Divemaster Course

[kuki9591]

Hi,

I'm interested in taking a Divemaster course and am considering taking it in Sharm during the autumn, the dive centre claims the course can be completed in two weeks providing I do all the necessary self study before I go out there. My question, is it possibe to complete a worth while DM programme in two weeks?

I have considered doing it in the UK, however divecentres all insist on Sunday morning attendance at Stoney Cove (cannot do weekends at Stoney, nothing to do with the site).

Any comments, advice, touts to sell materials welcome.

M

[johntemp]

I personally did an internship in the UK.
I selected that option because I wanted to gain experience at the same time as doing the academic work.

Whether you do it here or abroad, I certainly recommend the internship route if you want to get the most out of the course.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by kuki9591

My question, is it possible to complete a worth while DM programme in two weeks?

Why do you want the ticket? It is possible to do one (DM) in two weeks and it is worthwhile in that you get some dive training. If you want to BE an active DM then the internship offers some experience, but if you can't do stoney at the weekend etc. why be a DM?

I think a lot of folks do DM just because its the "next level" in the PADI system. I think this is crap and its much better to go to the next level in diving as opposed to PADI. Advanced trox and deco is the next step IMHO.

Of course if you are heading towards the OWSI route then DM is the way to go and all the best (and the answer to the OP is NO).

Chris

[kuki9591]

Originally Posted by chrisch

Why do you want the ticket?
Chris

Next year I am likely to be made redundant ( a good thing) and I want to take the oppurtunity to travel for 3 - 6 months. The DM ticket will give me more options.

Originally Posted by chrisch

but if you can't do stoney at the weekend etc. why be a DM?
Chris

sorry, I don't understand that question!!!

M

[johntemp]

Originally Posted by chrisch

Why do you want the ticket? It is possible to do one (DM) in two weeks and it is worthwhile in that you get some dive training. If you want to BE an active DM then the internship offers some experience, but if you can't do stoney at the weekend etc. why be a DM?

I think a lot of folks do DM just because its the "next level" in the PADI system. I think this is crap and its much better to go to the next level in diving as opposed to PADI. Advanced trox and deco is the next step IMHO.

Of course if you are heading towards the OWSI route then DM is the way to go and all the best (and the answer to the OP is NO).

Chris

Agree to a certain amount but the DM course is very good in it's own right.
I personally didn't care for the instructional elements (i.e. the parts that transition you towards being an instructor) but the elements such as the mapping project and the physics and physiology are very good.

I went on to do the TDI adv nitrox and deco procedures and found them very straightforward following the DM course.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by kuki9591

Next year I am likely to be made redundant ( a good thing) and I want to take the oppurtunity to travel for 3 - 6 months. The DM ticket will give me more options.

If you will have the time between now and then to get some DM experience the two week course is OK. What anyone is looking for is some experience whether or not you are UK based. My point about stoney weekend stuff is this is when the internship or experience is likely to occur. If you just get the ticket now then turn up somewhere in July 07 the first question is what DMing have you done since getting the ticket. If the answer is "none" the job offer will be a long time coming.

Chris

[John N]

Originally Posted by kuki9591

Hi,

I'm interested in taking a Divemaster course and am considering taking it in Sharm during the autumn, the dive centre claims the course can be completed in two weeks providing I do all the necessary self study before I go out there. My question, is it possibe to complete a worth while DM programme in two weeks?

I have considered doing it in the UK, however divecentres all insist on Sunday morning attendance at Stoney Cove (cannot do weekends at Stoney, nothing to do with the site).

Any comments, advice, touts to sell materials welcome.

M

I've seen it done in Sharm in two weeks. My personal opinion is that it is a bad option. Everything was very rushed for that student and they didn't enjoy it like those of us who took more time. You will also learn less (obviously). There is more to the course than skill circuits, physical tests and passing the exams.
The art of running a dive boat, briefing and dealing with customers is something you will not learn in two weeks.

If you have three to six months, I would suggest that you take the course then when you have more time. You can then stay on at the same resort or travel with your skills and experience fresh from the course. This can be quite useful.

Alternatively, call around some different dive centres. If you can't do weekends it will be difficult to do practical open water DM stuff. You could start your training doing mid-week pool sessions though. You could also do the skill circuits, the theory and the exams.
It may work out more expensive but then you could get a referral to finish it off abroad with more time to concentrate on the softer aspects of the job.
It is important to remember that as a DM trainee you might be a pack mule for kit, but you are also a paying customer. Dive centre's who don't remember that don't deserve your business.

Just a few thoughts.

[kuki9591]

Appreciate the comments, but to ease your concerns, I have been diving the PADI and BSAC systems for quite sometime. I have for several years and continue to do so, assist in Ocean diver and Sports diver training sessions.

I don't care much for badges, and once my travels are complete, I doubt I will use the DM cert again. But I do look forward to expanding my knowledge and learning new things.

M

[parahandy]

IMHO Even in a dive resort environment( let alone weekends) what youre going to learn on a Divemaster course in 2 weeks is only going to give you the basics. The course if run correctly is good, but you can only learn so much in the time.

As pointed out by Chrisch and in the other posts if youre thinking of using the DM Ticket on the employment market the employer is going to be looking at your experience as a divemaster The reality here is that in the market place your going to be competing with more experienced divemasters, Open water instructors. The markets pretty competative Divemaster wise in fact i'm of the opinion certainly abroad that most of the better dive outfits now want someone at the minimim with an(owsi) instructors ticket and preferably the ability to teach specialities, over the past few years this has started to become the industry norm.

I would also agree with the sentiments of don't get hung up on the course Con ed treadmill,Enjoy your diving and progress at youre rate. On the can't attend Stoney thing are there no alternatives they can offer?.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by kuki9591

...I have for several years and continue to do so, assist in Ocean diver and Sports diver training sessions.

I'm sure this would count for something. Could you perhaps complete the BSAC OWI and teach a little? This would also help.

However, please bear in mind that the majority of the world is PADI and therefore what will get you work/free diving/accomodation etc. is PADI DM experience. What the dive centre is looking for is someone that can do Scuba review and guided dives. They will not know what SEEDS are!!

If the sharm DM is the best (only?) option for you try to make up the experience elsewhere, maybe your PADI LDS would let you help out? There are oportunities out there esp. if you have language skills.

Hope it all works out for you.

Chris