Untitled Document



 

Register today and make this ad disappear!

Welcome to ScubaBoard, an online scuba diving forum community where you can join over 100,000 divers from around the world discussing all things related to Scuba Diving. To gain full access to ScubaBoard you must register for a free account. As a registered member you will be able to:
  • Participate in over 500 dive topic forums and browse from over 3,000,000 posts.
  • Communicate privately with other divers from around the world.
  • Post your own photos or view from 80,000 user submitted images.
  • Gain access to our free classifieds marketplace to buy, sell and trade gear, travel and services.
  • Use the calendar to organize your events and enroll in other members' events.
All this and much more is available to you absolutely free when you register for an account, so sign up today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact the ScubaBoard Support Team.

Go Back   ScubaBoard - Scuba Diving Forums and Social Network > Scuba Diving Central > Basic Scuba Discussions > Going Pro
Forums Register Today's Posts Calendar

Going Pro Everything Dive Master Candidates and future Dive Cons always wanted to know but were afraid to ask...


Reply Please note: The last reply in this thread was more than 1 month(s) ago.
 
LinkBack (3) Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old August 14th, 2007, 12:29 PM   #1
Scuba Instructor
 
Joe-Diver's Avatar

Status
Badge
Profile Info
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
Logged Dives: 200 - 499
Stats
Posts: 664
Photos: (25) View Gallery
Trader Rating: (2)
I See PADI Divemaster Exam Study Guide

Since this topic comes up quite a bit, I thought I'd post a quick snippet of what to study for each of the 8 exams:

Study Materials

PADI Divemaster Manual
Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
Diving Knowledge Workbook
PADI Rescue Diver Manual
PADI Open Water Diver Manual
PADI Adventures in Diving Manual
PADI Instructor Manual
The Business of Diving
The Law and the Diving Professional
Children and Diving

Study Strategy

Read the sections in the manuals and Encyclopedia to get an overview of what will be covered. Do this for each exam you're focusing on, rather than trying to do it all at once. Some Instructors will let you take each exam separately rather than doing all 8 at once, so ask if you can do this. Don't be too obsessed with picking up everything just yet. Now go back and complete the Diving Knowledge Workbook, re-reading and studying the Resources for the Objective. Score yourself fairly. If you missed it, go back and study the Resource for the Objective and try again until you understand. You can always ask your Instructor for a class session on the topic!

Physics Exam

This is the one that most people sweat about and for most it is the hardest test. Read chapter 4 in the Encyclopedia and then complete section 1 in the Workbook. Understand the gas laws and know how to use the formulas. When you have a question that starts at one depth and asks you to solve for another depth, always take it to the surface, then back down. Make notes for yourself, defining the gas laws and formulas in the simplest terms you understand so you can quickly review your notes right before the exam.

Physiology Exam

Read chapter 5 in the Encyclopedia, up to Decompression Models. Read chapter 4 of the Rescue Diver Manual. Complete section 2 in the Workbook.

Equipment Exam

Read chapter 1 and chapter 3 in the Encyclopedia. Read chapter 2 in the Rescue Diver Manual. Complete section 3 in the Workbook. There are a couple of references to the Open Water Diver Manual, Adventures in Diving and the Deep Diver manual, so skim those as directed in the Workbook.

Decompression Theory and the RDP Exam

Read chapter 5 in the Encyclopedia, starting from Decompression Models. Read chapter 5 in the Divemaster Manual. Review each of the booklets: RDP, Wheel, eRDP and master the use of each. Complete section 5 in the Workbook.

Dive Skills and Environment Exam

Use section 4 of the Workbook to guide you through this one. You'll be reviewing parts of the Open Water Diver Manual, Adventures in Diving Manual, Rescue Diver Manual, and the Encyclopedia. This is a good time to read chapter 2 in the Encyclopedia.

Divemaster Conducted Programs Exam

Read chapter 6 in the Divemaster Manual. Look over the associated sections in the Instructor Manual. Learn how to look things up in the Instructor Manual and become familiar with it. USE the Instructor Manual during the exam!! You are allowed to do this.

Supervising Certified Divers Exam

Read chapter 2 in the Divemaster Manual. Watch the Divemaster video for this.

Supervising Students Exam

Read chapter 3 in the Divemaster Manual. Watch the Divemaster video for this.

I used this basic strategy to study and prepare for each of the exams, and had no problems with them. Although not part of the exams, it's good idea to also study:

Risk Management

Read chapter 7 in the Divemaster Manual. Read Children and Diving. Read The Law and the Diving Professional. Understand your role in Risk Management and mitigation of risk.

Diving Business

Read chapters 8 & 9 in the Divemaster Manual. Read The Business of Diving. It's a bit dated but still has some useful info in it. I'd like to see an update that addresses the Internet, because like it or not, agree with it or not, it's here and part of the equation now.

