What are the Dive con requirements?

[MuddyRubberDuck]

I have read through this section and can't figure out a couple things.

Exactly which courses Must you have to start Dive Con. What all is usually involved with becoming one? If you have CPR and first aid with AED, do you have to take theirs. I just graduated the police academy and got cert for First aid CPR and AED. How long does the Process usually take. I am currently NAUI OW, SDI Nitrox.

Also, I want to take a Deco class, what are the pre reqs to that?

I could go over to the dive shop, but its sunday and I'm impatient. So, I wanna know now.

Thanks
Neil

 

[Bappelt]

To complete Dive Con you must have the equivalent of the SSI Master Diver which includes 4 specialities and the stress and rescue course and have 60 dives. Plus you must have first aid, cpr, and now O2 provider. You can start your training before that if your LDS allows it but all of that must be completed before certifying as a Dive Con.

 

[jscott099]

The CPR/FA/O2 can be from any accredited agency. You'll need to be affiliated with an SSI dive shop. They don't usually just schedule a DiveCon class on the fly and usually not for just one person. There are academics (most of which you study on your own). There will be stand up classes. Expect all that to be about 8-12 weeks. The more time consuming part is the apprenticeship. You will spend as much time as possible (with as many different instructors as possible) watching and observing how classes are taught. The shop may even require you to wear the gear they sell (or at least what all the instructors are wearing).

You should be an expert in your basic dive skills (demonstration quality). You will need to be expert in your local diving conditions. You want to be top flight in your navigation and group control skills. You will need to be completely proficient at your rescue diver skills.

Regarding deco diving. You will need to have Nitrox already and also take an Advanced Nitrox class before proceeding. The gear requirements are extensive and expensive. Your instructor will tell you exactly what. Most recommend 100 dives prior. Depending on local conditions you may even need a dry suit. Several agencies teach deco so you can shop around. Be prepared to answer the question 'why do you want to learn deco procedures'. You can look at the other board entries for deco diving (or technical diving) for more depth.

 

[R2K2]

SSI just changed their standards for 2010, they now have Dive Guide, Dive Master and Divecon. The Divecon now requires you to be a DM first and have 75 dives before you finish the course.

http://www.divessi.com/d/SSI Training Standards/USA/SSI_2010 Standards.ssp5.

Excerpts from the manual listed below:

Divecon Prerequisites:
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Own a Total Diving System of professional type and
quality.
• Have a current medical exam for scuba diving not
older than 1 year and signed by a licensed medical
practitioner.
• Be certified as an active Divemaster level or
equivalent.
• Logged no less then 60 open water dives totaling 40
hours or more.
6. Training Requirements for Certification and Active Status:
• Logged no less then 75 open water dives totaling 50
hours or more.
• Maintain proof of current training in First Aid &
CPR.
• Maintain proof of being competent in emergency
administration of oxygen. This shall include
knowledge of the medical principles involved and
practical use of an emergency oxygen unit.
• Display leadership behaviours as well as passing all
requirements listed in the program curriculum.
• Pass a watermanship and skill evaluation.
• Pass a Final Exam with a minimum score of 90%.
• Comply with all annual Renewal procedures.
• Maintain Professional Liability Insurance (where
applicable).
• Work through an active SSI Dive Center or SSI Dive
Resort.
7. Program Duration: The recommended hours for the
Dive Control Specialist program is 50.

 

[carrielsal]

You definately want to talk to the LDS. They may have additional requirements. At my LDS we were required to have equipment repair and diving for science (winter classes are held at a protected spring that requires this cert).

 

[Dockmaster]

SSI just changed their standards for 2010, they now have Dive Guide, Dive Master and Divecon. The Divecon now requires you to be a DM first and have 75 dives before you finish the course.

http://www.divessi.com/d/SSI Training Standards/USA/SSI_2010 Standards.ssp5.

Excerpts from the manual listed below:

Divecon Prerequisites:
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Own a Total Diving System of professional type and
quality.
• Have a current medical exam for scuba diving not
older than 1 year and signed by a licensed medical
practitioner.
• Be certified as an active Divemaster level or
equivalent.
• Logged no less then 60 open water dives totaling 40
hours or more.
6. Training Requirements for Certification and Active Status:
• Logged no less then 75 open water dives totaling 50
hours or more.
• Maintain proof of current training in First Aid &
CPR.
• Maintain proof of being competent in emergency
administration of oxygen. This shall include
knowledge of the medical principles involved and
practical use of an emergency oxygen unit.
• Display leadership behaviours as well as passing all
requirements listed in the program curriculum.
• Pass a watermanship and skill evaluation.
• Pass a Final Exam with a minimum score of 90%.
• Comply with all annual Renewal procedures.
• Maintain Professional Liability Insurance (where
applicable).
• Work through an active SSI Dive Center or SSI Dive
Resort.
7. Program Duration: The recommended hours for the
Dive Control Specialist program is 50.

I called SSI about this and was told that you do not have to be certified as a Dive Guide and then Divemaster before taking the Divecon class. SSI added the Dive Guide and Divemaster modules to allow people transferring from other agencies to transfer at the same level without taking another class. As long as you are not a Divemaster transfering from another agency, you can go right into a Divecon class (once you've met the prerequistes).