New dive leader training & DPM SDC

[mark wood]

Could someone please inform me as to whether or not completing the Dive Planning and Marshalling SDC means that you get signed off for the DP2 Dry practical lesson that is required on the new dive leader training program.

[Mike Halligan]

Could someone please inform me as to whether or not completing the Dive Planning and Marshalling SDC means that you get signed off for the DP2 Dry practical lesson that is required on the new dive leader training program.

Mark,

IMHO, you don't.

As far as I can see, the lessons DP1 and DP2 reflect the old AD assessments of "Acting as Deputy Dive Marshal" and "Acting as Dive Marshal (under supervision)". They are further re-inforced under AP1 and AP2, reflecting the 4 assessments formerly expected at AD.

None of these forms any part of Dive Planning & Marshalling SDC.

Hope this helps,

Mike

[mark wood]

If this is the case could someone please explain what the point of the dive planning and marshalling sdc is ??.

As it seems that if this is the case the course is of no benifit to anyone on the new training program if it does not complete these elements.

The O2 and PRM SDC's both contribute towards the dive leader training program by completing various training units so why should it be different for the DPM sdc.

Surely attending a 2 day DPM sdc with a regional or national coach is better training than having a days supervision on a club dive day ??

Or am I wrong ??

[iainmsmith]

If this is the case could someone please explain what the point of the dive planning and marshalling sdc is ??.

It was a mandatory part of training for the previous evolution of Advanced Diver. It is still a mandatory course for those who started AD training prior to the introduction of the revised syllabus but who have not yet completed it.

It is not part of the new DL or AD syllabi (although there might be some lessons which it might count in place of).

As it seems that if this is the case the course is of no benifit to anyone on the new training program if it does not complete these elements.

That may well be the case - it is not, and never has been, part of the new course. Equally, under the old syllabus, it counted for the "pass a DPM course" box, NOT for any of the four Marshalling assessments, which had to be done in addition to the SDC.

The O2 and PRM SDC's both contribute towards the dive leader training program by completing various training units so why should it be different for the DPM sdc.

I haven't got a manual in front of me, but it wouldn't surprise me if it counted for:

DL: Theory Lesson - DIVE PLANNING
DL: Theory Lesson - THE ROLE OF THE DIVE MARSHAL

and/or

AD: Theory Lesson - ORGANISING DIVING FROM DIFFERENT PLATFORMS

but as it didn't count for the Marshalling Assessments under the old scheme, I don't see why it should count towards the Marshalling Assessments of the new scheme

Surely attending a 2 day DPM sdc with a regional or national coach is better training than having a days supervision on a club dive day ??

Exposure to experienced divers from outside your Branch allows exchange of information, procedures and ideas, which may allow you to improve your dive marshalling. Not every piece of education need result in a qualification to be useful.

Regards,

Iain

[David Walker]

If this is the case could someone please explain what the point of the dive planning and marshalling sdc is ??.

Ermmm... so people can learn how to better plan and marshall dives safely. Just because an SDC doesn't contribute to a qualification doesn't make it irrelevant. Nitrox doesn't count towards a qualification (except maybe FCD) but lots of people still do it. Same with things like First Aid, Search and Recovery, Boat Handling, etc...

David

[mark wood]

OK, Some good points raised that I must admit, (not having been familiar with the old training scheme at DL & AD level) I had not thought about some of the historic reasons for the DPM sdc to exist, I was not intending on critising this sdc but just finding out whether or not it did count towards either of the dive marshalling assesments required under new DL training.

[andy botten]

You do get DP1 signed off. Plus 2 theory lessons.
As you are only doing one day of practical how can you get both practicals signed off?
And as you say doing it as an SDC with a National Coach gives you a greater understanding than you do on a branch trip.

We have had 5 D/L trainees attend a regional SDC and none realised there was so much involved.
All got a huge amount out of it.
They now ask questions about tides, weather, pairings, not just turn up and fall in.
Plus, it is always good to see what someone else does.