PADI DSD rating

[pixiefish]

I guess this should go in 'going pro' but I can't post there (yet!)

Am I right in thinking that (under PADI at least) divemasters can't independently conduct a DSD, just certain portions of it? Is there a seperate rating that allows a DM to conduct a full DSD independently??

Thanks in advance

 

[Dave1981]

As I recall an assistant instructor can do that. A dm has to do an extra module to teach some portions of dsd but still must be under indirect supervision of an instructor.

From what I recall, it's been a while since I read the manual.

 

[String]

DMs cant evaluate skills.

They can do the confined part of DSD and any follow up open water dives but cannot do the initial open water dive.

 

[DevonDiver]

A divemaster can conduct a separate internship and then apply to be allowed to conduct 'partial' DSDs. Without that internship and authorization from PADI, a divemaster should not be involved with DSDs other than to assist an Instructor.

I interpret the current regulations to mean that, with PADI authorization, the divemaster can conduct the tour portion of the DSD. They are not allowed to 'teach' skills on the DSD (as if it was confined water #1).

I am not sure how the expected amendments to the divemaster course will effect this. I've heard that the new divemaster course will include DSD elements, so this may mean that every divemaster will be able to run DSDs??

Personally, I am not in favour of divemaster's taking DSDs. A divemaster is not a qualified scuba educator...and the DSD programme should have a basic element of tuition in order to ensure safety (mask clear, reg clear and replace, signals). Also, a divemaster has not passed any externally verified assessment or been educated on liability issues. The system is open to cowboys....

 

[marinediva]

DSD's can be conducted in two ways.
One is in confined water (eg pool or confined open water environment)
and two is in open water.

A divemaster CAN take participants on a tour in confined water, if they have received the certification to do so ONLY.
If a divemaster is the the pool they can take up to 4 persons.
If they are in a confined open water envir. they can take only 2.

The divemaster uses flipcharts to do the following

Conduct briefing: Introduce and explain the use of a mask, fins,
BCD, regulator and pressure gauge. Briefly go over any other
equipment new divers will wear - exposure protection, weight
system, alternate air source, etc. Review breathing rules and
equalization techniques. Overview regulator and mask clearing.
• Help new divers put on and adjust their scuba equipment.
• Directly supervise new divers as they breathe underwater and
swim around in shallow water.

A divemaster CANNOT take a participant in open water.

They are not teaching as such.
The procedure for a DSD with open water is different,
and an instructor teaches skills in confined water before taking a tour in open water.
If a participant has done an open water DSD it is recognised in later training certification.

 

[muddiver]

A divemaster can conduct a separate internship and then apply to be allowed to conduct 'partial' DSDs. Without that internship and authorization from PADI, a divemaster should not be involved with DSDs other than to assist an Instructor.

I interpret the current regulations to mean that, with PADI authorization, the divemaster can conduct the tour portion of the DSD. They are not allowed to 'teach' skills on the DSD (as if it was confined water #1).

I am not sure how the expected amendments to the divemaster course will effect this. I've heard that the new divemaster course will include DSD elements, so this may mean that every divemaster will be able to run DSDs??

Personally, I am not in favour of divemaster's taking DSDs. A divemaster is not a qualified scuba educator...and the DSD programme should have a basic element of tuition in order to ensure safety (mask clear, reg clear and replace, signals). Also, a divemaster has not passed any externally verified assessment or been educated on liability issues. The system is open to cowboys....

Your gonna loose that argument because I see the shops and business owners wanting to use the cheaper labor (i.e. Divemasters) to provide the more popular activities at dive resort locations. It is no different than the illigal immigrant issue here in the western United States. Business, middle class and upper class will use the cheapest labor to get their services and using a Divemaster to do someting profitable will provide more return than the cost of an Instructor.

 

[knotical]

What I see in the new instructor manual, generally similar to what was already said by others, but with a few small differences:

PADI now calls them DSD Leaders. These are DMs who have completed a DSD internship consisting of conducting four DSDs in confined water under the direct supervision of an Instructor.
Afterwards, the DM can conduct DSDs in confined water with the following ratios.
Pool, 4:1
Confined open water, 2:1

Of course, they can also still do second and subsequent OW dives at a ratio of 2:1 after an initial OW dive was conducted by an instructor.

The only other limitation I see for DMs conducting DSDs is that of linking to the Open Water course, since it should require an instructor to ensure the participants "mastered" the skills before it can count as Open Water pool dive 1.

 

[N2DeepInAz]

If we are talking about PADI requirements then here is what I had to do in order to be able to run DSD's for our dive shop. PADI has a DSD Leadership form that needs to be signed off on by an instructor that has evaluated you during four DSD sessions and deemed you proficient to conduct a DSD. The instructor must sign off on the form that you have completed the necessary requirements. It needs to be sent in to PADI and you need to pay the processing fee. After that you become a Divemaster with DSD Leadership skills. As a DM, you can still only have up to 4 participants in confined water at a time. You may run 2:1 ratios if in open water.

This process is not up for debate as I worked hand in hand with PADI to meet these requirements and to make sure our shop was compliant on all requirements.

 

[boulderjohn]

Business, middle class and upper class will use the cheapest labor to get their services and using a Divemaster to do someting profitable will provide more return than the cost of an Instructor.

Be careful about using universal statements like this.

I started as a DM assisting instruction in a shop. Then the shop decided it would no longer employ DMs because they felt they could provide better service if the people assisting classes were AIs. Now we have only one AI around, and he will do his IE within the next year. If you do anything with our shop, whether it is Bubblemaker, DSD, Refresher, OW--anything at all, the person leading the program and all assistants will be full instructors.

In almost all Caribbean resorts, it is darn near impossible to get a job if you are only a DM. The people leading dives, etc., are all full instructors. In a recent thread a topic of discussion was a large operator in the Caribbean who did not hire anyone unless they were at least MSDT.

I once talked to a "DM" in a Florida operator. He was really an MSDT, and he said that was pretty much a requirement where he was.

 

[muddiver]

Be careful about using universal statements like this.

I started as a DM assisting instruction in a shop. Then the shop decided it would no longer employ DMs because they felt they could provide better service if the people assisting classes were AIs. Now we have only one AI around, and he will do his IE within the next year. If you do anything with our shop, whether it is Bubblemaker, DSD, Refresher, OW--anything at all, the person leading the program and all assistants will be full instructors.

In almost all Caribbean resorts, it is darn near impossible to get a job if you are only a DM. The people leading dives, etc., are all full instructors. In a recent thread a topic of discussion was a large operator in the Caribbean who did not hire anyone unless they were at least MSDT.

I once talked to a "DM" in a Florida operator. He was really an MSDT, and he said that was pretty much a requirement where he was.

Ok, but this is aslo most likely profit driven. Using an Instructor provides for more opportunity to sell courses where a lowly DM is only good, right now, for adding a couple of students to a class or leading guided dives.