12 replies to this topic

[konascubagirl]

Aloha!

I am getting ready to start my PADI Divemaster training. Any advice/sharing of experiences would be greatly appreciated! I will be doing this part-time...any idea how long it will take me?

Mahalo!

[Warthog]

I've been doing it less than 'part time' for nearly a year (an unfortunate side-effect of having too many irons in the fire right now).

A couple things I'd suggest:

1. Practice swimming with extra weight. I usually swim with few extra pounds in my BC pocket so I can give some weight to a student that is underweighted. If you are used to 'perfect bouyancy', adding the extra weight will be really annoying (or at least is was for me). It also comes in handy when somebody starts to runaway on ascent.

2. Don't get too hung-up on the 'horror stories' about the physics and/or physiology exams. Particularly for Physics, find the method that works best for you. Some instructors are set on teaching 'their way' (which, in their mind, is the best way...but that doesn't mean it's best for you). You'll understand what I mean when you get there

3. Remember the students are 'brand new'. You will see the same mistakes over and over again. I'm exceptionally experienced at this because I helped out w/classes on land long before I entered the DM program (and often served as the buddy for newly minted divers...read: dive five isn't much different than dive four for many ppl.). What I mean by that is don't get annoyed at how long it takes them to gear up, clear their ears, etc. Also, keep in mind, although you are perfectly used to the underwater environment, for some people, even after a couple dives, it's still a scary experience. Do you remember how 'deep' 30-60 ft. used to be?

4. Develop a 'swivel head'. I don't know where you'll be training at, but compared to some of the places we've been...Chicago Ohare airport has less traffic. Remember not only to keep an eye on what's going on around your students, but also above and below. I can't count the number of times I've had to pull a student out of the way of some moron swimming right in to the class.

Enjoy the training.

-Warthog

[cmt489]

I don't have any advice to give (many on this board will) but I can still wish you good luck on completeing your DM!!!

[Capn Jack]

Aloha!

Any advice/sharing of experiences would be greatly appreciated!  I will be doing this part-time...any idea how long it will take me?

Mahalo!

Great stuff, I just finished mine this month, 4 months after starting. I really enjoyed it - particularly the interning work - it's great to give back. Time seems to vary with folks I know - everything from 3 weeks to a year - but I think it would be hard to do if you have a day job in less than 4-6 weeks.

I think the philosophy is it's over when your instructor/mentor says it's over, so as one of our gubernatorial candidates said - "Enjoy the ride".

Everyone I've talked with, and the two others in my group had some discomforts or confidence lacks about one aspect or another, whether it's academics, demonstrating skills, watching over students, the swims, or the infamous gear exchange.

I think the best thing you can do is start swimming a lot, and get your speed and stamina up if you're not already a strong swimmer. It will not only move your score towards 20, it will also allow you to focus more on the task, and less on your body.

I would also recommend investing in a pair of tanks, that will allow you to get through a weekend of open-water training with a class without having to run off and get your tanks filled. Having a couple of tanks in your car/truck also lets you run out and dive on a moment's notice - like when an instructor calls and needs your help with a class.

If you want to discuss more, let me know. I'm also available to come to Hawaii if you need a cheering section, or other moral support.

Capn Jack

[MichaelF]

Well according to PADI standards, I think you only have 1 year to complete DM. My advice is don't sweat the watermanship skills, if you want to score 20, Start training, but 12 is all you need. No one will ask you what your score was. As far as the exams, practice with the wheel and the dive tables, everyone dives on computers these days, and forgets the basics, but they are on the exam. Take the exams 1 or 2 at a time, no need to take them all at once, and have you instructor give you the "practice exam", if he doesn't have one, I'll try to dig mine up (its been 3 years since I have taught DM) and I'll send you a copy.

Mike

[drbill]

Just started mine Monday. My instructor (and dive buddy) Karen surprised me by injecting DM skills into my rescue diver class so I'd already be on my way. She wants me to get the DM cert as does my LDS. I just want to be a marine biologist without the liability, but it could be fun to get involved with classes (I already do to a limited amount since many instructors here at the dive park ask me to help their students with marine biology questions).

Good luck on your course, konascubagirl.

[finGrabber]

I've been working on my DM for the last 4 or so months. I didn't start mine until I had over 100 dives. I wanted to be comfortable in the water and have alot of varied diving experience before I started. And, I'm still working with classes, so that just adds to my experience.

