Dive Master Tips and Cautions???

[mexdiver13]

Just started my DM Training and would like some tips, pointers and general advice based on your experiences. What was the most difficult, challenging, most important "Stuff?" It seems a little overwhelming and I want to do a good job and here I am...

[Bill22]

Originally Posted by mexdiver13

Just started my DM Training and would like some tips, pointers and general advice based on your experiences. What was the most difficult, challenging, most important "Stuff?" It seems a little overwhelming and I want to do a good job and here I am...

Sorry, I haven't started my Divemaster training yet, maybe next year. Just saw that you joined today and wanted to say WELCOME to the board :-)

[thesmoothdome]

Welcome to the board and congrats on going for your DM. I'd say the most important skill a good DM develops is being a good judge of people and reacting to situations before they become situations. Whether it's a classroom or boat, a good DM is able to read his/her clientele and respond accordingly.

I know you want answers involving diving skills, but seriously, that's the easy part. Anticipating your clientele's needs is paramount to being a good DM, and stops more issues from becoming issues. Enjoy your training. It should be a blast.

[Foo2]

Welcome to ST! Sorry, not a DM so I don't have any advice for you, but it sounds like Smoothdome gave you some great advice! Having a DM that can "read" you is wonderful!

[CompuDude]

Study. Read your books cover to cover. Seriously. Do ALL of the practice exercises you can get your hands on.

Start cardio NOW. If you're not a proficient swimmer, start swimming laps. If you've never been good at treading water, now is a good time to seek help and get that down pat, as well. If you're reasonably proficient at both, don't sweat it, it'll be easy as long as you have some decent cardio shape.

And have fun. It's very challenging, but extremely rewarding as well.

[gtjason2000]

The hardest part is the dive skills. Being able to do a skill is a lot different than being able to demonstrate a skill.

[comet24]

Read the books and find out what sections are your week points and really study those. If your not a good swimmer find someone who is and make sure your stroke and kick are good. I have seen people in great shape struggle with swims because there stroke is bad. Also when demonstrating skills remember to slow it down and exaggerate all the movements.

Good luck I just finished up my DM training and had a great time.

[ScubaToys Larry]

I moved this thread over to the training area... you might get better answers here - and the posts count since it's not in the meet and greet section.

But welcome to the board!

After teaching DM's through instructors for years, the hardest part for most is the academics - physics, tables, physiology, and the public speaking part doing class presentations and briefings. And the main problem they have is keeping a briefing "brief!"

By the time they are at that level - normally their diving skills are fine - it's the other things that beat them up!

Best of luck and congrats on continuing your education and diving!

[freediver]

You are promoting the sport of scuba so in EVERYTHING you do, do it with a smile! Also, don't sweat the petty things........oh and don't pet the sweaty things either!

[Flatliner]

Hi,

Welcome to the board. From the perspective of a fairly new diver, the smile advice is good. Nothing turns me off more than someone who doesn't seem to have time to help me. Bottom line...a DM is a dive professional and the diver is your customer.