I arrived in Koh Tao on the 5th of December 2011 with one goal, this was to become a professional diver by completing my PADI Divemaster course. I had researched a few places before I left on my travels, one of the first results that came up was Davy Jones Locker on Koh Tao. DJL was very efficient with regards to answering my many questions, as I had previously only dived in a pool I had a considerable amount to ask however within a few days I was all ready to go.
I left Scotland with plans to travel encompassing my Divemaster course as one of the highlights. As I mentioned I arrived on the 5th of December where i was met by Ping-Pong the DJL representative who was happy to take me to the shop as a complimentary service. First impressions of the pool-bar and shop were good, I was welcomed by receptionist Cathy and was promptly taken to my accommodation, included in the price of my course for a period of 2 months. The very same day I started on my first leg of my course which was to complete the PADI Open Water course. Having never properly dived before I felt slightly nervous about whether or not I had made the right choice by committing heavily to something I had realistically no knowledge of. Needless to say after the 1st dive I was hooked, from then on set about completing my courses with as much enthusiasm as I could throw at it. DJL gave different instructors to take me through my remaining courses: Advanced Open Water, Emergency First Responder (EFR) and my Rescue Diver Course. It was a good way for me to meet other members of the DJL team and also see the differences between the way in which the Instructors work. Within a few weeks I was ready to commence my Divemaster course.
The core of the course is aiding the instructors to teach people about the world of Scuba Diving. This involves helping set-up gear, demonstrate the correct way to perform skills and to be there to help if a particular skill is proving to be difficult to grasp. During my course I not only learned how to help teach new divers but was able to get a 1st person perspective of how a dive school is run. I was taught how to set up the dive boats, ensuring enough gear was available, entrusted with guests wishing to take up on our afternoon snorkel trips, mapping dive sites and much more.
After my two months I had successfully completed all the criteria necessary to become a fully qualified Divemaster. The ritual for which is the ever-infamous ‘Snorkel Test’, I however will leave it up to you to find out exactly what happens at these ‘tests’ not because I don’t want to tell you but my memory of the evening is somewhat hazy!!
My course was complete and I was considering moving on with my travels when I was offered a position as a Divemaster with DJL, naturally I accepted their generous offer, cancelled countless flights and found myself not only living but working in one of the most picturesque tropical environments I have ever seen and probably ever see.
Myself and a few other Divemasters who have had the opportunity to work here on Koh Tao with DJL are now currently preparing to take the next step-up to instructor which we start in June so my two months in paradise has now turned into six and it doesn’t look like I’ll be leaving for a few more months yet.

Felix Divemaster DJL