Dive Master Requirements

[tc_rain]

What are the requirements for dive master? The PADI website is not very clear. As far as I can tell, you need (of course) open water, advance open water, and rescue diver. Is that all? It states a prerequisite of 20 logged dives and then 60 are needed for certification. Are there any additional specialty courses you need to take or are the only required ones, the ones you earned in advance O/W?

 

[mheaster]

Prerequisites: (To begin DM Course)
PADI Rescue Diver certification or qualifying certification from another organization
20 logged dives

Extensive Classroom/Knowledge and tests (7 exams if memory serves em?) on Dive Theory, Dive Physics and Dive Physiology (Will involve a lot of outside of class reading and studying!)

Complete a series of waterskills and stamina exercises in confined and open water environments.

20 minute float (last two minutes with hands out of water)
Swim (no wetsuit or fins or mask) 400 yards/meters?
Snorkel 800 yards/meters
Demonstrate a rescue scenario ( to demonstrate your retention of Rescue Course info rmation)


Three required training exercises that test organizational and problem solving abilities.
Mapping a dive site, including underwater and surface features
Equipment exchange: demonstrate the ability to solve unanticipated problems underwater
Conduct a simulated or actual class, under the supervision of a PADI Instructor
Internship or Practical Training Exercises (choose one)

Internship: hands-on experience supervising and assisting divers in actual PADI programs, under the guidance of a PADI Instructor

Practical Training Exercises: simulated scenarios in supervising and assisting divers, under the supervision of a PADI Instructor

Must have a minimum of 60 logged dives to complete the PADI Divemaster course.

Hope this helps! I completed mine last year. If you have additional questions let me know!

 

[Bubble Junky]

It's eight exams, and only 15 min tread water. You also need to have first aid/CPR within two years.

 

[tc_rain]

Thanks, I was curious due to an encounter I had over the weekend.
I went diving with a friend that was getting his advance O/W. I ended up going on a couple of dives throughout the day with his dive masters and he was doing his surface intervals with an instructor. I have to say I was very unimpressed by the dive masters abilities. I noticed a couple of them used their arms to swim almost as much as they used their legs. In addition, one of them had not mastered buoyancy. After touching the bottom several times and silting up the area, he ended up hanging onto a buoy line to watch some open water students on a platform perform their skills. After watching them, I no longer feel like a novice.

They may have the book work down but their skills need some work. I guess this is proof that some instructors are in it just for the money.

 

[Thalassamania]

I guess this is proof that some instructors are in it just for the money.

But there's no money in it. So some instructors are in it just for the ... ?

 

[amascuba]

They may have the book work down but their skills need some work. I guess this is proof that some instructors are in it just for the money.

That's an oxymoron if I've ever heard one. I don't think I've ever heard the words instructor and money in the same sentance.

I agree with you though. If a dive master hasn't mastered finning techniques, buoyancy skills, fundamental skills, and leadership skills then they have no business being a dive master.

 

[CAPNVINNY]

AND all the water skills are timed and awarded points, need a set number of points to pass

 

[MissyP]

Extensive Classroom/Knowledge and tests (7 exams if memory serves em?) on Dive Theory, Dive Physics and Dive Physiology (Will involve a lot of outside of class reading and studying!)

Must have a minimum of 60 logged dives to complete the PADI Divemaster course.

ewww ... that's a bad word "physics"... I just completed my DM class a couple of weeks ago.. It was fun, challenging, and time consuming...

There's 8 written tests, the 15 min tread, 800 meter snorkel (w/mask & fins), 400 meter swim (use swim goggles!), the 100 meter diver tow (they're all timed events), the mapping project, rescue assessment, mastery of the 20 skills (demonstration quality), gear exchange underwater while buddy breathing, open & confined water "internships", 9 knowledge reviews, a workbook, etc... in other words, you'll be doing lots of reading & writing Start reading the books ahead of time to get a jump start on the class..
Don't forget divemaster insurance afterwards...
Good luck & enjoy...

 

[tc_rain]

But there's no money in it. So some instructors are in it just for the ... ?

In order to become a dive master, a student pays an instructor to teach him. I believe in some cases (this case), the instructor just wanted to take the students money and provide the student with the bare minimum of instruction. He did not want to spend extra time working and honing the skills needed. He got his money and was happy. After all, more time spent is money lost. That is what I meant. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[gangrel441]

In order to become a dive master, a student pays an instructor to teach him. I believe in some cases (this case), the instructor just wanted to take the students money and provide the student with the bare minimum of instruction. He did not want to spend extra time working and honing the skills needed. He got his money and was happy. After all, more time spent is money lost. That is what I meant. Sorry for the confusion.

I am currently a DIT (Divemaster In Training) with a local dive club, and am doing DM as an internship. I will have you know the instruction is costing me $0 except for course materials, and the instructors are excellent, including a public safety diver trainer. Believe me, they are putting me through the wringer every chance they get.

I agree that there are some bad DMs out there, but there are good ones as well. I would appreciate it if you would watch it with the generalizations there...