Divemaster internship in Roatan

[macsman]

I am planning on doing a divemaster internship in Roatan starting in January. I am really leaning toward Coconut Tree Divers. I would prefer to stay in the West End, however Subway Water Sports seems to have a smaller class size. Has anyone done a dm internship with SWS? Do you get more one on one attention? Any info about either of these companies would be great.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Hi there

I am the Course Director at Coconut Tree and as such oversea the DM course there.

I would say that the Ratios at both operations are pretty much the same. I am yet to see the ratio go above two DM candidates per instructor. The main difference being that Coconut Tree tends to run with twice as many instructors and courses going on at any one time.

The biggest challenge I have as the course director is ensuring the divemaster trainees get a good variety of experience during their course. By this I mean that they get to assist on at least 2-3 different open water courses, 2-3 Advanced courses and 1 Rescue course. Coconut Tree issues more recreational certs than any other shop on the island, and still maintains an average class size of three to four students with one instructor and one divemaster trainee assisting. In rescue classes we try and get two divemaster trainees to assist.

Other than the practical application side of the course there is the academics. I prefer to try and get 2-3 DMs in classroom sessions at a time so that people learn through discussion as opposed to being lectured. We expect pro activity from our DM candidates, we will work with you on your academics when you come to us saying you are ready, this means one on one sessions are sometimes unavoidable, but problems with too many students are rare.

The third section of the course is the skills and stamina. I try to do at least three skill circuits with each DMT (Divemaster Trainee) and aim for four DMTs in each session. If i mix up the DMTs on each session. Say i have two who are on their first circuit, one on their second and one on their third it really creates an environment where people are learning from each other as much as from me.

The final challenge is to ensure that all the DMTs train with a variety of instructors, seeing different instructors work is as important as seeing different courses being taught. One o the most important skills you will develop during the course is team working, which is best learned in a reasonably sized team.

I am not sure where you are based, but I will be at the Birmingham (UK) Dive Show on 1 and 2 November if you want to chat in person.

HTH

Will

 

[halocline]

I did mine at Coconut tree and I'd say that Will's post pretty well sums it up. I would recommend CCT; it's a busy shop with several instructors and you get a good feel for what it might be like to work in the dive industry. Plus, doing the skill circuit and Divemaster conducted program training with Will is a real plus.

 

[frogfish73]

macsman,
I too completed my divemaster with Coconut tree divers at the same time as Mattboy, and would highly recommend the course.
They are the busiest shop in west end - have instructors with thousands of logged dives, 2 great big comfortable boats....with shade(an important consideration in my opinion in the tropics), 3 air-con classrooms upstairs for the academics and to escape the heat and humidity, a very strict safety ethos (yes every dive shop should have this, but having dived all over the world, this sadly isn't always the case), at least 3 tec divers on staff that I know of, nitrox capability, and as Will mentioned above, a PADI course director on staff!

I feel confident that I received excellent divemaster training with CTD, and it will stand me in good stead for any continuing diving education..and of course great memories, fantastic diving and a lot of sweat - don't go into the divemaster internship thinking it will be a walk in the park - you get out what you put in!!!.

Any further questions, don't hesitate to PM me.

David

 

[Doc]

Here's an interesting option that's been around a while (but I just heard about)

Roatan Divemaster Internship at Dockside Dive Center

 

[marcoa]

Head down to Roatan and do a couple of fun dives with some of the shops you are considering for your DM course. Go with who you feel comfortable.

 

[Bredman]

As someone considering a similar course, I just want to say thanks for the replies here.

 

[macsman]

Thanks for all the info. It is a big help. I am coming from the US. Do most people that head down there for a 6 week program buy a one way ticket, or round trip? Also, is equipt. expensive in Roatan vs. the states. I am looking to get a new bc and was wondering if I should wait. Also, if anyone can give any insight as to lodging that would be helpful. I thought I would wait till I got there to make arrangements. Any first hand reviews of any hotel/apartments would be great. Sorry for all the questions.

 

[marcoa]

You can spend as little as $3 a night for a back-packer style dorm here in West-End. That will give you the opportunity to see the places you might want to rent before making a commitment. You can go around and meet the folks at the different shops and perhaps go some dives with them. You'll see the facilities, their equipment, their boats, ect...

Keep in mind that six weeks is the minimum. If you spend more time, you'll recieve a better experience and do more diving. One of our DMTs came down with all his academics taken care of. He took the theory exams here but did all the reading back home. That allowed him to spend more time in the water with actual students and leading dives. That route is not a requirement, simply a different approach. Should you need help in any of the theory areas, lectures are provided by instructors.

It was a great experience for me and I wish you the same. Should you have additional questions, send them my way.

Best regards,

-marco

 

[diversteve]

Thanks for all the info. It is a big help. I am coming from the US. Do most people that head down there for a 6 week program buy a one way ticket, or round trip? Also, is equipt. expensive in Roatan vs. the states. I am looking to get a new bc and was wondering if I should wait. Also, if anyone can give any insight as to lodging that would be helpful. I thought I would wait till I got there to make arrangements. Any first hand reviews of any hotel/apartments would be great. Sorry for all the questions.

There's a Mares factory outlet in the West End. We never made it there so I don't know about pricing. (too busy diving with Coconut Tree)

Gay at CTD (the owner) told us she puts up DM candidates in a dorm style converted cabin at Coconut Tree - I think she said it was $10/nt. I'd recommend Wil (Bay Island Diver) as well, I overheard one of his classes sitting on the deck one afternoon.

Find a place with a generator backup, there were frequent power outages this past May. Coconut Tree's was one that reliably worked.