To DM or not to DM, that's the question...

Okay..So i'm just wondering what you guys think of this.

I'm seriously thinking about doing my DM course, but maybe not start as a working/employed DM at a resort here - well not straight away (if i get something at a later date, then all the more better for me :/)

Do you think that it's a good idea to do the course, even though I wouldn't be an active DM? Would I get alot out of the course?
Are there other considerations that I would need to think about once I've done the course? (I have no idea why i asked the last question, but i've always been logical)
Is there anything else that I would need to do before doing the course and signing on the dotted line?

Thanks for any opinions and advice.

Lottie - not spoken for a while - how's things? Got the work permit yet - or not as the case may be as you are talking about not being a working DM. I have often thought I would like to invest in more training - don't know that much about the DM course except from what I have heard it takes up a LOT of one's time but that might just be for working DMs! Good luck re your decission - would like to hear how it all pans out for you. :)

You learn a lot about physics, physiology, psychology as long as the people you are learning from are knowledgeable.

Start by reading the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving and the Instructor guide.. There are other books that escape my immediate mind, but if you are
planning on going instructor, DM is a must.

There are the professional Courtesy's that come with the title, ie. free air fills, free dives, discounts on equipment, things like that and of course our favorite, the yearly dues..+ insurance..

As a DM, you could possibly get a gig at some hotels to teach discover Scuba or perhaps even do some scuba reviews to earn experience and some mula. Here in the states scuba review is the best $$$... for your time..
one can make like $450 for 3-4 hours work.. not bad huh...

Good luck on your decision.

Well I have had the same question come to mind, go scientific or go DM/Instructor route. Since it seems like courses are A LOT cheaper through school I think I'm going to do both. My reason for going DM is because I would like to get some work duing the weekends on charters. If you're not going to use it, I would say it's not really worth it. Get some more dives in and then decide because I believe it's a pretty expensive course through private companies.

Oh I forgot to ask what's the insurance costs per year on average?

Lottie,
As you know, if you ever intend to become an instructor, then the DM course is a pre-requisite. However...
I don't know what the situation in the US/Carribean is like Re DM jobs but in most of the rest of world a paying DM gig is rarer than rocking horse poo. Most Dm's of my aquaintance, (and, indeed, myself), tend to do it for free air, free dives, free experience and the sheer fun of diving.
How much you will get out of the course very much depends on how much you put in. A six month internship at a decent operation that runs a lot of courses can give you a lot more than a two week, high intensity, wam,bam, thank you mam! conveyor belt course.
My recommendation, if you decide to go down the DM route, is to take your time and complete the course over about a year. Grab any chance to help out on a course that you can and try and dive with as many different instructors as you can. Try and do more than the recommended number of assists. Have fun.

Oh yeah! start practicing buddy breathing now!:)

Best of luck whatever you decide to do

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lars2923

There are the professional Courtesy's that come with the title, ie. free air fills, free dives, discounts on equipment, things like that and of course our favorite, the yearly dues..+ insurance..

---

I'm not too sure about whether i'd get discounts on equipment/free fills etc (I am in the Caribbean after all).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lars2923

As a DM, you could possibly get a gig at some hotels to teach discover Scuba

---

I have had two offerings/interviews (as such) - but they both haven't worked out as I'd hoped. Hence why i'm thinking about doing the course - maybe it'll make me more marketable.
But then looking on the flip side, if nothing happens about getting an actual DM job, then the skills and knowledge gained from the course would still become useful?? :confused:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rubber chicken

A six month internship at a decent operation that runs a lot of courses can give you a lot more than a two week, high intensity, wam,bam, thank you mam! conveyor belt course.

---

internships are going to be a no-no down here (there is one place, but its up in castries and thats a good 2 hour drive away!!!). My LDS do the course in two weeks (i think), but i don't know whether that would mean doing everything - including the 8 exams within that time frame?!

I'm still confused <deep sigh>

If you want to ruin recreational diving for yourself go pro! Then every time you dive with some one your also responsible and therefore suable as well! If you are working as a DM and you don't feel like diving or DMing that day! To bad! Your working! So just depends on where you want to go? Good luck!

Hey Lottie,
Don't think too much; just jump in with both feet!

Here's a question about the general subject. I know padi ONLY requires 60 dives total before end of the DM class, do you think that's too little? Personally I feel that's way too low, by 100 dives most are just starting to figure out things. I'm extremely comfortable in the water so right after my OW I felt good to go on my own but the people that get cert. is scary. After 60 dives do you feel confident or do you really want to be responsable for these accidents waiting to happen due to poor instruction and the need to pass anyone and everyone?

