Accelerated Divemaster programs?

[ccs5t]

I was looking through potential locations and dive shops to maybe do my Divemaster Course this summer and I was completely shocked by the range of prices and time periods.

For example from a Domican dive shop I was told
"The Dive Master costs 900 $ (12 days minimum without the theory)"

What exactly does this mean? I thought the theory was what was tested hence the main part of the course so how could the course be taught without the theory?

Thanks for your help

 

[DBailey]

Many places offer tutoring/review sessions for the theory portions for an additional fee and at scheduled times.

The $900 and 12 day minimum should include the theory exams, but no additional theory education.

I made it through the theory portions with the information from the Encyclopedia and the Dive Master book. Some people only need help with the physics portion. While others might need help with every section.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

More importantly is why you feel you should become a dive master with less than 50 dives under you?

 

[Reg Braithwaite]

More importantly is why you feel you should become a dive master with less than 50 dives under you?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Why would you want an accelerated course to begin with? Just makes it harder to be taken seriously as a DM. ANd why not do it locally if that's where you'll be diving? Zero to hero courses are seldom worth the extra money unless you only want the card for show.

 

[ccs5t]

Sorry i got around 60 dives now since my advanced course. How much time is involved learning the theory?

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

My bad, 60 dives is plenty of experience to make you qualified to watch over other divers

Rather than the dive master courses look into something like the "master diver" programs that are aimed to put you into as many different types of diving as possible. At least that way you build on your skills and you dont need to carry special insurance.

Or better yet go take a DIR fundamentals course...

 

[DBailey]

Sorry i got around 60 dives now since my advanced course. How much time is involved learning the theory?

Since no one else seems inclined to actually answer your questions...

For me, it was the time it took to read each section. Some of the theory exams are soley based on the reading. Other theory exams require some math and calculations to get to the answer.

For example, as a diver you should already know how to complete RDP problems. So for the RDP section, you might have to learn to use the wheel for a couple of problems and read up on decompression history/theories.

For the physics section, I am an engineer by trade and therefore knew all of the material before studying to be a divemaster. On the flip side, I have tutored people for the physics portion for the better part of a week before they understood it.

As for the other posters, none of them can assess your diving ability from the internet. If you feel your dive skills are up to snuff, then look into the course. A well run course will wash you out if your skills/diving are not good enough.

 

[RJP]

Sorry i got around 60 dives now since my advanced course. How much time is involved learning the theory?

Don't forget to ask for the nifty "Accelerated DM" patch...

I had more than 100 dives when I started my DM training. By the time I got my card- about 14mo later - I had 200 dives, and had worked with more than 50 real students in about 10 different classes.

I can't imagine getting anywhere near the same training in 12 days.

 

[don Francisco]

Decide what you want out of your divemaster course, then find someone who'll provide that.

If you just want to be a divemaster, meaning being certified, there are lots of places that turn out certified divemasters.

If you want to be a skilled, qualified divemaster, that's a different ball of wax. Look for an instructor with standards above the minimum required by the agencies. The best instructors aren't interested in just cranking out divemasters, they want to train top divemasters, and say things like "I won't certify you until I think your're qualified", or "I don't certify divemasters until they're good enough that I'd hire them"

At that, depending on your actual skill level, you'll find that many of the better instructors will put you off until you have more experience.

Overall, if you're sincerely interested in being a highly qualified divemaster, take your time and become a great diver first, then find the best instructor you can and do it right.