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Divemaster training


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79 replies to this topic

#1 chinacat46

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Posted 11 July 2004 - 07:49 AM

I'm considering becoming a divemaster. I want to increase my knowledge and I would like to eventually become an instructor. The one problem I have with it is I'm in Colorado and I'm not sure this is the best place to do it. I'd be doing this with PADI so I was wondering how many dives are actually required, what types of dives and about how long does it take to get the certification. I'd consider going to someplace like FL for a week if that was enough time. Any suggestions on places in FL would also be appreciated.

Thnx,
Chuck

#2 zendiver

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Posted 11 July 2004 - 07:56 AM

Chuck,

If I am not mistaken, you will need AOW, Stress Rescue (Search & Recovery for PADI) and 60 dives completed before the end of your DM course. It took me 8 weeks to get my DM certification, but this is all through SSI. I also took my AI (Assistant Instructors) certification through PADI and it took me about the same amount of time. If you are wanting to do it in FL, then I would suggest asking Walter or Marvel for a good shop recommendation, but I would check with your LDS or go online to PADI to get their requirements.

This is from the PADI website. Hope this helps Chuck:

Divemaster
Take the first step in your dive career and become a PADI Divemaster. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you'll expand your dive knowledge and hone your skills as you become a dive professional. PADI Divemaster training develops your leadership abilities by training you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers.

What can PADI Divemasters do?

Work at local dive centers, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations
Assist PADI Instructors with students
Lead PADI Scuba Divers on guided dive tours
Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers
Teach PADI Discover Snorkeling programs
Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
Lead certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences
Teach Emergency First Response programs after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course.

What do I need to start?

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or qualifying certification from another training organization
PADI Rescue Diver certification or qualifying certification from another training organization.
Medical clearance signed by a physician
20 logged dives
18 years old

What will I do?

Learn dive leadership through classroom and independent study sessions
Complete water skills and stamina exercises in confined and open water
Training exercises to test organizational and problem solving abilities
An internship or series of practical training exercises

How long will it take?

Two weeks - three months

What materials are needed?

Divemaster Training Package
Divemaster Video
Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
Diving Knowledge Workbook
PADI Instructor Manual
Log Book


-ZD
[color=blue]Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body;
But rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--"WOW--What a ride!"

#3 chinacat46

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Posted 11 July 2004 - 08:09 AM

Thnx ZD. I already have my Rescue cert and over 200 dives so I have that stuff taken care of. I was planing on talking to my LDS but they will want me to it with them and I'm not sure I want to it in CO. All but 2 of my dives have been in the ocean and since that is where I dive I figured I'd rather train in the ocean. Plus the lakes around here have the worst diving I've ever experienced. I mean awful. Of course it could have just been those two dives but the viz was 0.

#4 AliKat

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Posted 11 July 2004 - 12:56 PM

It is PADI rescue you will need, not search and recovery and PADI doesn't have a "stress rescue". I don't recommend trying to do it in a week anywhere. I suppose you could meet all of the "requirements", but seems kinda quick to me. I took my time (a year and half) and worked with a couple different instructors and assisted in a lot of OW classes. Not that you need take as long as I did, but I gained most of my knowledge and experience by working with all the OW classes and I think you'd miss that in a week.

Good luck

Ali
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#5 BradfordNC

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Posted 11 July 2004 - 01:11 PM

just curious, but what are the requirements AFTER certification as a divemaster.

they gloss up all the stuff about becoming a divemaster. but just how "glamorous" is it afterwards. being a professional rating, i'm sure their are insurance and liability issues, as well as some form of dues? and i always hear people talk of staying "current." how much of a hassle is it? if staying "current" is simply diving, no problems there.
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#6 kevininpo

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Posted 11 July 2004 - 05:13 PM

Like Ali, l took almost 7 months to complete the course. The LDS that l took it from had more stringent requirements than PADI required. l had to assist with a minimum of 2 complete OWD groups, including all class work, 1 AOW class, 1 rescue class, plus we had to perform demonstration quality skills of all the OW certification requirements. On top of that, we had to exhibit leadership qualities in and out of the water. Unlike other PADI certs, this was NOT a guaranteed pass. lt was a good time, and l'm glad they did it that way. The thing that was really fun was doing an underwater equipment exchange with another DM candidate....mask, snorkel, fins, BC, weights...everything. Don't try this in your spare time...we are trained professionals. To assist with classes, lead dives or teach the few things a DM can, professional insurance is required. PADI membership is also required as well, although l haven't seen anything about dues. Take your time and do the DM course so as you gain more than just the C-card...you will be responsible for peoples lives as well as having a huge influence on their first perceptions of diving.

