How many DiveMasters?

[Tomeck]

About a million.

About a million each year, I don't believe, but I believe a million since 1967.

 

[Garrobo]

Tomeck:: Just joking Dude.

 

[Hank49]

About a million each year, I don't believe, but I believe a million since 1967.

My mom always told me I was one in a million.....(couldn't resist)

 

[khblair]

PADI Divemaster here - love it!

 

[fuzzycoconuts]

I got mine this year too. I really like helping out with the new divers, and doing the behind the scenes work. Diving as much as I did got me really comfortable donning my gear in seconds while observing the other folks.....
I always slept well on the nights I dove.

 

[verybaddiver]

DM qualification is lame. i doubt half the DM could handle their own problems, if the **** hit the fan, let alone someone else!!

 

[Walter]

I wonder how many divers become DiveMasters each year?

Too many.

 

[Colliam7]

I wonder how many divers become DiveMasters each year?

Tough question to answer, with multiple agencies, and regions issuing DM certificiations. But, as one small piece of quantitative information, here is an estimate for PADI Americas. The DM numbers that are issued are sequential. Based on the certificiate number interval between two DMs in our shop getting their credentials (one on 15 May 2005 and the second on 15 November 2006 (18 months) approximately 36K DMs were certified during the period, or 2K each month, or 24K each year. Again, just one agency (although probably the most prolific in trhe Americas) and one region. As for a qualitative answer, Walter has offered an opinion, and he is not infrequently accurate in his assessments.

 

[Ice9]

DM qualification is lame. i doubt half the DM could handle their own problems, if the **** hit the fan, let alone someone else!!

I sense much anger in you.

 

[MSilvia]

I get a lot of solicitations about getting DM certified, but I'm not interested in persuing a "leadership path" right now, as I have no particular desire to take responsibility for anyone other than myself and my buddy. I've found plenty of ways to continue my training past PADI Rescue without "going pro", and have no plans to do so unless maybe I find myself wanting to lead a dive program for scouts or something like that in the future. For now though, I don't have kids, my wife and several good friends are certified, and I frankly don't see much advantage in going for training that will introduce additional annual costs, liability risks, LDS gear requirements, and so forth into my diving. I'm content to dive for fun, and have sought out training that has increased my capabilities, rather than my responsibilities.