dollars. It can be a daunting task trying to find one that has a proven track record of honesty, integrity, and reliability, while at the same time providing a positive certification experience for both you and your family. To help you comparison shop, I’ve compiled a list of questions any potential certification student needs to ask before getting certified. (There are a number of different scuba training organizations that a dive company can be affiliated with. This article deals primarily with certification courses sanctioned by PADI: Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the largest scuba training organization in the world).
1.How Long Does The Certification Course Last?
Scuba certification is performance based, meaning there is no set amount of hours required for completion. You move from one level to the next during the course at your own pace. You will find that most PADI certification courses advertised are based around an estimated 3 day time frame for completion. For the average person, however, this may not be enough time. 4 days for certification is a much more realistic goal.
2.How Much Does The Certification Course Cost?
Lowball prices are designed for 2 reasons.... to attract your attention, and to get you in the door. The hidden charges for the course, such as books and equipment rental, are conveniently never advertised. Look for an all inclusive certification course experience. Remember, in the end, you always get what you pay for.
3. Are References Available From The Most Recent Students?
Always ask for phone or E-mail references from the most recent certification students who have just completed the course. Don’t settle for written quotes that are years old and taken from some database of generic customer comments. If a lame excuse or noncommittal answer is given, take your business elsewhere. A quality dive operation that has nothing to hide will be happy to provide such references.
4. Who Is The Instructor?
5. How Long Have They Been An Instructor?
6. How Many People Have They Certified?
7. How Many Certification Courses Have They Taught?
Good instructors, who have an extensive resume of experience teaching scuba certification courses, are extremely hard to find. Dive shops have a notoriously high turnover ratio of scuba instructors to staff. Many of the ones who are there are recent hires, and have very little real world experience. They also work long hours for very little money, generally getting paid by the activity, not by the hour. Insist on someone who has certified at least 25 people, and has been teaching a minimum of one year.
8. Is The Instructor First Aid/CPR Certified?
While PADI doesn’t require its scuba instructors to hold these important certifications, any instructor who’s serious about teaching a certification course needs to go the extra mile and make this a requirement, not an option.
9. Will The Course Be Taught Using Rotating Instructors?
This is a common practice some dive operations use where one instructor “Team Teaches” the course with another, exposing you to differing personalities and teaching methods that will only confuse you. Unless you are doing a referral certification, where you are starting and finishing your course in different locations, steer clear.
10. Will Both Instructor And Student Use Similar Equipment Setups During The Course?
When both instructor and student are using the same brand of scuba gear, and have similarly designed equipment configurations, it allows students to learn faster and easier, both in and out of the water, during the certification course.
11. Will The Course Incorporate A Giant RDP Table Into The Academic Sessions?
Learning how to use the dive tables is perhaps the toughest academic challenge a student faces during the certification course. A quality dive operation will have available a giant version of the standard dive table, allowing students to more easily master this important academic information.
12. Can I Get A Student Discount After Getting Certified?
Any reputable dive operation should give you a generous student discount towards future diving activities and/or equipment purchases you make from them, in appreciation for taking their certification course.
Wetsuits are meant to keep divers warm by giving them thermal protection. There are some important guidelines which a diver should learn regarding the wetsuit he might acquire and use. First of all, it is important to know that they are usually made from neoprene; most of the times open cell neoprene. Besides, when wetsuits have a coating added to the neoprene they are easier to be worn and taken off.
The practice of free diving and scuba diving imply the use of different kinds of wetsuits. While a 5 mm thick wetsuit would be ideal for keeping warm a free diver, a scuba diver would need a 7 mm thick wetsuit to achieve the same results. Besides, while most free diving wetsuits don't have a zipper, most scuba diving wetsuits do come with them.
If you are looking for an open cell neoprene wetsuit, it is important that you have into account the fact that they can be easily damaged. If, for example, you are going to use jewelry under your open cell neoprene wetsuit, this could easily damage it and open it, so you should be very careful with it or try to find another kind of wetsuit instead of it. If you have long finger nails you should be careful as well since you could damage it while putting it on or taking it off.
It is also important to have in mind that free diving wetsuits should fit the diver in order to work well and give him the proper thermal protection. If a free diving wetsuit is loose or too tight it would not give the protection it should and it could even become a problem since it could be an obstacle to the diver's movements.
There also are recommendations on how to maintain and store your wetsuit. In order to store it properly while you are not using it, you should hang your wetsuit up avoiding folding it since that could damage it. Besides this, you should make sure to wash the suit after using it and make sure to wash all salty water off from it.
