How many specialties for PADI DM?

[Pullmyfinger]

I am posting this based on some posts in the Master Diver thread:

How many specialties do I have to take in order to be able to pay for my DM Card.

I can take a series of specialties that represent a significant amount of time with instructors while taking these specialties, and can then submit payment for a 'Master Diver" card.
These specialties do not have to actually relate to what most would think represents a "Master" diver level. The idea is that a wide variety of specialties will eventually be applicable to achieving this rating.

I am curious about how many specialties I would have to take in order to send in payment for a Dive Master certification.

If I cannot do this, then why not?

This approach is so often defended and justified as being adequate for the achieving the Master Diver Challenge. Since this model for progression is often held up as an example of an ideal way to progress to the Master level.

Then shouldn't I also be able to utilize the same approach to learning and advancement in pursuit of the Dive Master challenge?

If advancement to the Master level is accomplished by taking a series of specialties.......then how many specialties do I need to take in order to advance to the Dive Master level?
Or does the argument flip back to endorsing a specific course for achieving that higher level?

I am very curious if I can do this? if not, then why not?
This model has already been endorsed (heavily) by many here....so can I progress to DM this way?


Cheers,
Mitch

 

[DevonDiver]

Heck, just pay your cash for the DM... no specialties needed. Plenty of places are happy to process your credit card and call it a 'zero-to-hero' course.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I hear ya!

 

[boulderjohn]

I am not sure why you decided to go trolling, but before this inane thread is deleted for that reason, I will post something that will give readers something to think about in the interim.

First of all, the OP has been around the block, and he knows what he is saying is absurd. It is therefore a troll.

The serious information: The DM course is different from all specialties. It is designed to teach skills that are not remotely related to any of the specialties.

As the OP well knows.

 

[chrpai]

The day someone offers to pay my professional dues and liability insurance, give me free boat rides and free fills and keyman pricing on equipment is the day that I'll consider "progressing" to the DM level. Absent this, you're not really a professional, you're still a customer.

Until then I carry a nitrox card and a solo diver card and I might acknowledge that I've taken rescue diver if you ask me directly.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Not a troll at all John,

I've been around here long enough to demonstrate otherwise.
As I prefaced my post.....I decided to ask this question BECAUSE the same argument get offered in defense of the MSD rating.

I mentioned it in that thread, and decided to ask it in a new thread.

Actually...that building block approach of multiple specialties is very frequently brought up as the evolved way to learn. That view is also offered up in defense of the PADI approach to MSD as well as the taking of multiple specialties.

Just because you disagree, with this thread and don't want to answer it.....you don't have to play the troll card and call out for the deleting of the thread.

Although...I am aware that some threads and questions do suffer from mysterious disappearances.

I am not all that surprised that you are calling out for it to be deleted.

So you are of the belief that specialties should be related to the card that is awarded?

Go ahead and utilize the report post feature.....since you disagree with it....it will happen.
You have the stroke here to make that happen, I am sure.

It was a valid question...I was drawing the obvious parallel to MSD.
Call it a troll post all you want....you know better.

Cheers,
Mitch

I am not sure why you decided to go trolling, but before this inane thread is deleted for that reason, I will post something that will give readers something to think about in the interim.

First of all, the OP has been around the block, and he knows what he is saying is absurd. It is therefore a troll.

The serious information: The DM course is different from all specialties. It is designed to teach skills that are not remotely related to any of the specialties.

As the OP well knows.

---------- Post added April 12th, 2013 at 06:29 PM ----------

To provide some clarity before the pending request for deletion is approved.

Rhetorical question - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

-Mitch

 

[Superlyte27]

I kinda thought it was a troll too.
But what do I know. I've been wrong once or twice before.

 

[chrpai]

I think it's a good question. PADI has a certain educational model all the way up through Master Diver. What impact does this have on the "professional" level courses? Is it just more of the same?

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I kinda thought it was a troll too.
But what do I know. I've been wrong once or twice before.

Not trolling at all.
I crack jokes here and there. But I have no track record of trolling at all.
I asked the rhetorical question because I really did want to hear the answer about how the approach to learning should be any different in the two ratings that I mentioned.

One is sort of held up a a model for learning....and then suddenly it isn't when I ask the question.

I've posted here before, and even today my view on classes.

I am very thankful for having teh chance to take classes.

When I arrived in Iwakuni almost two years ago, there was no instructor.
There's nothing like living in a place where there are no available instructors to make you appreciate the value in having training options....I plan to take full advantage of whatever training is available to me.

I am often critical of classes that short change students...I have taken a couple of those before, and it sucks!

As we all know....there's good and bad out there, sometimes you don't immediately know the difference or even have a choice.

Another reason.....I'm starting a Dive Master course (PADI) next month. I AM aware that you can't combine a bunch of specialties and become a DM.

But my original post still stands......which model for learning is it going to be?
It would be nice to get an honest answer (including some criticism where it's due).

It would be refreshing to see something other than a justification for everything, and a cry out for deleting any post certain people don't agree with.

I asked a rhetorical question to make a point, and maybe get a view. I was prompted by the Mater Diver thread.

I don't troll....and I typically sign my name to my posts.

Cheers,
Mitch

 

[dumpsterDiver]

A DM certification is really a professional level certification. Inherent in this classification is the fact that you are LEGALLY responsible for the safety of other people. If things go south you may well be talking to lawyers. You also have to pay liability insurance, conceivably forever. I was always concerned that even if you stop being involved in dive supervision, drop insurance and have nothing to do with PADI... you can still be held responsible. In fact, I was once volunteering as an unpaid (and uninsured with PADI) "dive guide" where we had a diver get chopped up (in the brain) by the props of a boat. I made a little inquiry to my general liability carrier associated with my home, and I was informed that they were immediately dropping insurance of my residence... it was a real mess..I was not an employee and I was not paid any money. So the DM label can really be viewed as a perpetual burden and liability. Don't go down that path, if you think it might be something fun to do for a few years..... ..... The master diver certification is just a collection of merit badge certifications, the quantity and composition of which are unrelated to a professional status (and liability) to a considerable extent.