PADI Divemaster Program

[texasaubiefan]

I'm a DM and it was a blast even though it was a longer process than I originally thought. First and most important - your instructor, his/her style, and teaching methodology are THE most important attributes to determine whether this will be good for you. To reiterate Bob's comments - you are not a gofer and anybody that treats you like a slave is just flat dead wrong. Second, I'd recommend that everything be a mix of hands-on and class. For me - I did alot of dives with students with the instructor in an observatory mode and spent alot of time w/him coaching me before and after about WHY he did things certain ways. Reading out of a book and memorizing is worthless unless you understand WHY you need to know it and have it reinforced w/real world examples. This was much more of a 1x1 mentoring program than a class. Consequently when I passed my DM - I've already been told by a course director that observed me during the process that I'm almost ready for my IE even though I haven't yet taken the IDC.

So - it's all in the instructor. If you get one you're not happy with - bag em and get someone else. Also, be prepared to work your butt off. Anyone can get the DM cert, the question is how good do you want to be and what do you want to do with it once you get it.

 

[Peter Guy]

Sorry to say I have a slightly different take on my PADI DM program. I happen to think my instructor is quite good -- a vast amount of experience, both diving and teaching.

The problem I have is the course material which I think is way too thin where it matters -- and of course, non-existent on one extremely important point.

Too thin: Diving science -- physics and physiology -- and especially on decompression theory and practice (and why so little on the use of dive computers? -- yes, I understand there are many different ones, but can't PADI discuss some of the basics that appear to be common -- AND what are the pro's and con's of dive computers along with some data supporting them?).

Non-existent: Any reference to gas management -- from the basics of what IS a SAC rate, how to figure it, etc. -- to such things as tank factors for quick determination of how much gas you actually have left -- to figuring out how much gas you actually need to "plan your dive and dive your plan"

It is NOT as rigorous as I expected it would be.