Watch the Divemaster video, study the above material and above all, have fun!! Divemaster is where you "learn it all" so put forth an effort and you will be greatly rewarded. Please, anyone feel free to add to this with their own tips and tricks.
__________________
Joe-Diver is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
These 9 members have said "Thank you." to Joe-Diver for this useful post:
Old August 14th, 2007, 06:17 PM   #2
ScubaBoard Supporter
 
DiverBizz's Avatar

Status
Go Red - Support SB!
Profile Info
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: So. CA
Logged Dives: 100 - 199
Stats
Posts: 505
I agree with the Diving Business info. about the need to address the internet. Nice post. I agree but it was not so difficult to pass the test once the chapters were read and the Diving Knowledge Workbook was completed. Preparation was the best thing to do.
__________________
Dive Safe.
A diver suspected of having decompression sickness should? A. stop diving, breathe emergency oxygen and seek emergency medical care. or
B. don't tell anyone because your friends will make fun of you.
DiverBizz is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old August 14th, 2007, 08:39 PM   #3
Scuba Instructor
 
rawls's Avatar

Status
Badge
Profile Info
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NC...Soon to be Carteret County.
Logged Dives: 500 - 999
Stats
Posts: 1,384
Photos: (119) View Gallery
Don't forget the Standards exam...I hated the Standards exam...
rawls is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old August 14th, 2007, 09:34 PM   #4
Scuba Instructor
 
Joe-Diver's Avatar

Status
Badge
Profile Info
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
Logged Dives: 200 - 499
Stats
Posts: 664
Photos: (25) View Gallery
Trader Rating: (2)
Standards I believe is part of the DM Conducted Programs exam.
__________________
Joe-Diver is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old August 14th, 2007, 09:46 PM   #5
IDC Staff Instructor
 
Crowley's Avatar

Status
Profile Info
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Planet Crowley
Logged Dives: 500 - 999
Just a couple of baht's worth:

For the theory, I would recommend following the diving knowledge workbook and completing it in the small sections laid out in the book. It will say "read this section then answer the following questions" - for example in Physics, you concentrate on archimedes' prinicple; get that right then move on to Boyle's law, rather than reading the whole chapter then trying to go through the workbook.

If you're not so hot on some of the theory then breaking it down into easily managed chunks will help.

Good advice from the post though!
__________________
Crowley is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old August 15th, 2007, 04:06 AM   #6
Dive Master
 
SharkDZ's Avatar

Status
Badge
Profile Info
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Logged Dives: 100 - 199
Stats
Posts: 156
Joe-Diver,

Thanks for the information! I'll be taking the exams on the 22nd.
__________________
Shark
PADI OW/AOW/Rescue/EANx/DES/MSD/AI-235531
SharkDZ is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old August 15th, 2007, 09:24 AM   #7
Scuba Instructor
 
Joe-Diver's Avatar

Status
Badge
Profile Info
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
Logged Dives: 200 - 499
Stats
Posts: 664
Photos: (25) View Gallery
Trader Rating: (2)
SharkDZ - Good luck! Study hard and you'll do well. The exams really aren't that hard, especially if you know the material.

C - Your study advice is sound and is what I also recommend in the Study Strategy. An initial read to get familiar, then focusing on the specifics, guided by the Workbook to reinforce the important points.
__________________
Joe-Diver is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old August 15th, 2007, 08:02 PM   #8
ScubaBoard Supporter
 
DiverBizz's Avatar

Status
Go Red - Support SB!
Profile Info
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: So. CA
Logged Dives: 100 - 199
Stats
Posts: 505
Study, Study, relax, complete the workbook, study, review the workbook questions, and remember to breath.
__________________
Dive Safe.
A diver suspected of having decompression sickness should? A. stop diving, breathe emergency oxygen and seek emergency medical care. or
B. don't tell anyone because your friends will make fun of you.
DiverBizz is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old August 15th, 2007, 09:16 PM   #9
Scuba Instructor
 
rawls's Avatar

Status
Badge
Profile Info
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NC...Soon to be Carteret County.
Logged Dives: 500 - 999
Stats
Posts: 1,384
Photos: (119) View Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe-Diver
Standards I believe is part of the DM Conducted Programs exam
You are absolutely correct...Thanks for the correction...Was thinking in terms of the IE
rawls is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old August 15th, 2007, 10:33 PM   #10
Dive Master
 
creamofwheat's Avatar

Status
Badge
Profile Info
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: British Columbia
Logged Dives: 100 - 199
Stats
Posts: 577
Photos: (1) View Gallery
Trader Rating: (1)
There are 10 exams? I thought there were 8. I've done 3.
__________________
Thanks to naclydogg for my avatar
creamofwheat is offline
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!Spurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/going-pro/198155-padi-divemaster-exam-study-guide.html
Posted By For Type Date
Tassie Divers • View topic - PADI Divemaster Exam Guide This thread Refback February 17th, 2008 05:51 PM
PADI Divemaster Exam Study Guide - Page 3 - ScubaBoard This thread Refback January 16th, 2008 01:25 PM
ScubaBoard - Going Pro This thread Refback November 18th, 2007 08:55 PM

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Divemaster 'Practical' Final Exam b1gcountry Going Pro 6 April 16th, 2007 05:56 AM
Divemaster final exam (theory) stephhhhh Basic Scuba Discussions 9 March 23rd, 2007 09:50 PM
WTB: PADI Divemaster Kit Duncan Campbell Gear / Equipment Classifieds 0 January 30th, 2006 09:59 PM
(Indonesia) PADI Divemaster program that is NOT self-study