The biggest piece of advice I got was for the gear exchange. I conned WW into being my buddy! So, we started with each others gear on and switched into our own gear. We also got into the rythm of buddy breathing first, then we switched gear from the fins up.

And we had a Course Director, 3 Instructors and 3 or 4 divemasters watching us

[Capn Jack]

The biggest piece of advice I got was for the gear exchange. I conned WW into being my buddy! So, we started with each others gear on and switched into our own gear. We also got into the rythm of buddy breathing first, then we switched gear from the fins up.

Hmmm - our instructor was on to the "start with your buddy's gear on" trick - and had us do it twice - so the sequence was - all while buddy breathing
1. Swim 50 meters
2. Swap gear
3. Swim another 100 meters
4. Swap gear again
5. Swim another 50 meters.

No big deal, but I will pass along a couple of techniques. Establish a protocol before beginning - that one person will work on the task, and the other person will control the reg. That way you each only have to focus on one task, and not be concerned with the other. We found it really smoothed things out.

The other is to wear a weight belt instead of integrated weights - but keep a couple of pounds in your vest so it won't float away! You might as well start learning to dive over-weighted anyway.

Have fun, it's a great experience.

[MichaelF]

Everyone has good suggestions, particularly the "weight belt". I have integrated, and my buddy had a belt, as soon as I got my BCD to him I was on the surface.
Remeber the gear exchange is designed to "stress" you, you will probably NEVER really do this in a diving situation. There is no time limit, so relax, do 1 task at a time, and take a break from the equipment exchange, and just breathe, if you feel you are getting stressed.
I would suggest you get a "buddy" about the same size as yourself. I actually help a DM candidate, I am a pretty big guy, and she was a small Chinese girl. I let my students swap the gear without putting it on (just in their hands), and then swap back so you are actually putting your own gear back on in these situations, but some instructors don't. Ask before you do the exchange.

[REEF Diver]

I didn't start mine until I had over 100 dives.  I wanted to be comfortable in the water and have alot of varied diving experience before I started. 

So glad to hear someone else actually had some experience before starting DM, too many start when they have all of 10 dives in, which is way too soon as far as I'm concerned. I had close to 600 dives before I felt ready for DM.

I also echo what others have said about the gear exchange; start out with extra weight, and split it between a weight belt and in the BCD, makes it much easier.

In class, if you don't understand something, ask for help and insist it be taught. Utilize the other DMs/AIs/Instructors at your facility as well; most are more than willing to help you out (I had a friend and AI help me with the Wheel, and it made a world of difference).

Make sure you are comfortable with your own diving before you start out helping in classes. You should be able to put your own gear on unaided and should know automatically where your straps/buckles are, you shouldn't be fumbling. You have to be able to get in the water quickly if your help is needed (always be thinking Rescue here).

When leading dives, GO SLOW! It feels like you aren't moving at all, but with students you have to be very deliberate and remember they are fumbling with everything and everything feels foreign. I usually swim extremely slowly, doing 2 frog kicks, then look back, 2 more kicks and look the other side, etc.

Good luck in your adventure, and as others have said Enjoy the Ride!

-Valerie

[PerroneFord]

When leading dives, GO SLOW! It feels like you aren't moving at all, but with students you have to be very deliberate and remember they are fumbling with everything and everything feels foreign. I usually swim extremely slowly, doing 2 frog kicks, then look back, 2 more kicks and look the other side, etc.

-Valerie

One comment to make here.

I am a pretty new diver. I had an opportunity to dive last weekend with a fairly experienced diver. He was being cautious not to go "too fast" for us newbies. We were in a group of 3. In the dive debrief, I gave him a point I wanted to share here.

New divers are usually NOT 100% on their buoyancy and trim, and often cannot hover. Given that, they often fin quite a bit more than an experienced diver going super slow is actually quite a bit harder on a new diver because they are gaining the extra task of not overtaking their DM or buddy. Fortunately for me, my buoyancy was decent, and I was able to frog a bit and just glide, but I still had some trouble going as slow as he did.

Just a thought.

[drbill]

Remember the gear exchange is designed to "stress" you...

And they made us do it in OW class???? I don't remember if Was stressed back then, but it was a piece of cake the other day!

[sudsymark]

Watch what the instructor does but jump in and try to assist as soon as possible. The best way to learn is by doing. Practice makes permanent.