Question about Going Professional

[medic_diver45]

I'm planning on getting my PADI OW and AOW certifications here fairly soon along with my Rescue Diver endorsement. I don't forsee having too much problem with any of these classes as I have been through the OW class once before (missed the last checkout dive because of a broken leg ) and I am trained in surface swiftwater rescue through the fire department (done 2 actual swimming rescues plus one surface body recovery so far) so I am pretty comfortable in the water. I am also planning on knocking out several specialties too as the opportunity presents itself.


I was wondering if someone could tell me the specific requirements to become a Divemaster. From the PADI website, all I could find listed was that you be AOW with Rescue Diver and 20 logged dives. Are there any additional requirements?

I am trying to get out of health care as a career field; I might continue doing it part time- it's just the stress was getting to me and seeing as I spent the last 9 months taking care of my grandfather when he was sick I don't know if I could do it full time anymore. I am looking at becoming a divemaster as a way to earn money until I get out of college (it kind of goes along with what I want to study- marine biology). What is the average pay for something like this? (I imagine it would vary based on where you were at- I'm looking at somewhere like Florida or such....I don't want to go to California and I would prefer to stay somewhere warm.) Any suggestions or information would be appreciated. Thanks y'all.

 

[scubabamatxn]

I recommend that you just go by the PADI LDS and talk to the instructor in person. The opinion of the instructor that you form will be the most important factor anyway. Meanwhile, here are some highlights: 1) You have to do some watermanship-- swimming several hundred yards in just a swim suit, several hundred more with snorkle. etc,-- alot like you do for OW, but timed.2) A 'skills circuit'-- demonstration of very well executed dive skills-- bouyancy, mask clearing, fn pivots, and about 16 other skills performed, just as if you were 'demonstrating' the skill for a student 3) Assisting an instructor with classes, like an internship for quite a few confined and open water sessions 4) 'Practical' projects, like mapping a dive site, preparing an emergency plan for a dive site, etc. This is just an overview-- the actual requirements are more detailed-- just go see a qualified instructor for the rest-- good luck!

 

[medic_diver45]

I'll go talk to an instructor as soon as I can....I'm not planning on doing my training here locally because I don't like the instructor (he scares me to be quite honest....just something about his personality makes me uncomfortable, makes the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up- 8 years as an First Responder/EMT/EMT-I and 6 years as a firefighter makes you learn to listen to the little hairs (they've kept me from getting shot on two seperate occasions, to much the highlights of their accomplishments)

 

[scubabamatxn]

I agree with you. Diving has to be fun! You can't have fun learning from someone you can't relate to or feel comfortable with. I'm a DM-- I don't work with classes all that much, but I did it to continue to formally improve my skills. Also, some day I might become an Instructor, if I can find more time. I liked my instructor's attitude from the beginning, and he, I , and others can do things socially, go on trips, etc.

 

[scubabamatxn]

I just saw another thread. If you look at the "General Dive Discussion' thread, go to the discussion titled "Divemastering". It does not cover all of the requirements, but it goes into more detail about the 'Watermanship' requirements.

 

[medic_diver45]

I should make something clear- I don't think the local instructor is a bad guy. Actually to contrary, he's a very nice guy. I have professional issues with him, in that he makes me really uncomfortable in the water.

 

[Kriterian]

I should make something clear- I don't think the local instructor is a bad guy. Actually to contrary, he's a very nice guy. I have professional issues with him, in that he makes me really uncomfortable in the water.

I posted the requirements for the swim tests on another post. I can't think of the title at the moment, but you can probably find it in a search. You get points based on how well you do, and you must get a certain number of points total from all the tests to pass.

 

[medic_diver45]

Another question: Since I am a medical professional (EMT-Intermediate and respiratory therapist with all the bells and whistles certifications that go along with those: CPR, ACLS, BTLS, PALS, NRP, etc.) is there any way for me to test out of part or all of the Emergency First Response course?

It seems a little redundant (downright silly actually) to make someone who can do IV's, insert breathing tubes, push emergency medications and run ventilators sit through a basic first aid course. I can teach those kind of classes for crying out loud. Just curious....if I have to do it, oh well, but I would rather not spend time I could use learning to do something new on a refresher of something I have been certified in for 8+ years.

 

[NorthernMelody]

That was a query for me as well...In Canada I'm a paramedic level 1 and already know O2 protocals, situation assessment, triage, etc. I guess if I want to teach it I prolly will eh? I'm a dive master candidate right now. Though I don't know all the requirements yet either...I'll check out the other threads as suggested

 

[medic_diver45]

The only thing I could see that would be any different from previous training would be recognition and management of DCS.....which pretty much (from what I have seen in dive manuals) is "If they haven't been bit by a shark, moray, barracuda and are having problems it's DCS until proven otherwise, so slap 'em on high flow O2 and get to shore." How much time could it take to teach that?

Another question I have....how come every dive book I have seen, when it discusses O2 administration has it being given through a demand valve (aka Elder valve) type system? See page 154 of the PADI open water dive text for an example of what I mean. These are dangerous devices (if you aren't d--n careful with them (and really experienced with them- more than you're gonna get from a simple class (I don't trust EMT's with them let alone a first aider)) you can easily added a ruptured and collapsed lung to the patient's list of problems. That is not to mention that these setups waste lots of O2; you will get further with a non-rebreather mask, or if the patient isn't breathing an AMBU bag. Just my professional medical opinion.