Edited by kevininpo, 11 July 2004 - 05:18 PM.

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#7 TheSassyRabbit

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Posted 11 July 2004 - 08:13 PM

Chuck-

I second the sentiments about not rushing the course, as it is an important first step in the professional level program. You'd rather take your time and master all of the skills than rush it and risk a liability (namely someone else's life) later. There is something to be said for using a LDS, regardless of the conditions locally, because you can continue to use them for questions, mentoring, etc.. as you progress your diving skills (either professionally or as a "recreational professional" - an unofficial designation I use for people like me who get professional credentials but aren't in the diving business for a living).

Having said that though..... theoretically you could get it done in one really long week. The most time consuming part of the course when I took it was reading and preparing for the written exams (there were 8 or 9). If you can get the books in advance and be prepared for the written tests (which can be taken concurrently with the dive skill examinations), the dive skill demonstrations, swimming & floating tests, etc.. can be done in less than a week. The only other part of the DM course that might prolong the timeframe is the "internship" in which you must assist an instructor in open and closed water scenarios (however, if you time it right, you could do this part on a one weekend course that runs Fri- Sun and assist with the entire course for the credit). Just be sure to hook up with an organized shop and make sure that they can offer you an outline that meets your needs.

Good luck!
K

Edited by TheSassyRabbit, 11 July 2004 - 08:18 PM.


#8 chinacat46

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Posted 11 July 2004 - 08:58 PM

Thnx for the input I think I will take my time getting my DM. I'll talk with my LDS this week. The main guy there is a course director and they have an IDC staff instructor as well. I did my rescue training with them and he is a great instructor so it is probably a wise choice to go with them. :welcome:

#9 Diverbrian

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Posted 11 July 2004 - 11:16 PM

I did mine through SSI, but I recommend the LDS method vice a "crash course". It took eight or nine months for me to complete my DiveCon (Dive Control Specialist, for non-SSI types). I had to assist with at least two OW classes which turned into me living at the shop when I was not at work on top of course work and demonstration quality skills.

Basically, I lived at the shop for a few months assisting with four or five OW classes in the pool and had trouble getting a dive class to observe in OW (something about a referral program to warmer climates. It was good though. Personally, I am glad that I was forced to really learn my certification and I am a better dive pro for having been been pushed a bit then.
A person should be judged in this life not by the mistakes that they make nor by the number of them. Rather they are to be judged by their recovery from them.

#10 wreck_maniac

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Posted 12 July 2004 - 11:14 AM

I totally agree that the boot camps aren't the way to go. There's an instructor that works out of one of the LDSs here that did all of his training at one of the total package boot camp type places in Florida. I have helped out with some of his classes and by the end of class the students have been more interested in my input than the instructors...this isn't a gloat as to how wonderful I am, just that they weren't confident with the instructor.
~dale

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#11 triggerfish

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Posted 12 July 2004 - 12:32 PM

after watching you with our relative-newbie, i can see why they took a liking to you, sweetie! Posted Image

#12 BradfordNC

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Posted 12 July 2004 - 01:23 PM

...this isn't a gloat as to how wonderful I am...

you are the master, your kung fu is the greatest

please let us kneel in your shadow and worship your feet

oh great dale of the sea

oooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

:lmao: ;)
OK, lets make a deal. If you stop telling me how to dive, I'll stop going down to the bus station at 2am to slap d***s out of your mouth.

#13 triggerfish

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Posted 12 July 2004 - 04:45 PM

bradford, love, you are one sick mofo.

i love ya for that. :dance:

#14 chinacat46

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Posted 16 July 2004 - 07:24 PM

I did drop by my LDS this week and talked to them about the Divemaster class. It's basically go at your own speed. The cost is $400 plus materials which is also pretty reasonable and I know and respect the two main instructors so I think this is the right choice. Just wanted to say thanx to all for suggesting that it's worth the time to do it right(not to be confused with DIR). :wavey:

- Chuck

#15 domino22

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Posted 18 July 2004 - 01:18 PM

I am towards the end of my DM thru SDI. Did the last ow dive today. We did the class room stuff and pool work in Dec-Jan-Feb. Then I waited for the summer before I went into the local lakes in TX. It was alot more to it than I thought and I have put in alot of time and travel. I hope to be done by the fall. If I try to go to the instructer level I will do it out of the country. It has really taught me alot of things, and I look at other divers differently now.




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