TDI Divemaster advancement?

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

stuartv

Seeking the Light
ScubaBoard Supporter
Scuba Instructor
Messages
11,573
Reaction score
8,124
Location
Lexington, SC
# of dives
500 - 999
I read the info on the TDI website regarding being a TDI Divemaster.

I'm currently certified for Helitrox. So, from the website, my understanding is that if I do a TDI DM program, I will be certified to lead dives up to the Helitrox level.

If I get the DM cert and THEN go on to do TDI Trimix training and get that cert, am I automatically then certified to act as a DM for Trimix dives?

If not, what would I have to do? Do I have to repeat the whole DM program again just to go from DM'ing a Helitrox dive to DM'ing a Trimix dive?
 
Hey Stuartv

Yes when you do your TDI DM (pre-req is that you need to be a SDI DM by the way) then you are certified to act as DM for your current level. You are automatically upgraded as your user-level progresses.

Hope that helps
 
I read the info on the TDI website regarding being a TDI Divemaster.

I'm currently certified for Helitrox. So, from the website, my understanding is that if I do a TDI DM program, I will be certified to lead dives up to the Helitrox level.

If I get the DM cert and THEN go on to do TDI Trimix training and get that cert, am I automatically then certified to act as a DM for Trimix dives?

If not, what would I have to do? Do I have to repeat the whole DM program again just to go from DM'ing a Helitrox dive to DM'ing a Trimix dive?

first an SDI DM. Then you can get a TDI DM and be qualified for any level you are certified to.
 
get a TDI DM and be qualified for any level you are certified to.

Right. I said that in my OP. My question is:

I'm currently certified for Helitrox.
...
If I get the DM cert and THEN go on to do TDI Trimix training and get that cert, am I automatically then certified to act as a DM for Trimix dives?

And no disrespect to you or thewave, but this subforum description says "Post your questions for our friendly staff here." So, I posted specifically in this subforum because I would really like to get an official statement from TDI on the subject. Or at least a link to something on the TDI website that specifically answers my question.

If I were certfied as an Instructor for TDI AN/DP and then I got my Trimix Diver C card, I would not think that that would automatically mean I am certified to teach Trimix. So, I don't feel comfortable assuming that a DM cert automatically upgrades, either.

Also, the TDI website lists in the DM prereqs this statement:

"Certified as technical diver for which they are applying as a TDI Divemaster in" (from here: TDI Divemaster | SDI | TDI | ERDI)

This implies to me that if I'm a Helitrox diver and get a DM cert, then I have become a Helitrox DM. And it implies to me that if I become a Trimix Diver, I would have to apply again to be a Trimix DM.

This may all sound silly and academic. But, I am trying to avoid a situation down the road where I become a Helitrox DM, then I become a Trimix Diver, then I lead a Trimix dive as the DM, then I get named in a lawsuit and TDI says "we're not responsible because Stuart was not actually certified as a Trimix DM."

I just want to know what the official process is.
 
Generally speaking at the deco/trimix level, you arn't really leading anything like a typical DM.

And it's far easier to just call TDI HQ. They can answer your question in all of 10 seconds.
 
Generally speaking at the deco/trimix level, you arn't really leading anything like a typical DM.

And it's far easier to just call TDI HQ. They can answer your question in all of 10 seconds.

I would prefer to get an answer in writing. And have it available for anyone else to find that has the same question in the future.

And, since so many people seem to want to tell me I don't need to get an answer to this question at all, let me give a more specific example to illustrate why I'm asking the question.

I'm a Helitrox diver. I get a TDI DM card. Now I can assist with teaching Helitrox classes and be covered by my professional liability insurance.

Then I get a TDI Trimix Diver card. Is it automatic that I can now assist with teaching Trimix classes and be covered by my professional liability insurance?
 
And no disrespect to you or thewave, but this subforum description says "Post your questions for our friendly staff here." So, I posted specifically in this subforum because I would really like to get an official statement from TDI on the subject. Or at least a link to something on the TDI website that specifically answers my question.

The best way I have found to get an official statement is to email them or use their chat feature on the website. Not sure how often, or even if they check this forum since John departed from the SDI/TDI
 
The best way I have found to get an official statement is to email them or use their chat feature on the website. Not sure how often, or even if they check this forum since John departed from the SDI/TDI

Thanks. I'll try that.
 
I emailed TDI HQ with this question last week. I finally got a response back. I'm posting it here for the edification of any future potential DM candidates that may have the same question.

"Hi Stuart,

If you meet all of the prerequisites for the Technical Divemaster and complete the course as a Helitrox Diver you will be able to assist in the Helitrox courses. If you then take the Trimix course and complete the diver level certification, you will be able to assist the instructor in the Trimix courses with nothing else needing to be completed.

If you have any more questions please let know, and enjoy your course!

Keep exploring,

Dillon Waters
Training & Membership Services
SDI/TDI/ERDI"
 
Sounds pretty similar to most of the answers you got here.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

Back
Top Bottom