Upgraded DCSI - Science of Diving, Dive Guide, Dive Master, etc.

[eponym]

I'm a Dive Control Specialist Instructor with a couple of year's experience teaching at that level. I just passed the exam to upgrade to teaching SSI's new professional level courses (DiveGuide, DiveMaster, revised DiveCon) and the new Science of Diving specialty course (the key component of the DiveMaster rating).

I would be happy to share my impressions of the new standards, training materials, and tests (including the instructor upgrade exam) with other candidates, instructors, and potential candidates. Questions here or by PM are equally good.

In quick sketch, as I now understand it, SSI have pulled the material on physics, physiology, and acting as divemaster out of the existing DiveCon course. The DiveGuide rating is about leading certified divers and keeping them safe. The DiveMaster rating is earned after the "Science of Diving" specialty (physics, physiology, environment). The DiveCon course is now primarily about being an assistant instructor.

Additions or corrections to my understanding of the new ratings is also welcome.

I like the addition of these new steps between recreational diver ratings and the assistant instructor rating. I will be trying to schedule a Science of Diving course in September, calling our local Advanced and Master divers who might be interested. I'm already thinking of four or five outside references (like those from Mark Powell, John Lippmann, and Jolie Bookspan) to use to supplement the training materials. I would enjoy hearing from (and sharing ideas with) other instructors contemplating this course for the first time. The new watermanship requirements are very interesting . . .

-Bryan

 

[rlskill1]

I'm still looking thru my materials, But what are the Watermanship requirements? Is that a swim, snorkel swim, and survival float?

What are the references from Powell, Lippmann, and Bookspan?

Ever see a time when DiveCons will be able to teach Science of Diving?

I think SoD should be in the DCS course. Those taking the DCS course bypassing the DM course wouldn't be required to take SoD.

Roger

 

[tstormdiver]

SoD can be taught at the AOWSI level, so I doubt you'll see Dive Cons teaching SoD any time soon. From my understanding, Candidates now go through a Dive Guide course, then by completing the SoD course, are eligible for Dive Master level & then by taking a Dive Con course can complete that level. When I went through 4 yrs ago, it was all the way through Dive Con. No step up through the levels. I am preparing to go through a DCSI course sometime this next year.

 

[eponym]

Well, it's been a year and a half since I made that opening post. I've had five candidates with the new courses so far (one dropped out due to a back injury). What I like best about the new sequence is the increased number of application dives required. Lots of opportunities to fine-tune briefings, judgement, control, and teamwork. What I like least is the SoD manual. Not enough on equipment and deco theory, too much abstract math for math's sake.

I'm still looking thru my materials, But what are the Watermanship requirements? Is that a swim, snorkel swim, and survival float?

The student materials should IMO include outlines of the five watermanship evaluations and the application dives. I'll hunt those down and post them here later.

What are the references from Powell, Lippmann, and Bookspan?

The books Deco for Divers, Deeper into Diving, and Diving Physiology in Plain English, respectively. Today I also use parts of Steve Lewis's The Six Skills and, just for giggles, Dennis Jacobson's The Scuba Snobs' Guide to Diving Etiquette.

Ever see a time when DiveCons will be able to teach Science of Diving?

Interesting question. It's a non-diving specialty, and DiveCons can (after the Training Specialist rating) teach some non-diving specialties like Equipment and Fish ID. So in theory it might (eventually) be allowed. But how many recreational divers would want to plow through the math section just for fun?

I think SoD should be in the DCS course. Those taking the DCS course bypassing the DM course wouldn't be required to take SoD.

I wonder what the DM course would then include? SoD is the only component right now.


-Bryan

 

[eponym]

Here are the handouts I mentioned. They give the candidates an overview of what will be required of them.

-Bryan

View attachment Dive Con Application Outlines.pdf

View attachment Dive Guide Application Outlines.pdf

View attachment Dive Guide Watermanship Details.pdf

PS. I also use portions of JJ's Doing it Right: the Fundamentals of Better Diving in the pro courses.

 

[rick00001967]

this is a great posting. glad i found it. if you are still listening......are these the actual ssi requirements or are they the standards your shop has come up with ??
only asking because i am about the begin the dive guide portion soon. and i have not heard any mention of the water requirements listed other than the 800 meter swim. and there was never a mention of any "points system". i was told we had to complete the 800 meter swim in under 15 minutes. the posting you put up sounds like a good way of doing it though. i hope that is the way we will be graded.
thx
rick

Here are the handouts I mentioned. They give the candidates an overview of what will be required of them.

-Bryan

View attachment 109544

View attachment 109545

View attachment 109546

PS. I also use portions of JJ's Doing it Right: the Fundamentals of Better Diving in the pro courses.

 

[eponym]

this is a great posting. glad i found it. if you are still listening . . . are these the actual ssi requirements or are they the standards your shop has come up with?

Those are the SSI practical requirements as of that time. I don't think they've changed, but I could be wrong.

 

[rick00001967]

thx. i'm gonna have to start training hard for those if i ever expect to pass that portion of the course. i'm not the worlds greatest swimmer thats for sure. i was invited to join an underwater hockey group recently. i think i'll give that a whirl. that should help build up my breath holding skills.
thx for the info
rick
btw.....i just wrote my science of diving tonight. studied two weeks. got a 90%. whoot whoot !!

 

[rogngirls]

Rick,
I just finished up my divecon, yes the pdf's that he had online are accurate, with the exception that I do not see the breath hold swim listed..we had to swim 3 laps underwater on one breath. A suggestion, if you smoke, stop, and if you know any freedivers, they use a prebreath technique..learn it and use it..it will make it easier to handle that portion of the swim. You will have to have everything for your master diver, then take the course for dive guide, once you complete that, you will take the SOD. Study this one hard as it is the hardest portion of the entire class. After you obtain your SOD, you can take the divecon class. Feel free to drop me a line if you need any further info.
Good luck, and if I can do it, so can you!!!
Roger

 

[rick00001967]

thx for the encouragement and the tips.