To all of the dive masters...

[Hemlon]

I am considering started a dive master cert. About how long (in weeks or months) does it take? How rough is the exam? What were your experiences like?

Any info would be great!


Thanks!
:icon5:

 

[WileEDiver]

I've seen people complete it in as little as 2 months and I've seen people still not done after 2 years (in my case it was 3 months). In great part it depends on the candidate (how much time you have available to study, help out with classes, etc.). There are 8 exams (20 questions, mostly multiple choice, 75% required), and while they will require some studying, they're not all that bad (to the motivated student).

For me personally, it had been a long, long time since I had given myself a difficult challenge to complete and the satisfaction I received from completing it was well worth the effort. In fact, in many ways I'm more proud of completing my DM then becoming an instructor--the DM was much harder. That having been said, I love being an instructor more than being a DM, but the process of becoming a DM was much more difficult.

One suggestion I would have, before you start the program, is to make sure that you and your instructor are compatible. In my case I interviewed several instructors to find one who I felt had a similar philosophy as mine (with respect to diving, safety, working with students, and how the DM program would be conducted). The relationship between the instructor and Divemaster Candidate is much like a mentor/protégé, so make sure you're working with someone you respect and you like. In my case my instructor was someone who helped me become successful first as a DM and then as an instructor. Today we're teaching partners and he's probably the closest friend I have (and someone with whom I have a ball fun diving).

 

[Mako Mark]

the course, acording to the PADI instructor manual is 50 reccommended hours to complete the curriculum.

Most people however see some kind of Divemaster Internship as a mandatory part of the course (while it is strictly not).

Personally I am happy to teach the "course curriculum" in ten days..

HOWEVER

Teaching the job takes significantly longer. It all depends how much experience you have and what you want out of the course. The more you put in, the more you will get out of it..

 

[Snowbear]

Mine was a combination of course curriculum and internship.
I found the written tests pretty easy with a minimum of studying.
I found that the DM course did nothing to help improve my actual dive skills.
The whole thing took about 2 1/2 months.

 

[Mako Mark]

the Divemaster course is not really about personal dive skills snowbear, perhaps with the exception of demonstrating entry level skills, its more about supervising divers and diving activities.

If you want to improve your personal dive skills other than just by divng more, take a technical dive course..

 

[Snowbear]

the Divemaster course is not really about personal dive skills snowbear, perhaps with the exception of demonstrating entry level skills, its more about supervising divers and diving activities...

I agree. I realize this poster hasn't said this yet, but how many times on this board have you seen people say they want to take the DM class to "improve my skills" or "improve my diving?" I've seen a lot. That's why I try to point out that this will most likely not be accomplished by taking a DM class.

 

[Hemlon]

Wow...thanks for the info! WileEDiver, the info you gave was just the kind of info I was looking for.

Thanks, everyone!

 

[emtdan]

Every summer many people do it in essentially 18 days. On Action Quest, each summer like 20 people are able to finish the DM class very quickly. With conventional classes, its an hour here, an hour there. On AQ, its a full imersaion cirriculum (literally). The kids do it as long as it takes all day, every day. As well as doing the coursework quickly, they do a lot of diving, and do their "internship" guiding divers doing other courses, and helping out teach other students. From what i've heard, its very cool, and lots of fun.
One note, not everybody passes! Every summer 3 or 4 people dont pass their tests at the end. They stay for another session and usually do the course again, and pass.

 

[Hemlon]

What kind of skills will the DM candidates be evaluated on? Can you give me some examples? Also, what will the candidate's role be in helping with an OW class?

 

[BigboyDan]

NAUI Divemaster (DM)

Would you like to lead dives and dive trips; take certified divers on vacations to the world's best dive sites? Many Divemasters are employed full-time or work independently supervising certified divers during club, store, resort or charter tour and travel activities. As a NAUI Divemaster you enjoy again and again adventures to which you introduce your clients. Another option leading to NAUI Instructor qualification.

OVERVIEW

The NAUI Divemaster rating is the highest NAUI leadership-level certification with the exception of Instructor. The program is designed to train experienced and knowledgeable divers to organize and conduct enjoyable open water dives for certified divers.

QUALIFICATIONS OF GRADUATES

An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to organize and conduct dives for certified divers if the diving activities and locale approximate those in which the Divemaster is trained. Additional training, knowledge or experience is necessary for the Divemaster who desires to organize highly specialized activities, such as wreck penetration, cavern or ice dives or enter a new locale.

An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to organize and conduct NAUI Recognition (such as International Diver) and Experience Programs (such as Stingray Experience) and award appropriate recognition materials to participants.
An active-status NAUI Divemaster is qualified to assist an active-status NAUI Instructor in diving courses.

If all other prerequisites are met, a current NAUI Divemaster is qualified to enter a NAUI Instructor Training Course (ITC). [Attending a NAUI Instructor Preparatory Program (PREP) and NAUI Assistant Instructor certification are recommended prior to attending an ITC.]

PREREQUISITES FOR ENTERING THE COURSE

General. Meet the requirements applying to all Leadership courses. (See “Policies Applying to Leadership Courses.”)

Materials. (See current guide to NAUI membership.)

Diver Certification. The preferred minimum certification level is NAUI Assistant Instructor. Individuals not possessing the preferred certification may be accepted for training only if they meet the following criteria:

Certification: Certification as NAUI Master Scuba Diver and NAUI Scuba Rescue Diver or their equivalent. Divers with evidence of equivalent training and experience may be enrolled provided they pass the NAUI Master Scuba Diver written examination with a minimum score of 75%.

Experience: Documentation of diving experience with a minimum of 25 logged open water dives. Dives shall be varied in environment, depth and activities.

Waterskills: Ability equivalent to that of a NAUI Assistant Instructor. Skills from the Assistant Instructor standards shall be evaluated if the candidate is not already certified as a NAUI Assistant Instructor