Christiaan Smal
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What is the best way to prepare yourself?
to become a divemaster
- Thread starter Christiaan Smal
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In my opinion the best way to prelare is to articulate why you want to be a DM and what you hope to achieve. If for example you are looking to just become a better diver then seek out other training as the DM training is more focused on seeing how you plan and execute dives and respond to different situatuons...it does not specifically train ypu for those scenarios though....you typically have to bring that to the table with you.
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Hank49
Contributor
If you want to work as a DM, get experience in the conditions you will dive and work in. Indonesia and the Great Lakes require different training due to tides, currents, wet suit vs dry suit etc.
You could have 400 quarry dives but you will need to learn 3 meter tide change currents if you transfer to the Philippines. Every place is a bit different.
You could have 400 quarry dives but you will need to learn 3 meter tide change currents if you transfer to the Philippines. Every place is a bit different.
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Good stuff above for working as a DM.
To pass the course---
Study the material ahead of time a lot.
Get your swim stroke up to par and stamina by doing laps--unless you're already a swimmer. To pass the "stamina" tests.
Look over all the "components" of the course and get some ideas (for one, where you'll do your mapping project).
Practice the (24?) pool skills really slowly to demonstration quality so you can impress your instructor right away.
Be familiar with the shore sites where you will be DMing locally (if you aspire to). Especially where you will be assisting with courses as a DM candidate. Find the spots where the training flags are moored for classes to do their skills.
To pass the course---
Study the material ahead of time a lot.
Get your swim stroke up to par and stamina by doing laps--unless you're already a swimmer. To pass the "stamina" tests.
Look over all the "components" of the course and get some ideas (for one, where you'll do your mapping project).
Practice the (24?) pool skills really slowly to demonstration quality so you can impress your instructor right away.
Be familiar with the shore sites where you will be DMing locally (if you aspire to). Especially where you will be assisting with courses as a DM candidate. Find the spots where the training flags are moored for classes to do their skills.
The Chairman
Chairman of the Board
Assist in OW classes.
MichaelMc
Working toward Cenotes
Helping with classes seems the best. It helps show where you need work. It task loads you with helping and showing others while your gear and diving needs to be a solid assumption. Thus showing you where you need to tune your own stuff up a bit. Not sure how you do that outside of a DM program though.
Some ideas:
- Being a solid diver yourself first. Solid on all the things it is standard to either demo, or do on dives as you guide.
- informal leading/guiding/mentoring a bit less experienced friends.
- Some instructors let prior students repeat classes for free, that may let you 'assist' with out being a DM. You would count against instructor/student ratios unless you are a DM, but most classes should not be near the ratio limit anyway.
Folks really need more info from you beyond 'how do I become a DM'. Where, what are your options, long internship, only one shop in area, to guide, to help teach, from what level of experience, what part of the world, ...
Ahh: Netherlands, Advanced, rescue, night, Nitrox. 50-100 dives., all Padi. Ok. thats could be a decent base. And you have 10+ dive shops there.
Why is a big question:
- To be a better diver? Best to work on skills and experience instead. Maybe cavern, just for the skills. Maybe other agencies. GUE Fundamentals. Maybe intro to tech from a tech oriented agency, again just for the skills.
- To guide?
- To help teach?
For the class, you do have to do things to demonstration quality. But the best way to prepare for that is to get very solid in those skills. Then work on doing them in a smooth fashion that does not confuse the students.
Some ideas:
- Being a solid diver yourself first. Solid on all the things it is standard to either demo, or do on dives as you guide.
- informal leading/guiding/mentoring a bit less experienced friends.
- Some instructors let prior students repeat classes for free, that may let you 'assist' with out being a DM. You would count against instructor/student ratios unless you are a DM, but most classes should not be near the ratio limit anyway.
Folks really need more info from you beyond 'how do I become a DM'. Where, what are your options, long internship, only one shop in area, to guide, to help teach, from what level of experience, what part of the world, ...
Ahh: Netherlands, Advanced, rescue, night, Nitrox. 50-100 dives., all Padi. Ok. thats could be a decent base. And you have 10+ dive shops there.
Why is a big question:
- To be a better diver? Best to work on skills and experience instead. Maybe cavern, just for the skills. Maybe other agencies. GUE Fundamentals. Maybe intro to tech from a tech oriented agency, again just for the skills.
- To guide?
- To help teach?
For the class, you do have to do things to demonstration quality. But the best way to prepare for that is to get very solid in those skills. Then work on doing them in a smooth fashion that does not confuse the students.
OP
Christiaan Smal
New
Thank you for all your tips.
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