How many DiveMasters?

[MXGratefulDiver]

Another point i'll make, which i don't believe is trolling. Is there REALLY any need for a DM cert. Other agencies see no point for it, if you want to become a instructor, you shadow other instructors then do an instructor exam at the end of it, simple enough. Again, it just seems a way of making money off people who want to further their training. Very good points though Bob.

Other agencies do have a DM cert, although it may be called something different ... or represent a somewhat different level.

NAUI's DM is a step above assistant instructor, for example ... the reverse is true with PADI.

SSI's DM is called Dive Con, but is essentially the same rating as the PADI DM.

YMCA also has a Divemaster rating, which I believe is equivalent to PADI's DM.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Druid]

Another point i'll make, which i don't believe is trolling. Is there REALLY any need for a DM cert. Other agencies see no point for it, if you want to become a instructor, you shadow other instructors then do an instructor exam at the end of it, simple enough. Again, it just seems a way of making money off people who want to further their training. Very good points though Bob.

Other agencies do have a DM cert, although it may be called something different ... or represent a somewhat different level.

NAUI's DM is a step above assistant instructor, for example ... the reverse is true with PADI.

SSI's DM is called Dive Con, but is essentially the same rating as the PADI DM.

YMCA also has a Divemaster rating, which I believe is equivalent to PADI's DM.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

And BSAC have Dive Leader, which is also equivalent to PADI DM. It is also required before you can become a BSAC instructor.

 

[j yaeger]

i thought i was wrong....
i was wrong...
nice input everyone!!!

 

[pwl]

Unfortuantly people regularly do DM, because they see it as the next step from rescue diver, which unfortuantly PADI have deemed it to be (i know they dont claim this, they just don't offer anything else)

there's "master diver", which is all about doing lots of specialties.

there's also no stricture on just taking one agency's route - the dive shop i deal with has both PADI and TDI courses, so it's pretty easy for their customers to "go technical" with essentially the same group of people. the agency really doesn't matter to most of the people regularly associated with the centre.

ob. relevant: i DM cos that's the sort of person i am anyway. the store i deal with gives me lots of freebies (boat rides, air, service, gear discounts), which is the payback for helping them out with newbies.