World's best dive master training

[amradron]

Hi all,
I have an exciting opportunity, and I want to make the most of it. I have the time to take a month and knock out my Divemaster training, as well as take a bit of vacation. I am a PADI Rescue Diver, with about 1k dives under my belt. I went through most of the Divemaster course 1:1 with a course director a few years ago, but had work get very busy for me and I never finished. I'd like to finish now, and now that I have the time, I'd like to get "the best" training that I can find. I know that there will be tons of opinions about this, but I am sure you all can give me a great set of places to start. I will not be working as a Divemaster full time right away, so post graduation placement doesn't really figure in, except as it helps otherwise measure the school.

Thanks!
Justin

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Just two comments...
I think it's a good idea to train where you'll be working as a DM.
Sometimes compressing DM training into one month isn't the best idea. Take your time and enjoy it.

 

[rob@diveinutila.com]

Doesn't the PADI DM have to completed within a year? I'm pretty sure but willing to be corrected.

 

[Doc]

Justin- With "1000 dives under your belt" (since 2004 with Malibu Divers), there isn't a whole lot to train you about, assuming you have the gift of learning through osmosis. The only thing you might have to learn is the "book learning" part, which is something that is self taught, anyway. That and a modicum of demonstration skills ability.

Remember that the written tests are the same as for the OWSI, so just "read and swallow" the encyclopedia of diving, remember what those 1,000 dive masters before you have done, and go do the DM course in ten days- be done with it.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Domestically, for you to get "just" DM in a month would be a custom cert for most of the outfits that specialize in Pro level training.

Sounds like a nice vacation month, as I think you need to think South Pacific! You could find what your looking for there, IMHO.

 

[DevonDiver]

Also bear in mind that the PADI course is undergoing some big changes during 2011. That may mean that there are new exercises and theory aspects which you didn't cover before. The new course has more emphasis on DM conducted programmes and dive-guiding, rather than being an instructor's assistant.

 

[openmindOW]

Justin, congratulations.

As an Instructor, I suggest you consider the following questions and issues.

First, how long ago, precisely, did you do some of the work with the CD? You might be able to finish with that CD. Have you contacted the DC?

Second, how much did you get done?

Third, where do you live? Do you want to learn locally? There is a cost benefit to learning at home.

Fourth, stay away from any Instructor or dive schoool that teaches to the minimum standards. If you talk to an individual Instructor, ask him whether he teaches only to the minimum standards or if he would expect you to go beyond the minimums. If he teaches to the bare minimums, cross him off your list.

If you talk to a shop, ask a similar question. Ask if the shop certifies Divemasters in only 7 days. Ask for the course schedule. If DMs get certified in only 7 days, avoid that shop.

Also, be wary of "Instructor factories," which take student money and crank out weak Instructors. Florida has some of those.

One test: If you find a shop on a canal in Florida, don't tell them you have over 100 dives. Rather, ask if dives in the canal would count toward the minimums. If the answer is yes, then run away from that shop.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions. Depending on where you are, I might be able to suggest a good local Instructor.

Good luck.

 

[Tortuga James]

My son went from AOW to DM in about a month in Roatan at Subway. He came back a very good Divemaster and jumped straight into mating for me on Tortuga, where he excelled as both a divemaster, but as a diving mate.

On the other hand, I did my DM work over a course of a year, entered the program as a very experienced diver, but had to learn the whole concept of overseeing other divers. I think either way is going to make a good DM if the starting diver has the capability of being a good DM.