Considering the SDI Divemaster Program -

Considering the SDI Divemaster Program?

Here are Tips to Help you Get Started

Article by Cathryn Castle Garcia, SDI Instructor

In a previous post celebrating the new SDI Divemaster course, I hailed divemasters as the unsung heroes of many a safe, happy, adventure-filled scuba vacation and highlighted what’s included in the DM course. If you missed that post, here’s a link (Mastery Matters).

In this article, I’d like to further explore skills considered by many veteran scuba instructors to be foundational pillars that support the success of a dive professional. They are physical capability, technical knowledge, emotional resilience, and relational skills. If you are considering becoming a divemaster, you will want to consider how you can further develop these skills. They’re helpful in diving scenarios, and they will also help you get through the “dry days” when you’re not out diving.

Physicality

Who among us hasn’t wished for the invention of the “gill pill” we could swallow that would allow us to temporarily grow gills so we could tool around underwater without dive gear, just like the fishes? While innovations in dive equipment design have been made, we’re not there yet. Scuba stuff is still heavy. And water is still water. We must be able to haul our gear and help others with theirs. And we must be capable swimmers.

SDI and several other training agencies are members of the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC), the organization that sets forth minimum scuba training requirements. (To learn more, visit wrstc.com.) Here’s what the RSTC has to say regarding Minimum Course Content for Recreational Dive Supervisor (SDI Divemaster) Certification:

“Physical Conditioning and Watermanship Evaluation. The candidate shall effectively demonstrate basic watermanship ability by performing to a certified instructor the watermanship evaluation required by the training organization. This watermanship evaluation shall include a 300-yard (275-meter) or greater surface swim without the use of mask, fins, or snorkel, or other swimming aids (exception permitted for eye protection, e.g. swim goggles.)”

I’m fortunate that I grew up a “water baby” who started swimming lessons before I knew how to read or write my name. I was a certified Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor before I learned to scuba dive, so the watermanship stuff was second nature.

We often tell entry-level scuba students they don’t need to be strong swimmers; just “comfortable in the water” is all. But the SDI Divemaster certification is regarded as professional level scuba training. When you go pro, you’ll want to make sure you are a capable swimmer who is confident in the water. If you’re not there yet, don’t let the idea of getting in the water without your dive gear dissolve your divemaster goal. Find a local swimming pool or body of water where you can get some laps in. You might benefit from a few lessons to help you work on your swimming strokes. The good news is, many dive centers with pools also offer swim classes. You can also look for a Red Cross course in your area, or try a fitness club, YMCA, or college/university.

Adding strength training to your fitness routine is another important component of being fit to serve as a divemaster. Think of how many times you lift and carry your dive cylinders and weights for a dive outing. When serving as a divemaster, you’ll likely double or triple that amount when assisting others. Strength training will help improve your stamina when diving.

Technical Knowledge

Here, we’re talking more about everyday problem solving that often falls to the SDI Divemaster. For starters, you’ll likely be meeting lots of divers whose gear configurations are different from yours. It’s a good idea to know how to swap a DIN insert out of a valve, and how to thread a new buoyancy compensator (BC) tank strap so it can be adjusted to fit snugly on a tank. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with several different dive computer models, learning the dive planning features and how to change computers’ Nitrox settings. Knowing stuff like this can upgrade you from mere mortal to aquatic hero in the eyes of divers whom you’ll be supervising.

During your Divemaster certification course, your instructor(s) will likely show you how to upgrade your personal save-a-dive-kit to include a small arsenal of supplies fellow divers might need. Having the right spares on-hand is part of the job of helping other divers.

Emotional Resilience

Resilience means, “the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties.” Emotional resilience is essentially our ability to quickly adapt to changing, and often stressful, situations. One of the best explanations I’ve seen comes from US Air Force Major Corey Carnes, a military commander who identifies the 5Cs of resilience as:

– Commitment. Simply put, this means giving 100 percent effort.

– Control. Understanding that some situations are outside our control, but that we can control our breathing, speech, body language, and behavior.

– Challenge. Knowing that whatever we’re facing, it won’t be forever and accepting the situation as temporary; to do this, we adopt a mindset of, “We’ll get through this.”

– Connectedness. As divemasters, we’re there for social support, and we lead like Musketeers, “All for one and one for all.”

– Confidence. The other four Cs combined help us harness the confidence to act in a leadership capacity.

A fellow scuba instructor/friend once described dive professionals as ducks on water—it’s our job to look smooth on the surface, while underneath we’re paddling like crazy.

Relational Skills

If you’re like me, it’s been a while since we made our first giant strides. Mask clearing is second nature, not stress-inducing. But what about the newbie divers we might be guiding? They might be facing down some pretty big fears during their first dives. The same is true for divers who’ve been out of the water for a while, whose skills have gotten rusty. It’s our job to meet them where they are, and help them get where they want to be, which is safe and happy on a scuba dive.

Part of putting new divers at ease involves our ability and willingness to relate. Instead of saying, “It’s nothing to be afraid of,” we say, “I understand your apprehension.” And we offer support and encouragement. Empathy says, “I get it.” Compassion says, “I get it. Here, let me help you. We’ll to it together.”

Getting certified as an SDI Divemaster is a big deal. It tells the diving world that you have upped your diving game, and you are ready, willing, and able to lead. Honing your physical abilities and technical knowledge of diving, while also increasing your emotional and relational skills will help ensure you have everything you need for the job.

Start your SDI Divemaster training now!

0 balasan-balasan