DMT CURRICULUM – DIVING MEDICINE MODULE 16

The enclosed material outlines the content of the suggested DMT course in diving medicine.  The material is organized into four sections.

Content Outline
The Content Outline covers the core areas of diving medicine and the information that should be taught.  In its entirety, the Outline represents a standardized, orthodox curriculum in diving medicine.  It should equip the medic or paramedic to conduct basic treatment if operating independently, and to work with a knowledgeable physician if contact is made.  No attempt is made in the Outline to give weight or relative importance to the various sections, as this will vary according to the operational needs of different classes and their prior knowledge and training.

Knowledge and Skills Objectives
The Knowledge and Skills Objectives indicate what the student should know at the end of the course, as demonstrated by regular examinations.  Specific examination policies are left up to each instructor but should be balanced and flexible enough to assess each individual fairly, rigorous enough to ensure an adequate understanding, and balanced between academic class room work and practical skills.  Regarding the latter item, remember that the DMT training should be field-oriented, practical, and directed towards hands-on treatment of diving accidents.  Academic teaching should be sufficient that the student understands the correctness of what he is to do, but should not cause confusion or doubt.  Matters of scientific controversy or research interest may be introduced for variety and stimulation, but remember that much in diving medicine is not understood, even by experts; the goal should be standardization and orthodoxy at the medic or paramedic level.  Where the instructor has developed strong personal preferences or practices he should point this out and present other viewpoints, when appropriate.

Suggested Course Schedule
The Suggested Course Schedule is simply that:  a sample program which each instructor can modify as he sees fit.  The clock hours suggested in some areas are to provide a guide as to the relative importance of some core material, where experience has shown that time is often necessary.  In allocating time on the schedule, each instructor should consider the Knowledge Objectives, his own strengths and weaknesses as a teacher, and the manifest needs and abilities of his class.  In addition, much material is indicated as “optional” or “variable”.  This is learning matter which can be included for interest or for material which the instructor feels deserves more emphasis.  In general, experience shows that 40-50 hours of instruction are usually necessary for students with no prior knowledge of diving medicine or chamber operations.  The instructor should remember that the goal is to achieve the Knowledge Objectives, not stick to a fixed schedule, and he should be sure core material is well learned before introducing options.