Divemaster programs ?

[TwoTanks]

In my experience a DM class takes a good 50-60 hours on the part of the candidate (not including studying). Doing it in a month would amount to at least 2h/day commitment. Unless the candidate is in a scuba boot camp, he/she would find it hard to keep up, I would imagine.

Speaking of boot camps, Cap, I've been told that these days one can get from zero to instructor in 4-6 weeks at a price in some dive institutes in Florida. The most well-known is Hall's (http://www.hallsdiving.com/career2/programs.htm ). I find it hard to imagine how would they put in 100+ dives in 30 days and even make you a specialty instructor...

I've never heard of any other self-respecting sport in which one could become a licensed instructor in less than a year! You can tell, I disagree with the "fast lane" philosophy. However I know a lot of industry people, who think it's progressive... ay ay ay

How comfortable would you be, if your instructor told you he had been diving for a month ?!?

If someone is working and trying to do a divemaster class nights and weekends then I don't believe that most people who want to be divemasters, can learn and absorb all the information and skills they study in one month.

A divemaster is someone that is responsible for the safety (Lives) of other divers. I certainly would not want to put one of my childrens safety in the hands of a divemaster (or for that matter Instructor) who took a crash course in how to teach and supervise students.

Remember task loading? trying to watch students swimming in all directions, watch for problems and stupid behavior, trying to look professional and demonstrate skills all at the same time.

I hope that rescues are practiced a lot at least, If a DM screws up anything else he may need that skill.

TT

 

[PK]

I hope I am posting in the right area but here is what I am loking for and up to now not quite finding.

I want to give my girlfriend a Divemaster course (she is rescue at this point) for a gift...don't even ask what kind of trouble I am trying to get myself out of ;-)

In anycase the ones I am seeing all seem to be pool oriented and I would like her to be able to experience NE Diving. Now I am a bit of a newbie but assume given the time of year this has to be all drysuit diving so I would need to make arrangements for gear usage as well.

I would love her to be able to start pretty soon and she is available weekdays.

Does this exist up here or am i just whistling dixie ?

Hey Robrob,

I'm doing my divemaster course early this spring through PG Dive. You might want to check them out.

 

[pgdive]

No offense Oceancurrent but you have been an instructor for less than a year and you have never taught a DM class. So I’m not sure where the "in my experience" is coming from. Sorry, you brought that on yourself when you called out minigirl.

The only reason that DM classes are usually stretched out for months upon months is that the shop/instructor teaching them is unorganized or the students are not motivated.

A well-prepared student who is comfortable in the water and does the required pre-study can finish in month. Like minigirl said there are some students who don’t have time to complete the internship or are unprepared that may take a bit longer.

Just because a class is eight months long does not necessarily indicate it is any more thorough. My original class started in January and didn’t end until May and is was a cluster, by the end the class was so fragmented because everybody was at different levels of completion. Some people never even finished because it had gone on so long that other comitments came up.

It’s all about standards. There are pool requirements, open water requirements, written tests and required lectures. If these standards are met then that’s all that matters.

Paul

 

[Boston Diver Services]

Again I recommend Boston harbor Dive Co. because the lessons are one on one. There is no keeping up with the class, you are the class.

 

[oceancurrent]

Cheap, Paul, cheap! :froggy:

- I have been diving for 6 years (mostly New England)
- I have been an active divemaster for 3 years with a variety of instructors
- I earned my instructor's badge in May 04 with a perfect score :2ar15smil

It's a short career in comparison to the veterans with 20+ years of experience, but I am not ashamed at all! Everybody has to start from somewhere. I am glad that I have a long career ahead of me and am striving for constant improvement and perfection in everything I do.

I still maintain that I am fairly familiar with the structure of the divemaster course. Not only have I been through it and assisted a few DM courses, but also, I am presently involved in one. I also have friends who have taken various DM course flavors, so I have other bases of comparison. I’ve never said that I am an expert DM trainer however!

With all due respect, PADI recommends 50 h for the DM class (not including home study and internships). In all honesty, I can’t see how a working person would manage to put in so many hours in a month. Unless, of course, you are a dive store employee or have obscene amounts of free time...

Anyways, let’s leave it here, since it has never been my intention to take on anybody or establish/defend credibility. :boxing_sm You know that I am a supporter of your store and have utmost respect for Jane. I do recommend your DM course over others, with the note that normal people should expect to spend more than a month and that dive experience goes a long way!

No offense!

NJS

 

[DiveAngry]

Wow!!!!

Now the insults are flying.....

See what you started Robrob.....









------
DiveAngry!!

 

[oceancurrent]

Insults? What insults?

 

[pgdive]

No insults, Nik and I know each other. Where good.

All I'm trying to get across is that the DM program like all of the PADI courses is performance based. If you’re prepared and comfortable in the water then the program goes quickly. Just because the norm in this area is four+ month long courses that meet once a week, does not necessarily make this the best course scedule.

We will work with anybody for as longs as it take for them to feel comfortable with the material.

Paul

 

[ScubaNorth]

I have not been diving long but I believe you can be properly trained in a short period. I have dove with very experienced divers with only an Open Water Cert who have been the best teachers. I have also dove with DM's with very little experience (comparatively) who are technically excellent divers. There is something to be said for both. I don't think there is a right and wrong, just what is best for the individual.