DM Course change questions

[YoDadio]

For a number of reasons I cannot take the Dive Master (DM) course this fall. I am toying with the idea of buying the latest DM crew pack and self-studying at a leisurely pace until the fall of 2012. I do plan on talking to my LDS before spending the money, but I am curious about the general consensus regarding the use of potentially “out dated” materials. I understand that the DM test/course has recently changed. How often do such changes take place? If the course changes again in 2012 and I have “old” materials (particularly the sticker, which I understand is simply a gimmick to force each student to buy their own materials, not exactly environmentally friendly of PADI) will I be allowed to take the course? If so, will the likely changes be insurmountable or merely minor in nature? Obviously there are PADI Nazi/slackers for instructors and past performance is no guarantee of future performance, but I am simply looking for the input of someone that is not trying to sell me something…

 

[divermike1011]

I would look for a used copy of PADI's Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving (check E-bay or Amazon). I would also purchase a copy of Mark Powell's Deco for Divers and Steve Lewis's The Six Skills. All three of these books will give you a solid foundation in dive theory and the fundamental skills needed to be a good diver. You can also look at some of the more general titles that Jarod Jabowski wrote for GUE. If you have to take a gap between signing up and then taking the PADI DM course I would not purchase the materials until I was ready to start. You can still use the time to learn more about diving and dive theory and then you haven't laid out several hundred dollars for a course you haven't locked in yet. Hope this helps.

Michael

 

[Selchie in LB]

YoDadio - The materials mentioned above are great sources of information for diving. I have those in my diving library. For the PADI DM course you get a copy of the encyclopedia in the package which has the majority of information that PADI focuses on for the DM exams. The information you will find throughout that book is chemistry, physics and physiology of diving. You must know that information in detail. The DM manual from PADI was edited with changes to organization of the material. More emphasis seems to be placed on AWARE and being ambassadors for the oceans. I can not speak to how often PADI updates or edits their materials, but the biggest changes seem to be on reducing the emphasis on the PADI dive tables. You have probably already experienced most divers now have computers as standard gear. Good Luck in your pursuits.

 

[on_two_wheels]

In my opinion, if you study the current DM manual and become well educated to answer the review question and quick quizzes in each chapter, you'll be prepared to pass a DM exam....especially the new version. If it changes, whomever you take the course through should be able to identify those changes leaving the rest of the material relevant. Focus as much as you can on the encyclopedia (dry as some of it is). If you're taking that long, by then you'll ace it!!

 

[knotical]

The recent change to the PADI DM course was significant, and I cannot imagine them expending that kind of effort again any time soon.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I agree with knotical. I would also say that the best way to do the DM course is to get into it and give it priority until done. Many people are "in the program" a year or more. Others go to DM boot camps and knock out the course in 2 weeks. Through a local dive shop, that has regular certification classes you can participate in for the required internships, you should target 4 months tops from start to finish.
DivemasterDennis scubasnobs.com

 

[endurodog]

The one book that you will not regret reading and will take lots of time to really get through is The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving and is required in the new DM program anyway. Lots of great info in there. I just finished the course and it took me 3.5 months so plan on a significant investment of time.

 

[samtihen]

I really doubt that the course would change anytime soon. That said, the concepts and information don't seem to have changed much, from what I can tell most of the change is in the way the tests are taken.

 

[Simon-]

For a number of reasons I cannot take the Dive Master (DM) course this fall. I am toying with the idea of buying the latest DM crew pack and self-studying at a leisurely pace until the fall of 2012. I do plan on talking to my LDS before spending the money, but I am curious about the general consensus regarding the use of potentially “out dated” materials. I understand that the DM test/course has recently changed. How often do such changes take place? If the course changes again in 2012 and I have “old” materials (particularly the sticker, which I understand is simply a gimmick to force each student to buy their own materials, not exactly environmentally friendly of PADI) will I be allowed to take the course? If so, will the likely changes be insurmountable or merely minor in nature? Obviously there are PADI Nazi/slackers for instructors and past performance is no guarantee of future performance, but I am simply looking for the input of someone that is not trying to sell me something…

How is it a gimmick? It is ensuring that each DM candidate has their own literature. Reproduction by copying is a breach of copywright.

Try turning up with copied material for your DM, AI, IDC, IDCS or CD courses. See how far you get.

Personally, if a person isn't willing to invest in their own professional development, I wouldn't be prepared to invest time in teaching them.

 

[Rogersea]

The update to the course was significant, and wont be changed with the exception of minor corrections for a while. when you purchase your DM Kit your sticker wont expire within a year, just make sure the materials in your pack are all current when you purchase it. I am a big fan of purchasing via a LDS but you can purchase the same item from some of the on-line resellers..
For example Divers Supply, again just be careful that you are ordering current materials.

As far as your statement about the sticker being a gimmick, PADI Mandates all student have their own personal copies of all required materials for all the core courses. If you are thinking about taking the PADI DM course and possibly going further you will need to embrace this concept .

Good luck with your course in 2012!