DM Training Recommendation

[Cabub]

I am looking for a dive center (preferably a CDC) to begin my Divemaster course and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good dive center in Florida. I am looking for a course that is comprehensive in nature and requires at minimum two weeks with the ability to stay longer should I choose to learn more and to better prepare me for my IDC. Any suggestinons/recommendations would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

Just wondering before I start nameing of names:
How long do you plan on training?
How long do you think it is going to take?
Have you been working on this already?
Why Florida???
What kind of diving are you going to be doing???

Most DM's are very well rounded they still are best at the type of diving they do. There are a thousand shops here in FL and all vary in the type of diving you do... As far as the IDC I cant say much for "CDC" but that is most likely going to take time to develope your leadership skills. Again why Florida????

 

[RJP]

I am looking for a course that is comprehensive in nature and requires at minimum two weeks with the ability to stay longer should I choose to learn more and to better prepare me for my IDC.

You might consider setting the bar a bit higher, lest you risk tripping over it.

:shocked2:

 

[DevonDiver]

You might consider setting the bar a bit higher, lest you risk tripping over it.

+1

Comprehensive and 2-weeks don't go in the same sentence when it comes to decent DM training...

 

[mselenaous]

First, I recommend increasing your dive experiences not just in time underwater but in varied environments. Although you may meet the minimum requirements, the more you bring to the table, the more enriched and fulfilling your training will be for you.

To answer the OP's question:
1-In Key Largo, contact Tom Whitmer, CD at Horizon Divers and Pam Bradley, CD at Rainbow Reef. Both are great trainers and provide you the opportunity to intern in daily dive ops.

Florida IDC Instructor Key Largo PADI Instructor Development Center
PADI IDC Professional Scuba Instructor Development and Career Center; IDC:scuba diving, Florida keys, Key Largo, diving school, islamoraa

2-In Vero Beach, Phillipe and Diane at EASE are each awesome. All the training and accommodations under one roof, EASE House.
PADI IDC, IDC Florida, PADI IDC Florida, PADI Instructor course, CDC, Career Development Center, meals and accommodation included, Advanced Open Water, rescue Diver, Divemaster, OWSI, MSDT, Gas Blender Instructor, tec Deep Instructor, tec trimix Inst

I'm sure others will chime in with more recommendations. Just my 2psi

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

+1

Comprehensive and 2-weeks don't go in the same sentence when it comes to decent DM training...

Thats what I was thinking and why I asked those questions about how long you think it will take. I now susspect this thread is a joke. I mean if your DM ready then you know what it takes to be a DM and would not ask such a hollow question.

 

[DevonDiver]

Thats what I was thinking and why I asked those questions about how long you think it will take. I now susspect this thread is a joke. I mean if your DM ready then you know what it takes to be a DM and would not ask such a hollow question.

I can see why the guy might have low expectations... there's more than a few dive centres that push these low-end, super-short DM courses as if they were standard.

 

[The Chairman]

6 responses and only ONE answers the question. How sad!!! I apologize Cabub! It's unfortunate that a few seem to have to second guess each and every question with negative suppositions.

Dive training is a personal decision. From Open Water all the way to Dive Master, Technical or even instructor, you should make a self assessment of your skills, desires and attitude. Talking with the facility and even the instructor you are considering will give you the insight if the course is right for you.

I would wager that none of the posters posting you that you don't have enough experience have met you, talked with you or even seen you dive. It's easy to make assumptions that no one is worthy when they sit anonymously behind a keyboard.

Mselenaous has posted some good places to get a great start. You can also find some great independent instructors in the Florida area, but they (like myself) cost significantly more for one on one training. If you are looking to go straight into your IDC, that may not be a bad idea.

Other places to contact:

• Dayo Scuba (Orlando Area)
• Captain Slate's Atlantis Dive Center (Key Largo)

If you have an answer to Cabub's question, please chime in. If you want to debate the merits of various methods of getting your Dive Master, go start another thread. Thanks.

Discussion about appropriate answers started HERE!!!

 

[openmindOW]

I think Horizon Divers in Key Largo is good. Andy is a particularly good Instructor there, as is Dan.

Cabub, I agree with the issues raised by the other posters.

How much dive experience do you have? We all had to begin somewhere. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a newbie, but I ask to get an idea of how much training you already have.

How long have you been diving?

Have you taken rescue? If so, when?

What specialties have you taken?

Do you know what agency you'd like to train with?

Feel free to PM me if you prefer chatting in a more private setting.

Good luck.

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

6 responses and only ONE answers the question. How sad!!! I apologize Cabub! It's unfortunate that a few seem to have to second guess each and every question with negative suppositions.

Dive training is a personal decision. From Open Water all the way to Dive Master, Technical or even instructor, you should make a self assessment of your skills, desires and attitude. Talking with the facility and even the instructor you are considering will give you the insight if the course is right for you.

I would wager that none of the posters posting you that you don't have enough experience have met you, talked with you or even seen you dive. It's easy to make assumptions that no one is worthy when they sit anonymously behind a keyboard.
Mselenaous has posted some good places to get a great start. You can also find some great independent instructors in the Florida area, but they (like myself) cost significantly more for one on one training. If you are looking to go straight into your IDC, that may not be a bad idea.

Other places to contact:

• Dayo Scuba (Orlando Area)
• Captain Slate's Atlantis Dive Center (Key Largo)

If you have an answer to Cabub's question, please chime in. If you want to debate the merits of various methods of getting your Dive Master, go start another thread. Thanks.

Discussion about appropriate answers started HERE!!!

Have you dived with the op? What says their assumptions arn't true? not saying they are or are not but... From looking at the op's profile the number of dives does seem to give me pause, as a DM or instructor one is supposed to have sufficient experience at least in my opinion, other than the number of dives what else do we have to go on. Perhaps not the op's question but certainly not unexpected responses.