When it comes to investing in your own pair of scuba fins, you have a plethora of choices from a number of manufacturers who continue to advance the engineering they use to produce the most durable, efficient fins possible. While the original, traditional full foot scuba fins are still popular among some people, there are many more styles available now. Most of the new styles of scuba fins are designed by using technical and involved mathematical angles and engineering so that the fin works to the divers advantage as far as efficiency and ease of use.
Some people find themselves being turned off by the complex and technical features of these efficiently advanced scuba fins, leaving them to be content with basic, traditional fins, which is not a bad thing. The main point to remember when purchasing your own scuba fins is comfort. If you are uncomfortable or awkward in a pair of fins, they aren't going to work for you as intended. The specialized angles or split fins used to create greater kicking efficiency are only effective if you are comfortable wearing the fin and using it in the water. Comfort is important because only when you are fully satisfied with you fins will you be able to use them properly.
To help you choose which type of scuba fins will work best for your intended use you should research each style. First are the traditional paddle fins. Paddle scuba fins can be either full foot or have an adjustable heel strap. For scuba diving purposes, people most often use the adjustable heel strap fins of any style. Full foot fins are commonly used as snorkeling fins. Traditional paddle fins work to move water up and down as you kick and they are complimented by divers as being useful when free diving or in currents.
Several major scuba equipment companies have released a new, specially engineered paddle fin that provides much more move for you kick. Dacor and Tusa both have scuba fins with the optimized pivoting blade which is a design that angles the fin so every time you are kicking upward or downward the fins are at the most efficient angle for getting a more forceful kick. The specialized angles of these scuba fins alter the angle traditional paddle fins have, which makes you loose full force during part of the kick.
The next type of scuba fins are all altered in some way with splits, cutouts or vents that the manufacturers say enhance the kicking force and efficiency. The most prevalent of these are the split fins, also known as "Bio-fins" by some companies. These scuba fins divide the paddle of the fin into two parts with a sliver taken out of the middle vertically. Many people have come to appreciate the efficiency and forceful strokes split fins have been proven to allow you. The modification to these fins is supposed to minimize the number of kicks needed to get a set distance. Some divers still believe the most capable scuba fins are the basic ones. Again, the fins you choose should be primarily based on comfort and how easily you function in them.
Other types of split fins have horizontal splits or cutouts and vents at strategic places on the paddle. The Apollo Bio-fins are split scuba fins engineered to push water back, as opposed to up and down, like most fins. The Bio-fin acts like a propeller instead of a paddle, allowing you a much easier kicking task.
Force fins are an additional style you have to choose from. This type of scuba fins is considerably smaller than others, but if you are comfortable using them, they can provide equal kicking force. Force fins mimic a small scale whale tail, which is part of the reason they are claimed to have successful kicking efficiency.
Choosing between these broad types of scuba fins is only the beginning. Within each type there are several other designs to pick from and choosing which brand can be difficult too. Most people limit their selection by having a budget or price range not to exceed. Limiting yourself to a budget will not spoil a large selection though, because there is a variety of scuba fins in every price range. Obviously, the basic and simple scuba fin designs will be the least expensive and as the fins advance in efficiency technology and specialized features, the price will rise.
If you are an avid diver, owning pair of durable and efficient scuba fins is a must, so it would be wise to spend a little extra money on fins with some of the advanced features. At asudoit.com there equipment sold for many adventure sports, including several brands and styles of scuba fins. Here you can look through the features of all the broad types of scuba fins such as force, split, full-foot, heel strap and traditional paddle fins. DiversDiscount.com also has a large selection of scuba fins of all types. At this site you pay less than half the original price for the Tusa Platina fins, which have dual blade fins for greater propulsion force. These Tusa scuba fins are high-performance and available at a cheap price at the discount site.
As for shopping by specific brands, you may want to start with the most commonly know names in scuba equipment such as Apollo, Dacor, Oceanic, Sherwood and Tusa. Some scuba equipment companies are conglomerates, which means some of the less known and less expensive brand names you see may actually be made by one of the larger companies. This is a plus for you because often the branch off brand equipment will be cheaper price wise, but with quality and durability nearly equal to that of the more expensive, better known brands. Each of these manufacturers will have scuba fins for all types. Brand name preference is a personal choice, but each of the above brands are well known, reliable names in scuba fins.
Choosing scuba fins is a matter that is based on personal preference and each individual's selection will be different, but none of them are wrong. Because of this, it is helpful to have the wide selection available so that everyone's preferences are accommodated. Whatever your choice, know that you are comfortable in the fins before you purchase them and look in to the quality and durability of the fins, as it will determine the fins life span and help you decide if they are worth the money.
