Padi - Divemaster - Time constraints?

[FlyinV]

Is there any requirements that a Padi Divemaster candidate must complete the program in a certain time period?

On average how long does the typical non-fulltime student take to complete the Divemaster requirements?

Just curious -- I have met Divemasters that went fast and Divemasters that didn't.

Fast ones lived (fulltime) becoming a Divemaster -- Slow ones lived like normal people and worked towards it when they could

I am considering my long range plans - perhaps Divemaster next spring -- I am in no hurry and want to become a better diver before I enter the program anyway.
I just think I would enjoy the challenge and helping people once that time comes.

 

[knotical]

There is no upper limit for how long a PADI DiveMaster Candidate is in training with the same instructor or dive center. A referral is good for 12 months with the possibility of an extension.

I've worked with a candidate who started nearly 15 years ago. Each time he returns from Iraq, or wherever, we re-do his medical form, liability release, etc. and assess what he needs to do to become current. Then we proceed.

Our typical candidates complete in about six months.

 

[mikemath]

Sounds like you're planning on DM training for similar reasons to mine. I primarily want to be as good a diver as possible, and helping new divers feels like a great way to help that happen. Your attitude is a good one. Don't rush things, take the time to learn things well instead of the bare minimum for certification.

I'd recommend talking to a few instructors and talking to them about the pace they like to run a DiveMaster class. Find one who won't rush you beyond your limits, or hold you back due to lack of availability. My LDS usually has 2-4 people in a DiveMaster course, and if you're in a similar class environment, you'll also want to make sure the students you're paired with are on a comparable schedule, or have a plan for solo instruction if you get out of sync. I was lucky enough to have my Instructor agree to take me on as a single Dive Master candidate, and it's worked great so far. I'm about 80% done with the tests, and 30% done with the internship after 1 month of twice-a-week evenings and 1 weekend accompanying a class. It'll probably take me another 6-8 weeks to finish the course.

I can't emphasize enough to find a good instructor who has enough experience for you to grow as a diver, has a teaching style that matches your own, and has similar expectations regarding timing. Start with instructors that you've taken other classes from and ask yourself how they might work as a DiveMaster mentor. Who did you learn the most from? Who did you respect the most?

 

[Crowley]

There's no time limit on the training - and as has rightly been pointed out, the referral is valid for 12 months.

The actual requirements for the course can be completed in a relatively short space of time. People dislike the concept of a fast track DM class for obvious reasons - you miss out on the 'experience' that you really need to function as a DM, however a fast track course will get you through all the exams and stuff.

Why am I saying this? Well it depends on what your LDS has to offer. If you want to work in the industry then you really want to be assisting on courses and around the shop - this forms part of the DiveMaster internship. In some places, an internship might not be practical - not enough courses to assist on, for example (a problem at a former job of mine) - but your LDS may allow you to assist as a DMT anyway to get the experience you need then 'fast-track' you through the exams and swim tests and the practical application exercises. I see no particular problem with this (in fact I developed a DM program based along similar lines) - as long as you are getting as much experience assisting with students and customers as possible, and as long as you are *learning* the information, not simply cramming for exams! A full internship over a period of several months with regular work is obviously preferential, but as long as you're learning the right stuff, not required. As posted above - discuss with your preferred training centre, but there are a number of different options in terms of completing the course requirements.

Also - don't look to the DM course to enhance your diving skills - it won't, really. These can only be developed through lots of diving experience and practice. Taking specialty courses can help, or assisting with them as a DMT will give you similar experience and although you might not technically qualify for a C-card, you will get the training at little expense if you're assisting... always handy!

Good luck!

C.

 

[B.L. Justice]

I am neck deep in the DM process right now. I found an instructor who has a good grasp of how I work and understands how to work with me to bring out the best. In the last couple of session, my instructor has been very ill and the LDS course director has taken over. I know that I should be able to demonstrate skills to any instructor at any time but still.....

The CD had another staff instructor in the pool tonight to help and that instructor was rude, demanding and unprofessional. All of the things that they teach you not to be. I bet the instructor has a following of their own and does very well but the hallmark of a quality instructor is one who is more focused on the student than themselves. The instructor missed the mark by a mile.

