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I beg to differ with you, real world experience is an important piece, but only a piece.I saw the new test versus the old test answer keys. The new test is is 120 or 140 questions and in two parts of 60 to 70 questions encompassing all the material instead of broken up into section as with the old course. I didn't get to see the actual new test itself though; I got to look at the old test sections instead.
I am not sure of the physics portion or how those questions will be in the actual test.
I feel bookwork is bookwork whether they changed the presentation of the material or the testing of it. I feel it comes down more to your instructor, shop and what you put into the course. For me I want to progress into IDC next summer and get my OWSI and use this course as a long internship into instruction. I want to take full advantage of working with students and instructors to further sharpen my skills and knowledge. I understand that bookwork and testing is important but real world experience is the real knowledge building.
At a leadership level you need to be a Proficient or Expert diver, what this means to me is:
Proficient: The diver posses a depth of understanding of the disciplines that make up diving, as well as those specific to diving, so that the diver can make a holistic assessment in context, rather than just an analytic one. The diver can deal with complex situations holistically, and decision-making is more confident. Performing to a fully acceptable standard is routine, as is seeing what is most important in a situation. Deviations from the normal pattern are quickly perceived. Decision-making is less labored. Maxims are used for guidance, but there is understanding that conclusions will (and should) vary according to the situation. The diver sees the overall 'picture' and how individual actions fit within it. The diver is able to take full responsibility for his or her own work (and that of others where and when applicable).
Expert: The diver is capable of making correct decisions on an intuitive basis. He or she no longer needs to rely on rules, guidelines or maxims and posses an authoritative knowledge of the disciplines that make up diving that leads to a deep tacit understanding of, as well as a holistic and intuitive grasp of situations. In complex circumstances, the diver moves easily between intuitive and analytical approaches, using analytic approaches solely in completely novel situations or when problems occur. The diver sees the overall 'picture' and simultaneously grasps alternative approaches. The diver is comfortable taking responsibility for going beyond existing standards and creating original interpretations using a vision of what is possible. Excellence is achieved with relative ease.
There was a time when becoming an diving leader started with being an expert diver, today one is lucky to find an DM or Instructor who is even a proficient diver.
It would amaze me and please me no end it PADI made the exam more demanding.
We wait for your report, thanks.Okay. I see what you are saying.
Once I get my crewpack my instructor and I are going to go through it and do some comparisons between the new DM manual and the older version. Once we do that I will update to what the changes have been made. Should be next week or so.
On the other hand, I got to participate in an open water class Friday afternoon at the Blue Heron Bridge and what I mean by participate I got to hold the dive flag for three hours. I learned a lot in those few hours just watching students do their confined water dives 3 and 4. Students keep you on your toes they like to shoot to the surface on a fin pivot, try to use a snorkel underwater and get distracted by spotted eagle rays very easily. Good intro into trouble shooting and situational awareness.