DG or DM Watermanship

[jar546]

I would like to know if there are any variations in the watermanship requirements for DiveGuide and DiveMaster between instructors. It does not appear as though the standards are very specific for watermanship in the DG, DM and Instructor categories as they are in the OW and Tech standards.

What do you as an instructor require for DG or DM under the SSI standards?

 

[jscott099]

Yes there are variations. The shop is allowed to determine what they feel is an acceptable water skills evaluations. For DiveCon they also may evaluate scuba skills as well. It has been a while, but I recall that our shop had a timed 800 yard swim (no gear) that was stringent enough that you had to know how to swim (one of the core strokes) and been in fit condition to meet the time requirement. Then there was a 1200 yard timed swim in snorkel gear. There was the water treading with hands in the air thing. Scuba skills has to be instructor quality. We had mandated equipment (brands the we sold) and assembly had to be instructor quality. There was also a timed assembly (under duress).

 

[Skooter]

There are specific requirements in the instructor manual for the watermanship evaluation. I have been to busy to place them here but will try to do it when I get a chance.

 

[jar546]

There are specific requirements in the instructor manual for the watermanship evaluation. I have been to busy to place them here but will try to do it when I get a chance.

No specifics for DG or DM in the manual. It appears as though it may be subjective to the individual instructors.

 

[Skooter]

Dive Guide Instructor manual page A1-1. The watermanship evaluation is based on a points system. The faster it is completed the more points the student earns. Students must have a minimum of 12 points to pass.
400 yard swim,1 to 5 points, complete in 8-14 minutes
15 minute water tread with last three minutes hands out of the water, 3 to 5 points
800 yard mask, fin, & snorkel, 1 to 5 points, complete in 14 to 20 minutes
50 yard underwater distance swim, 1 to 5 points

If you have the manual do your own research, if you just have a question then the above is the abbreviated version of the watermanship skills.

 

[Lead_carrier]

Looks like SSI is going to out PADI, PADI.

 

[Deep-Blue]

This is a list of skills to cover in the pool.

They are taken from the Open Water Diver course, and are considered basic diving skills. Dive Guide candidates may have a high level of comfort in the water and overall diving skill, but may require remedial work on the fundamentals to refine their technique. Work on mastering the basic diving skills so they are at demonstration quality.

A. Watermanship Evaluation & Physical Fitness. The overall goal is to evaluate the candidate’s comfort in the water and basic swimming ability. This helps determine endurance level more than how well they can swim. There are two parts to the evaluation.
1. 400 YARD SWIM — Swim 400 yards/366 metres on the surface, in open water while outfitted with a total diving system and breathing from a snorkel.

Possible scores —
Complete the swim in
under 8 minutes / 5 points,
under 10 minutes / 4 points,
under 12 minutes / 3 points,
under 14 minutes /2 points,
over 14 minutes / 1 point,
could not complete swim / 0 points.

2. 15 MINUTE WATER TREAD —
Tread water for 15 minutes using no aids or floats and dressed only in a swimsuit. During the final three minutes your hands, not arms, must be out of the water.
Possible scores —
Performed to standard / 5 points,
could not keep hands out of water for full 3 minutes / 3 points,
could not perform exercise / 0 points.

3. 800 YARD SWIM — Swim 800 yards/732 metres in confined water using a mask, fins and a snorkel and wearing only a swimsuit.
Possible scores —
Complete the swim in under 14 minutes / 5 points,
under 16 minutes / 4 points,
under 18 minutes / 3 points,
under 20 minutes /2 points,
over 20 minutes / 1 point,
could not perform exercise / 0 points.

4. 50 YARD DISTANCE DIVE —
Dive 50 yards/46 metres in confined water using a mask, fins and a snorkel and wearing only a swimsuit.
Possible scores —
Complete 50 yards distance / 5 points,
under 50 yards distance / 4 points,
under 40 yards distance / 3 points,
under 30 yards distance / 2 points,
under 20 yards distance / 1 point,
could not perform exercise / 0 points.
Candidate must reach a minimum of 12 points to pass this section.

B. Skills Review. Because Dive Guides must be so comfortable with their skill level that they do not have to think about performing skills when they are working with divers. Review all snorkeling skills listed below and work on improving any deficiencies.

1. Same Sequence as Evaluation Slate Backside
Candidate must perform each skill with an average score of 2 to pass this section.

C. Stress Control. Let candidates of the same size switch their Snorkeling and Buoyancy Control System under water while performing Buddy Breathing during the entire time. Dive Guides must be comfortable under water even in stressful situations. This exercise demands coordination and a fair overview over the situation.
Candidate must come up with the equipment changed to pass this section.

 

[jar546]

Thank you Deep-Blue

 

[Deep-Blue]

For the SSI Dive Guide to become a SSI DiveMaster they only need to complete "SOD" Science of Diving program, normally 3 - 4 days in the classroom after the home study is completed.

Diver Responsibility
The Science of Diving specialty kit includes a manual. All SSI Specialty programs are designed to be home study. The diver should read the manual and answer all of the section review questions. Answers should be transferred to the answer sheets in the back of the manual.

Then once finished and exams are passed they become a SSI Dive Master

 

[Deep-Blue]

Stay Tuned all new >> SSI Dive Control Specialist Course


Candidates will be taking a unique program that has stood the test of time. The unique benefits of SSI Training is the flexibility and integrated business methodology.

Dive Control Specialist (DCS). Divemaster + Dive Control Specialist equals Assistant Instructor. As a DCS you can teach lecture and pool classes with indirect supervision. By assisting an active SSI Instructor with open water training the DCS can collect valuable training experience which is the best possible preparation for an Instructor Training Course (ITC).

As a certified SSI Dive Control Specialist (DCS) you can:

* Lead and guide certified divers
* Assist SSI Instructors in the classroom, pool and open water
* Teach skills in the classroom and pool under indirect supervision of an SSI Instructor (except emergency skills)
* Teach the SSI Scuba Skills Update, Snorkeling and Try Scuba (pool only) programs

Certified and active Dive Control Specialists (DCSs) can upgrade to:

Training Specialist (TS). This rating allows them to conduct limited Specialty Course training for the following programs and issue certification independently:

Boat Diving • Altitude Diving • Equipment Techniques • Digital Underwater Photography / Underwater Videography • Computer Diving • Navigation • Perfect Buoyancy • Shark Diver / Fish ID • CPR / First Aid • O2 Provider / Advanced O2 • AED