Find someone who will mentor you and will work within your reasonable schedule needs. They are out there. Don't let an instructor play Seal DI on you. No one gains by that and you won't enjoy and otherwise enjoyable experience..

 

[RJP]

Took me almost a year between work and personal life plus all of the internships. Glad I did it that way, got to see/do/learn a lot.

 

[Road Guy]

dumb question, but I havent been able to find a full list of whats actually required for the DM Certification?

I am no where close but something I want to do down the road, just havent been able to find a list that says do this:

A.
B.
C.
D.

etc...

 

[Doppler]

Sounds like you're planning on DM training for similar reasons to mine. I primarily want to be as good a diver as possible...

Your mileage may vary but taking a DM course to become a better diver is not the most effective option. Far from it. The structure of a DM course is more focused on the business of diving and risk management. It is about becoming a dive professional. There is very, very little in the course that will expand a candidate's diving skills beyond being able to demonstrate the drills that form the core of an open water program. There is a little about equipment, chemistry, physiology and rudimentary physics but not much that is going to help you become "as good a diver as possible."

For that, I would suggest diving... and lots of it.


Regarding what is required to graduate. The required skills cover two pages. If you want me to send them to you (these are SDI's but since both PADI and SDI are RSTC members, they will therefore be very similar) anyway PM me with an email address.

In breif, the course scope is:Give a minimum of five briefs / debriefs
Show preparation, planning and control in dive management and diving activities
Guide a minimum of four dives with varying sites and environmental conditions

Course duration is a minimum of 40 hours... I have managed to administer the academics and run through skills in 40 hours but I would suggest you plan for at least another 20 to 30 hours of practicum.

 

[Scott]

Small steps.
Right now according to your profile your an AOW. Your next class would be Rescue.
Be at least 18 years old
By standards you'll need 20 logged dives to start. This doesn't mean your instructor will let you start with 20. Personally it would be best to get a bunch more in different environments.
Show proof of current CPR and first aid.
That will get you in the door. From there...well to much to type but lots of really fun stuff. ie: water skill tests, academics tests, rescue scenarios, demonstrate 20 skills circuit, intern or practical exercise for OW and con ed classes and more.

dumb question, but I havent been able to find a full list of whats actually required for the DM Certification?

I am no where close but something I want to do down the road, just havent been able to find a list that says do this:

 

[mikemath]

Your mileage may vary but taking a DM course to become a better diver is not the most effective option. Far from it. The structure of a DM course is more focused on the business of diving and risk management. It is about becoming a dive professional. There is very, very little in the course that will expand a candidate's diving skills beyond being able to demonstrate the drills that form the core of an open water program. There is a little about equipment, chemistry, physiology and rudimentary physics but not much that is going to help you become "as good a diver as possible."

For that, I would suggest diving... and lots of it.

This is a great point and something I should have clarified in my post. I fully agree that the best way to improve individual dive skills (buoyancy, finning technique, navigation, etc) is to get experience doing them--in other words, by diving a lot. I see diving more holistically than just a set of skills and techniques. In addition to those skills, I want to be a good buddy, I want to help people in the dive community, and I want to be confident that I can deal with problems that might occur while diving. In these areas, even at the halfway point in my DM certification, I have already seen major improvements, because accompanying students as part of the internship has given me experiences I can learn from to improve these areas. I've been learning more about diving, helping those with problems diving (new divers), and answering questions about diving. I've had a chance to make a class's first dive weekend really fun by quickly dealing with equipment and logistical problems and keeping them focused on all the reasons they wanted to dive in the first place. My underwater communication has gotten much tighter after students failed to understand some things. My situational awareness and ability to deal with task loading has increased thanks to monitoring 6 students + the instructor + myself in low viz.

The diver I want to become isn't a simply paragon of grace and technique in the water to be watched and admired. I want to be someone who is a useful part of the community and a pleasure to dive with. As with anything, there are many paths to learning the same skill set, and the DM program is not the only way to go. But the benefits I've seen from my DM course to date have gone far beyond simple skill demonstration, which only represent about 2 hours of the 50+ hours I've put into the program to date. As you mention, individual mileage may vary, and we all have different reasons and goals with respect to diving.