DM or Master Diver????

[HammerNoMore]

Divemaster training does tach about supervision and assisting with training but I absolutely disagree that it teaches more about DIVING than any other course that he COULD take.

COULD being the operative word there. I agree there are classes that will teach you more about diving, such as fundies or some of the more technical minded classes. However, if you do DM via the internship, which most do you will spend a lot of time in the water, and that's the best way to learn. More importantly, you will learn to dive with a better awareness of what is going on around you.

The other big benefit is that you will likely work with a variety of instructors and glean valueable information and skills from them. Out of the water you learn a lot about the science of diving. Nothing you couldn't get from reading a book or two but some people are never going to read and study diving principles without a reason.

Lets face it, most of the inwater skills that must be practiced and demonstrated are just the OW skills. What's taught in DM training that makes you say it teaches more about diving?

No, you're right, a DM class doesn't really "teach" you inwater skills so much as get you in the water.

I guess it depends what instructor you are assisting.

Nothing could be more true, as with any course.

James

 

[BarryNL]

The Master Diver is the highest you can go before getting into leadership and has to be done before DM. Well this is the case with Naui, not sure about Padi but would think its the same.

Master Diver is certainly not the highest you can go - I was semi-serious that the Tec Deep course is the next in the progression. Even if you don't want to do tec diving some form of tec training (whether DSAT, TDI, GUE, IANTD or whatever) will have you re-evaluate every aspect of your diving from the ground up (or surface down?). It will do more than either DM or MD to make you a safer and more competent diver.

It will also empty your bank account faster than a string of bad divorces

 

[herman]

Interesting. I've taken a LOT of classes. Sadly, I did buy a master scuba diver card but I also did the DM, instructor and many other classes. Divemaster training does tach about supervision and assisting with training but I absolutely disagree that it teaches more about DIVING than any other course that he COULD take. Lets face it, most of the inwater skills that must be practiced and demonstrated are just the OW skills. What's taught in DM training that makes you say it teaches more about diving?

All that said, the choice depends on what you want. If one just wants to improve their diving there are many other options. If you want to get involved with supervising or assisting with training that's something else. I don't understand the concept of working for free unless it's for your church or other charity but do what you want. I'm all for giving but I don't consider my local dive shop a worthwhile cause. If I work for them, they'll have to pay me a reasnable wage. I don't count free diving when I'm working as pay because I can afford to dive whithout having to work.

Assisting in taining can be great fun or it can be a real honest to goodness nightmare. I had to perform my first four or five real rescues as a DM candidate and none was any fun. I guess it depends what instructor you are assisting.

I totally agree with you Mike. Having just completed my DM I don't know if I will do much if any work for the LDS. I have a thing about working for free and at the price of gas these days; it may come closer to paying to work. I am glad I did it for my own satisfaction but other than some of the academics, I did not really pick up that much. As for actual diving skills, I did not gain anything. Matter of fact I may have actually acquired bad habits than I will have to break. Presentation skills are a lot different than the actual way it's done in the real world. I found myself doing demo type mask clearing on a dive the other week.

 

[TheRedHead]

I found myself doing demo type mask clearing on a dive the other week.

What's the diffference, assuming you didn't dive down to the bottom and kneel?

 

[ClayJar]

I've heard people say (often) that the PADI master diver is just a card you buy after you've done # specialty classes, but the NAUI Master Scuba Diver course I'm finishing Monday (and having a checkout dive the 18th through 20th) was quite academic, indeed. The NAUI MSD test *is* the academic entry requirement to the NAUI leadership courses, after all.

As for myself, I'm wrestling with whether I'm going to go for divemaster next year. I've really enjoyed the opportunities I've had to lead dives with my diving friends. (Most of them are effectively very green divers, so I've done everything from working with them on their gearing up, to giving a dive briefing, to being an in-water dive monitor, etc.) I've been told I have a teacher's/tutor's mentality, and I would have to agree. That said, I can write off the cost of DM training, but justifying the continuing costs of insurance and dues required to be a NAUI DM is a bit of a catch for me.

I guess I really ought to talk with my LDS to see whether I could "get enough" out of being a DM to justify the costs... (See, I'm answering my own questions, even.)

Okay, tell me what, if my significant buddy extends her English-teaching contract from 2007 to 2008, I'll just have to do DM.

 

[Trixxie]

I'm fighting with that answer. I live in Atlanta, GA. Not much good diving around here. I have an good contact in West Palm Beach. Family is a major factor. I want best for all

D/M will take ALOT of your time for 2 - 3 months depending on how much time you can commit to the program. I began in June and should be done early Sept at the latest. I have heard of people taking longer to complete the class, like 6 months? That is way too long for me.

You're right as far as diving around the ATL area is concerned, kinda sucks. We are headed up to Lake Jocasse next weekend. That is about a 2 1/2 hr drive from ATL. The Quarries in AL are ok, but nothing beats the Ocean IMHO.

I have learned SO much in the D/M class that I would do it again. It is also fun working with the O/W students and seeing them complete their class. Master diver to me just says "specialty courses"....

 

[TheRedHead]

(whether DSAT, TDI, GUE, IANTD or whatever) will have you re-evaluate every aspect of your diving from the ground up (or surface down?). It will do more than either DM or MD to make you a safer and more competent diver.

I would have to agree that it takes your diving to a different level and it is very different from working with students and new divers. You spend most of your time diving with extremely skilled divers.

 

[herman]

What's the diffference, assuming you didn't dive down to the bottom and kneel?

Quite a lot actually, if you do it at a demonstration quality level. My DM instructor insisted on a instructor level demos from his DMC's.
Basically you do it very slow, showy, broken down in to basic steps and everything is exaggerated unlike the real word where it's a fast smooth motion.

 

[Cudabait]

Nothing in your profile.......sounds like you're pretty busy with the family. Been there. I'd do the MSD, dive & then dive some more. Expand your breadth of diving experience. Maybe find that certain area of diving that is your thing. I think you'll know when it is time to turn pro. Enjoy the diving!!

Regards,

 

[7milehi]

I had a lawyer diver say becoming a DM with a moderate or greater net worth was an invitation to a lawsuit if an accident happened on your dive. He said if you were in the group and you were not even acting as a DM and something happens you will likely be sued if it appears you have some $$$.

I was told this about 10 years ago so things may have changed since then. Any lawyers want to chime in ?