The SEI Diving Master Diver Course is indeed a separate course. Pre reqs include: AOW,DRAM rescue or approved rescue course, one SEI Diving specialty such as Search and Recovery/Public Safety, Drysuit, Ice, or other SEI Diving Specialty, First Aid, CPR, AED, O2 provider certs. Most instructors will also require a minimum number of dives and level of skill proficiency before you can take the course.
In addition the following classroom material is covered-
Advanced tables and decompression planning
Accident Management
Physics Theory
Diving Physiology Theory
Equipment Mechanics
Medical Aspects
Environmental Awareness
Course shall include at least 10 dives with two dives to 100 feet, 2 in full wetsuit or drysuit,2 night or limited visibility, dives in fresh and salt water.
OW performance test-200 yds swim without stopping at end of swim surface dive to 10 feet, recover 3lb object, hold at surface for 2 minutes.
Hold breath under water for 20 seconds,surface for 10 seconds and repeat
With skin diving gear and weights swim 400 yds and surface dive to 30 feet
With scuba gear and weights swim 300 yds on surface breathing thru snorkel
Simulate rescue of diver from 50 feet depth and hold at surface for 2 minutes
Descend to 80-100 feet and remove and replace mask, remove and replace regulator, receive and interpret hand signals
Swim on scuba at least 25 yds at 20 feet without mask
Navigational Techniques- 3 leg course, each leg 100 feet long, return to within 20 feet of start point
Plan and execute a simulated decompression dive, Do not exceed NDL's but remain at stops for time required by plan. ( this is a simulation only to get practice in using and holding stops)
There is a minimum 100 question test covering all aspects of diving from OW thru this course and it may include any subject covered during any previous classes.
On a personal note. I would require a min of 25 dives outside of any class/training dives prior to starting this course. Divers would also be required to possess demo quality basic skills (doing them kneeling does not count!). Each classroom session would last around 2 hours for each subject. These are the BASIC guidelines for this course. Again realize that instructors would be free to add any other requirements they would see fit to benefit the student.
. Free diving also reinforces the idea of streamlining your gear.
