I'm curious what you would consider a "wide enough range of conditions and dive sites" to warrant successfully leading divers. I tend to agree 50 dives isn't enough but what conditions would you say "meet the requirements" then, if you had to select different conditions a diver should have experience in before becoming a DM/instructor?
Very interesting question...I come from a military helicopter background which does not allow a newly wing graduated individual to become an helicopter instructor without having a minimum of one operational tour under its belt (three to four years with probably close to 1000 hrs on type). When reaching its first unit and operating a crewed platform, it may take two years for such a individual to achieve Pilot in Command of the platform. As part of the developmental process, these individuals have to go through a formalized upgrading program which will expose them to a variety of tasks and environment. Years of lessons learned and flight safety have shaped this process.
Is it possible to have them seen all possible situations and environments??? the answer is no but by that time, we expect that the individuals have not only enough tools in their toolbox to handle other situations but we also have a very good expectation that they will have the brain power to adapt them to unforessen situation. In addition, the standard is very well established and captured in reference material and checklist and individuals are subjected to periodical written and practical tests to ensure that they meet those minimum standards. As a standards officer and instructor, not only will you be assessed on your own flying proficiency but also on your specific duties (standards and/or instructing). The norm also calls for an independent standard officer to act as testing officer and not the instructor who just dispensed the training.
Am I proposing such a rigid system for scuba diving? Hell no. But presently, an individual could start DM training with 40 dives all pretty much accomplished at the local quarry where he also got OW, AOW, RD certified, graduates with a minimum of 60 (to include experience (???) in night, deep and navigation) and Bob's your uncle.
Personally, I would like to also see demonstrated experience and proficiency in boat, shore, still water, current (drift and no drift) and limited visibility conditions as a minimum and quite frankly I am still debating EAN and drysuit as add-on to the list. Why, because around here if you are going to act as a DM, those will be the conditions you will in all likelihood encountered as part of your duties. Number of dives, I understand this to be very subjective and arbitrary. Perhaps, the entry criterias, rather than relying on numbers should solely rest on demonstrated diving proficiency in those environments and the exit criterias...demonstrated proficiency in accomplishing your duties in said environments with said testing to be done by an independent testing officer, not the instructor. That way, both the individual (diver) and the organization (instructor/dive school) can be monitored in terms of standards.
Some folks might probably say ...no wonder he (me) does not demonstrate a burning desire to become a dive instructor especially after proposing such a system. Hey, as a helicopter pilot I have been exposed to that for the 25 years (out of 35 year total) I have spent in the cockpit as a pilot, standards, instructor and flying supervisors. I think I would still be able to live with such a system when it comes to diving. The question is...do I really want diving to become a job when I retire from my full time job or just dive for fun, assist when required or requested and attempt to be the best example I can be for others....
My .02 cents.
