hi all, im heading out to cali for a month and i would love to get my DM done while im out there. i called a shop and told them my situation and they said they could do it but then i called my old instructor and he said no way they r just gettin u to put downur money. I started a dm class 3 years ago but the shop stopped the class and also i have the crew pac and i really have the material down. having that on my side do u guys think i could get this done in 4 weeks being able to devote 3-4 days per week on it??
PADI DM in 4 weeks?
- Thread starter zaf88
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If you are a rescue diver and current in cpr\firtst aid, I don't see a problem.
Have all your academic stuff down pat and start checking off stuff on the DM forms.
Have all your academic stuff down pat and start checking off stuff on the DM forms.
It is "possible " to complete the DM program in 4 weeks but it definitely isn't to your benefit when it's structured like that. The DM program that I did was an actual internship and was spread out over 5 months. I realize that everyone learns differently but the extra time that I had allowed me to absorb the material better and I was able to fine tune my demonstration quality skills a little more as well. It's good that you have the crew pack already and "got your feet" wet from the previous DM program which ended. I would recommend that you complete the internship, the experience that you get from working with actual students will be invaluable. Good luck with your decision. Take care.
I used to only teach the internship option but I had to do one class were we had to do the simulated dives and found that those students did better working with classes from the first.
Now we teach the simulated dives and encourage the the instructors to still give the new DM's the same kind of feedback required in the internship program.
Randy
Now we teach the simulated dives and encourage the the instructors to still give the new DM's the same kind of feedback required in the internship program.
Randy
I will put my 'two cents' in as I just finished my course in June. It was non-stop in about 5 weeks, taking a day or two off here and there.
I had pre-studied everything and had my EFR. Even with that I still needed to restudy the Encyclopedia as there is alot of info to grasp.
One point I just thought that I saw above is quite true. You can do it in 5 weeks or so, but if given the chance, doing and internship and getting more practice for the basic skills over a longer time period would be nice. But the flip side to that is letting it drag on 'too long' from what I could see that could easily happen as well.
IMO it all depends upon where the course is being given at (busy dive resort vs. an island in the south pacific with one O/W class every 2 months) and how it's presented as to whether or not you need more than 4 weeks or not.
I was fortunate enough to have many new divers coming in 'every day' wanting different courses, and it was great to be able to help and assist with these.
Just my observations, good luck and all!
I had pre-studied everything and had my EFR. Even with that I still needed to restudy the Encyclopedia as there is alot of info to grasp.
One point I just thought that I saw above is quite true. You can do it in 5 weeks or so, but if given the chance, doing and internship and getting more practice for the basic skills over a longer time period would be nice. But the flip side to that is letting it drag on 'too long' from what I could see that could easily happen as well.
IMO it all depends upon where the course is being given at (busy dive resort vs. an island in the south pacific with one O/W class every 2 months) and how it's presented as to whether or not you need more than 4 weeks or not.
I was fortunate enough to have many new divers coming in 'every day' wanting different courses, and it was great to be able to help and assist with these.
Just my observations, good luck and all!
I believe it really comes down to why you want to get the DM Card. IF all you want is the card, then 4 weeks should be more than enough. IF you want to learn how to be a real help in teaching the various scuba classes, then maybe you need the internship type program that goes over several months.
I did my DM with a group of sheriff deputies who just needed the card to stay in the Marine Division and they didn't care one bit about anything except the check marks.
So it comes back to Why?
I did my DM with a group of sheriff deputies who just needed the card to stay in the Marine Division and they didn't care one bit about anything except the check marks.
So it comes back to Why?
well i would like to teach part time for fun. i happen to have this month where i can devote some real time to it thats why i would like to get it done this way. my theory and stuff is solid. i spoke with another dive shop there and they also said that it could def. b done. i get the point of a longer internship as well.
Just so you see the entire spectrum of DM course lengths; take a look at Pro Dive's schedule.
Pro Dive:
As has been mentioned there are advantages and dis-advantages to both....
I did my own program over a 13 month period. My instructor only offers dive classes in the summer here in Japan. I worked with multiple OW classes over 2 summers.
I also spent a signifigant amount of time doing "volunteer" work at my dive club (my instructor is also a member). I spent lot of time working with not only with students but also diving with newly certified divers. I became the defacto "Discover Local Diving" person, although I wasn't "formally" doing that
Also got training in other areas like doing VIP's and operating our clubs compressor (our system is "custom" built, we can fill 10 tanks at a time). Although I didn't work in a dive shop per se... I feel pretty comfortable I could do that. That has a lot to do with the amount of time I've spent in the Divemaster program.
Having said all that though, I know people who did much shorter programs (like the one you want to do) and they are fine. I think it really depends on you, how well you are prepared, and the the instructor. You sound like you're really well prepared, so I would say go for it
I did my own program over a 13 month period. My instructor only offers dive classes in the summer here in Japan. I worked with multiple OW classes over 2 summers.
I also spent a signifigant amount of time doing "volunteer" work at my dive club (my instructor is also a member). I spent lot of time working with not only with students but also diving with newly certified divers. I became the defacto "Discover Local Diving" person, although I wasn't "formally" doing that
Also got training in other areas like doing VIP's and operating our clubs compressor (our system is "custom" built, we can fill 10 tanks at a time). Although I didn't work in a dive shop per se... I feel pretty comfortable I could do that. That has a lot to do with the amount of time I've spent in the Divemaster program.
Having said all that though, I know people who did much shorter programs (like the one you want to do) and they are fine. I think it really depends on you, how well you are prepared, and the the instructor. You sound like you're really well prepared, so I would say go for it
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