Lottie, it depends on what your future plans are & also on the type of person you are :)

Since you have a place in a nice tropical destination, by going pro you can it can be a value-added service to your operation. It also depends on the type of diver you are (your style of diving) & whether it is compatible with teaching others - otherwise it becomes tedious. Also on whether you like to teach in general & not just diving. By being in a position such as a DM, AI, Ins., you'll find that others will talk to you about other things in their life too.

As PB pointed out in this and in other threads, there is the liability part. Depending on the local laws, just be being a DM, working or not, would put you in the firing line.

Although I'm sure you are a good diver, many shops *need* to fill a PADI quota to maintain their PADI star rating. So they encourage almost everyone to become a DM and then later an Ins. This appeals to everyone's sense of vanity and there are many "shake n' bake" DM's out there. Some are excellent DM's naturally and some are better diving *solo*.

If you just want to help new divers but don't want the responsibility, there are many ways to do so without "going pro"

FYI, the DM insurance is about $2000-$3000 in the Toronto area. The upside is the freebies and if you saved all your receipts, all your gear can be written off :)

Now for the purely superficial part: Dive"Master" sounds way cooler, active, in-charge than "Instructor" which sounds almost bookish by comparison.

Good Luck.

If you think it will lead to employment that you'd like, great ... do it. If you think that it will greatly increase your diving skill and knowledge, IMHO, there are much better ways.

Some people say PADI stands for Push Another Diver In and I would agree that althougth the training is good it is also basic and it is a little scary that OW which is only 4 qualifying open water dives in theory allows a diver to dive with only a buddy and not be guided by a professional. Although most of us are sensible and only go on lead dives but you will be responsible for people who have little or no experience - scarry thought! :eek:

There is a lot to be said for diving for your own pleasure and not to fit in with all the whims of your customers!

Hope you come to a decision which is right for you! :)

Hey Lottie,
I was in a similar situation to you not but a fortnight ago, I WENT FOR IT.
I am now starting my Dive control Specialist (DM and Assistant Instructor) I did it for 4 reasons
1. Become a better diver
2. Free dives, basically a good way to get even more experience
3. Maybe get some work in the future
4. I like the feeling of teaching people things (more related to instructor but this is the first step)

I will also after completing my dive con do my instructors ticket.
I have been a swimming instructor for a number of years and i really enjoy teaching. My decision was decided when my friend asked me if i could take him out for a night dive (we got qualified together but since then he has done the occasional dive and i have gone all the way through to SSI Master Diver) as he had never done one, seeing the look on his face and his obvious enjoyment of this new experience made me decide that i wanted to be a part of that for more people.
so now im on my way
just my thoughts,
Brad

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bubbles

Although most of us are sensible and only go on lead dives but you will be responsible for people who have little or no experience - scarry thought! :eek:

---

I have to disagree, I've never gone on a lead. It depends where you are located. But I really like your padi saying:)

Thanks. ;) :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleleemur

the DM insurance is about $2000-$3000 in the Toronto area.
Good Luck.

---

Holy Moly Batman... DM insurance in the states is like $400

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lars2923

Holy Moly Batman... DM insurance in the states is like $400

---

It is only $350ish AUD here!

I paid $220 CAD for NAUI sponsored insurance last year.

now those figures sound a lot better. A few thousand seemed WAY WAY too high.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleleemur

FYI, the DM insurance is about $2000-$3000 in the Toronto area.

---

:p

Thanks guys, my mistake. It is a few hundred just for DM.

The above $000s is with other stuff included. :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleleemur

The above $000s is with other stuff included. :p

---

Now i'm intrigued - what is the other stuff included that you mention? - or is it highly secretive?? ;)

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lottie

Now i'm intrigued - what is the other stuff included that you mention? - or is it highly secretive?? ;)

Thanks

---

well it better be a lot for all those zeros:)

I think the person I asked has a bunch of other things he writes off under the DM umbrella. EMT, Fire Safety co-ordinator (allows us to have big bon-fires, beach bbqs, fireworks, etc), travel guide organizer insurance etc

I'm sure there's more, but I'm a little afraid to ask what specifically :p

It can be written off against income! To the extent of that income, but not below Zero unless there is a demonstrated effort to show profit! Then you have to show profit in three out of five years! So be careful you could find yourself talking to the taxation entity!:confused:

We have deleted some posts and edited some posts to strictly to keep things on topic and to keep things pleasant, so thanks for your understanding. :)