PADI Divemaster Program Revisions - First Look

The revised PADI Divemaster course will be launched at DEMA in November. The new materials aren't available for pre-order yet, but you can read about them below.

The information below is subject to change. Please refer to the Training Bulletin and 2011 Divemaster Instructor Guide (when it comes out) for final details.

The new program includes the most requested changes from PADI Members: emphasizing the dive guide role of a Divemaster, deepening candidate experience and skill background, and incorporating real-world, practical training for the programs DMs are authorized to conduct.

New PADI Divemaster Program Overview

What’s New:

• Skill development through new workshops and practical applications. The new program has a 50 % increase in in-water training including:
  
  
• Five new Divemaster-Conducted Program workshops: one for each course Divemasters are authorized to conduct.
  
  
• Five Practical Application Skills:
  1. dive site set-up and management
  2. mapping project (unchanged)
  3. dive briefing
  4. search and recovery scenario*
  5. deep dive scenario*
  
  * A specialty diver certification in this area may fulfill this skill requirement at the instructor’s discretion.      
  
  
• Dive Skills: four skin diving skills have been added.
  The skill evaluation slate is being revised (product no. 60228).

• Change to Prerequisites:
  
  
• The Deep Diver and Search and Recovery specialty ratings are recommended, candidates may also demonstrate the skills related to these courses as part of the Practical Application Skills section (described above).
  
  
• Candidates must have 40 logged dives to begin the program (it was 20).

• Knowledge Development & Exam Changes:
  
  
• Divemaster eLearning – an alternative to using the PADI Divemaster manual and DVD. The online option replaces all but one of the classroom presentations. The exam must be proctored by an instructor. Unlike the other eLearning courses, the DM exam is not included in the online program.
  
  A revised PADI Divemaster Manual and DVD are also available for those who prefer traditional study tools.
  
  
• The Divemaster exam now emphasizes the supervisory and leadership aspects of divemastering. The revised exam is written in more familiar terminology to more accurately assess candidate comprehension of the knowledge development topics – including dive theory.
  
  The dive theory knowledge requirement for Divemaster is now an intermediate step between what’s required for the PADI Rescue Diver rating and Assistant Instructor or Instructor certification.

• A DM candidate may “test out” of the dive theory exam questions (roughly half of the exam) by completing Dive Theory Online ($100).
  
  

Things That Haven't Changed:

• Same number of dives to “graduate”: 60
• Dive Theory Online is still an optional study tool.
• The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
• Mapping project

Changes to Divemaster Materials
The new and revised materials aren't available for pre-order yet, we expect to have them ready by DEMA. Stay tuned to PADI Instructor News for pre-order opportunities.

Revised materials:

• Divemaster manual – expanded from 200 pages to nearly 300.  Includes new course information and functions as an additional study tool for the DM exam. Each chapter now includes a case study based on real scenarios which illustrate sound judgment and other leadership skills.
  
  
• Divemaster DVD – now includes “demonstration quality” videos of all 20 scuba skills and the new skin diving skills (4) - plus new and updated footage.
  
  
• Divemaster DVD (Pro edition) - revised to reflect new course content and incorporate new footage.
  
  
• Divemater slates – revised slightly to reflect new course content
  
  
• Skill evaluation slate – includes four new skin diving skills.
  
  
• Divemaster exam/answer sheet/answer key – entirely updated

New materials:

• Instructor cue cards

• Prescriptive Lesson Guides (hooray!) – new PLGs integrated with standard lesson guides. 
• Divemaster eLearning – $200
• Divemaster eLearning crewpak (price TBA)

Unchanged materials:

• Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
  (part no. 70034 book, 70833 DVD-ROM)
  
  
• Scuba Tune-Up Guide book - now a recommended item (part no. 70097).
  
  
• DSD cue card (must have 2009 revision of this item, part no. 60130)
  
  
• Diving Knowledge Workbook - no longer required, but relevant study tool for DM, AI and Instructor exams (part no. 70214).

Discontinued materials:

Divemaster modular lesson guides

What about the current Divemaster materials?
We’ll transition to the new program over several months – similar to how we introduced the new IDC program. PADI Members should continue to use and sell DM materials in stock, but consider keeping a light inventory.

·        The cut-off date for starting new candidates with the “old” DM materials is 1 July 2011. After this point, DM candidates and their instructors must use the new materials.

·        TBA: what happens to Divemaster candidates who have not finished the “old” program by 1 July 2011

Where can I get more information?

Review the information on pages 2-5 of the 4th Quarter Training Bulletin

• Available on the PADI Pro’s Site under Training Essentials
• Also found in the back of the 4Q 2010 Undersea Journal
  

Stay tuned to padiinstructorinfo.com - get email updates when new info is posted.


Attend the PADI Standards DEMA seminar (three options)

• Wed 17 Nov @ 3-4pm
• Thur 18 Nov @ 2p-3p
• Fri 19 Nov @11a-Noon

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PADI Undersea Journal 4th Quarter 2010

If you're a digital subscriber to The Undersea Journal -  the 4th Quarter edition is ready for download. Check your email for the link and be the first instructor in your neighborhood to read about the new Divemaster program.

If you're not a digital subscriber, you can opt in today and get the 1st Quarter 2011 issue before everyone else gets it in the mail. The digital option is free.

Here's how it works:
(email subscribers - click through to view images).

You'll receive an email when the latest Undersea Journal is available for download. Click and download the magazine to your computer.

What you get is not a .pdf, it's an electronic version of the magazine distributed by Zinio - and yes they have an iPhone app and an iPad app.

