|
Joined on
11/1/2007
|
I've gone through a few diving courses and ended up with a certification in rescue diving. I'm now looking into getting a divemaster certification. However, before I do this I'd like to know from the experts (you guys) exactly what can I do with a divemaster certification. I know I'll be able to take out students and lead tours, but is there anything else?
Thanks
|
|
Joined on
3/31/2006
|
There are two ways to look at the results of any course you take. The first is what other people will let you do as a result of your having a been given a certain certification card. The other is what knowledge and experience you will gain from your participation the course.
Certification as a Dive Master authorizes you to supervise certified divers in open water and to assist Instructors on training dives. Depending on the agency, you may also be authorized to teach certain courses, such as snorkeling, or to teach certain portions of other classes under the supervision of a certified instructor. That said, there is a difference between being certified to do a thing and being able to find someone who will let you do it, let alone pay you to do it. Most divers acting as dive masters are either working toward becomming certified Instructors or are already certified instructors.
Like every other course you may take, what you actually learn in the course will depend primarily on the quality of the instructor and on your commitment. A Dive Master course has the potential to make you a much better diver. You will be presented with all the basic theory and applications of sport diving. You can also learn how to deal with divers at all levels of competency. I generally consider divers who present DM c-cards as divers that I probably can rely on to have sufficient skills that I can rely on them to be able to complete most non-technical dives without trouble and to be able to render assistance to another diver, should the need arise.
|