what's a "DMT"

[diverrick]

On a recent dive vacation I noticed I could not here from my right ear after diving for a few days, and it was getting worse every day. I decided to skip a dive, and go see the guy all the locals called the "Doc".
When I arrived at the HBC (hyperbaric Clinic), I met this guy who was not actually a Dr. of Medicine, but what he called a "DMT"
I had never hard of this certification, but I am interested in it, as I used to hold First aid, CPR, EMT I, and EMT II certs. I was wondering if anyone knows about this DMT (decompression medical tech, or Diver medical tech, don't know which one is correct) How long does it take to get one, and is there any call for this if you were looking to get paid for having it? Seems to me there would be a limited need for decompression techs, but a dive tech might be needed at alot of resort areas. The reason I ask, is that my wife and I want to retire early, and move somewhere tropical, where the diving is good, and we are looking for some sort of income stream to help augment our retirement years.

 

[rmediver2002]

The term is "Dive medical technician" and is the disignator given by the Navy to corpsmen who have recieved special training in recompression operations.

The term is used interchangably within the civilian community for commercial hyperbaric or (life support) technicians, and medical O2 chamber technicians.

Here is some sites for training and information:

http://www.hyperbaricsintl.com/

http://www.uhms.org/

 

[Table6A]

DMT's are usually military or commercial divers and/or hyperbaric technicians. DMT stands for either "Diver Medical Technician", "Diving Medical Technologist" or any variation along those lines (depending on certifying agency and/or employer). DMTs are universally called "Diver Medics". DMT certification is granted by both the National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology, as well as, the International Board of Undersea Medicine. The NBDHMT is more widely recognized in the USA if you are seeking employment as a DMT.

Kip Stubbs CHT DMT

 

[Wildcard]

40 hour class for the basic. In the very near future , there will be a growing need for hyperbaric techs. It's not just for DCS anymore!

 

[H2Andy]

this is really interesting. at the NBDHMT, they list the following requirments (not all):

-- Must provide documentation showing Emergency Medicine Training.

-- Must provide a copy of Diving Medicine Course, or service equivalent, certificate
taught by one of our approved instructors.

http://www.nbdhmt.org/index_ie.htm

could someone explain how involved/long/difficult these two prerequistes are?

 

[alcina]

LOL...just be careful, in some areas a DMT is a Dive Master in Training and some think they know everything about anything :11:

 

[Table6A]

To apply for DMT certification (at least when I did it 10 years ago) you will need to provide a copy of your state or national registry EMT (Basic or higher), your diploma from a commercial or military diving school, and a certificate of completion of "Module 16" (DOT's name for the 40 hour Diver Medic course). All in all I completed the above in 9 months...but I only did one course at a time. At one time they had a DMT Associate, but I don't know if that is still true. It was for non-commercial/military divers.

Contact Pauline Poletti via the NBDHMT website for more info. She is very friendly and quite helpful.

Kip Stubbs CHT DMT

 

[H2Andy]

some think they know everything about anything :11:

wow.... then i've been a DMT all along! who knew??

 

[goodknight411]

Has anyone heard about a Hyperbaric medicine or dive medicine program for nurses?

 

[Table6A]

Nurses in Hyperbaric Medicine usually take the CHT (Certified Hyperbaric Technologist). Some move on to the various levels of CHRN. Info is available througn the Baromedical Nurses Association and the National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology.

The websites are:

http://www.hyperbaricnurses.org/

http://www.nbdhmt.org/index_ie.htm​

Hope this was helpful,

Kip Stubbs CHT DMT