The digital magazines are saved in your online library for future reference. You can print, zoom, screengrab and scroll between pages.

Not sure if you'll like an electronic magazine?

You can download a magazine for free to try it out. Zinio has a variety of choices such as Business Week and PC Mag. FYI you have to create an account to get the free magazine.

If you're ready to go digital with Sport Diver or The Undersea Journal, here's how to do it:

1. Log on to the PADI Pro's Site
2. Click on My Account
3. Scroll down to the bottom
4. Click on My Preferences
5. Click next to the picture of each magazine to opt in for a digital copy.

You won't be able to get the 4th Quarter 2010 edition electronically. If you sign up within the next few weeks, your first electronic copy will be 1st Quarter 2011.


Once you opt in for the electronic option we will no longer send you a paper copy of the magazine. You can, however, switch back to paper. Address labels are run approximately six weeks before the magazines get mailed, so there's a chance you'll get one more paper copy after opting in for the electronic option depending on when you opt in.

Currently it's not possible to receive both an electronic and a paper copy - just one or the other.

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Project AWARE Job: Programs and Operations Manager

Project AWARE Foundation is looking for a Programs and Operations Manager. The position is located in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

Here are the Minimum Qualifications:
(for a complete job description visit Project AWARE's job page)

* Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) from a four-year college or university required.

* Has at least five (5) years experience in project/program management.

* Excellent human relations skills and has worked internationally or with staff or clients located in a multiple countries

* Is a strategic big picture thinker, a motivated self-starter, exceptional planning and organizing skills who is naturally curious and believes in continuous learning and development

* PC literate: word processing, PowerPoint, spreadsheet, database management, project management tracking systems and web research skills.

* Willing to do occasional travel.

Read the complete job description at projectaware.org.

You can email jenny.miller.garmendia at projectaware dot org with questions about the job. Please mention you found out about it at PADI Instructor News!

Old PADI Pros Site Goes Away 30 Sep 2010

Alas, Olde PADI Pro's Site, your days are numbered. Starting Thursday 30 September 2010, all content will be removed from the old site - except PIC Online.

If you haven't already, please visit the new PADI Pro's Site and create a login.

Tips for Creating a PADI Pro's Site Login

PADI Pros: have your instructor card with you when creating a login. You must type in your name exactly as it appears on your card. For example: if your card does not show a middle initial, do not include your middle initial when creating a login.

PADI IRRA members: a PIN number is required to create your login. If you do not know the store PIN, the owner must contact PADI to retrieve it.

In General:
Your new username must be at least six characters long, and contain at least 1 lower case letter and 1 upper case letter. The user name cannot contain any spaces or special characters.

Examples of usernames that are okay:

• AJsDiveShop
• ATLscuba
• 97201Divers

Examples of usernames the system will reject:

• AJ'sDiveShop - contains special characters (an apostrophe)
• O.K.Scuba - contains special characters (periods)
• ATL Scuba - contains a space
• 97201divers - does not have a capital letter

Read about useful new features on the new PADI Pros Site.

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The Business of Diving - On Demand

It's back to school time, and as the saying goes: a good diver is always learning.

Check out one of our Business of Diving recordings on the PADI Pros's Site. All you need is a PC or Mac with a high-speed internet connection.

Available Topics as of 13 Sep 2010:

• Getting Started with EVE 5
• Managing Your Business 
• Survival Training 2010
  

• Groupon - It's Like Getting Paid to Advertise
  (read our webinar overview)
• Bridging the Gap – The Boy Scouts of America and You
  (read our webinar overview)
• Bring a Friend to Discover Scuba During Open Water
  (Coming Soon)

Each of the above recordings is about 50 minutes long. You can pause and go back to one at anytime and they're free. It's kind of like the On Demand Channel that cable TV companies often have.

PADI's Business of Diving webinars come in two flavors:

The first three (Getting Started with EVE 5, Survival Training, etc.) are similar to a DEMA seminar. It's a powerpoint presentation with a featured speaker or speakers.

The more recent webinars at the bottom of the list are a recorded discussion between dive business owners. For example, in the Boy Scouts Merit Badge webinar, you'll hear from Jeff Tobey, a boy scout troop leader and dive center owner answer. Jeff makes recommendations to retailers who want to offer the Scuba Merit Badge program.

How to view a Business of Diving webinar:

1. Log on to PADI Pros
2. Click on Toolbox
3. Choose either Member or Resort and Retailer
4. Click on Business of Diving Webcasts

If you're a PADI Dive Center owner or manager, we invite you to participate in the live version of one of our webinars. Our upcoming topics:

• Maximizing your return on phone calls
  
• Tips for converting DSD participants into Open Water Divers.

To get on the list for the webinars above, or any future webinars, please email adamw at padi dot com.

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New Poll: Best Dives for PADI Advanced Open Water

Our friends the Scuba Diver Girls in San Diego have an interesting discussion going on their Facebook page. A student wanted to know:

I just got my open water certification and now have begun the AOW program. However, I am trying to decide on the 5th dive skill and was looking for a suggestion. I am doing navigation, deep, wreck and night. Just looking to see what the overall consensus is for the fifth. Thanks.

So which AOW elective dives are the most popular amongst PADI Instructors?

Read the original discussion on the Scuba Diver Girls' Facebook page, and vote at padiinstructorinfo.com before Monday 20 September 2010.

In AOW: what are your favorite elective dives?

The results of our "Are You Left-Handed" poll are in. As it turns out, scuba instructors tend to be more left-handed than the general population. Who knew?