Why train as a DiveMaster?

[LowVizWiz]

Also, I'm not sure if it was brought up yet, but in PADI there is a Dive Master Certification and a Master Scuba Diver Certification with the primary difference being the focus on the "economics" of diving in the DM course. So Master Scuba diver seems like an option for someone who wants the skills but does not have a professional desire to serve as a DM.

The only similarity between the two courses is in the name and it often leads to confusion. The Master Diver "course" for lack of a better term teaches you nothing about dive leadership or dive supervision and it's not intended to do so, while the primary focus of the Divemaster program is just that!

The Master Diver is basically a PADI recognition after you complete Rescue and 5 specialties of your choosing. It's not a class or certification per se.

Wiz

 

[Lee Taylor]

It still happens in the professional ranks, but it is a bit more subtle, and it is just as wrong.

QUOTE]

Thank you John for your insight and information. I don't just accept things as being correct at my current phase in life.

 

[Lee Taylor]

I've heard that my LDS pays pretty well.

They may pay well compared to others but how much is enough. Food, shelter, and gasoline are averaging 1500 per month in some parts of the USA. If you worked 20 days per month as a Dive Master my suspicion is your net pay would be about 1500 if you were lucky. Notice that I did not mention a handful of other monthly expenses a person typically has.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

I am considering taking the DiveMaster training. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed. What should I expect? Is the primary focus of the DiveMaster course, the training of students? Learning new skills? Learning boat activity management? Employment? What are the employment opportunitys for a divemaster? What is the typical pay rate?

Divemaster is a professional rating. As a non-pro, you dive for your own enjoyment. As a pro, you now dive for other people's enjoyment.

Unfortunately, most DM's are "volunteers" or work for tips. Except for some busy charter businesses, then you might get paid a small wage + tips. Or if you work the retail floor. Then you'll probably get minimum wage for your time on the floor.

The primary focus of the Divemaster "job" is to ride herd on divers. Either as a tour guide on charter boats or helping an instructor keep track of a group of students.

In SSI the "DM" rating is called a Dive Control Specialist (Divecon) and is also an Assistant Instructor rating. SSI divecons are allowed to teach certain courses and specialties. (I don't know about the other agencies DM's.) Which does allow them to make some extra money. Many of our Divecons make money on the side teaching the Scuba Skills Update (commonly called a "Refresher Course".) They are also allowed to teach certain specialties and issue specialty certs for non-scuba specialties like "Fish ID", "Underwater Photography", etc.

Despite the somewhat vague income opportunities for DM's. You will still have to purchase Professional Liability Insurance and pay yearly dues to the agency. As well as keep your CPR, First Aid and O2 Provider certifications up to date.

For most agencies, though, a DM rating is a required prerequisite for taking the Instructor course.

I haven't read through all the other posts. You probably will get other/better information from some of the others.

 

[ScubaSteve2000]

They may pay well compared to others but how much is enough. Food, shelter, and gasoline are averaging 1500 per month in some parts of the USA. If you worked 20 days per month as a Dive Master my suspicion is your net pay would be about 1500 if you were lucky. Notice that I did not mention a handful of other monthly expenses a person typically has.

Well, I certainly wouldn't quit my "day job" to be a DM. I'd be happy to make enough to pay for the insurance, gas and the occasional pizza.

Steve.

 

[markfm]

Why zero interest in becoming an Instructor?

Locally we're fairly saturated with instructors, and I actually enjoy the DM role. I like lending a hand, working the logistics, chatting with the students, simply a good fit.

In Upstate New York there's no way to do this full-time, whether Instructor or DM -- it's an avocation. The weather makes for a relatively short dive season for the majority of people.

 

[tedtim]

...Still, to me it is worth it, but, as it states you are 55, you might think about not working on a boat. That is not to be mean, as one of the best DMs I have know was 64. What it is though, is people's safe return to the boat on a bad day (pretty, flat, clear days rarely have that type of problem) may be dependent on your swimming 400 yds or more to catch a panicked diver, then helping to pull them back aboard to help with O2 or CPR or anything else. That can cause a lot of strain.

I recently did my DM along with several other candidates who were in their late teens and mid 20s. I'm in my late 40s. I beat almost all of them at the 400 yd swim, some by more than 5 minutes, and all of them in the tired diver tow. What do you think, someone who's 55 is going to be too weak to be a DM? That's a good one.

I second mattboy.

I did the DM course in my mid 40's. Last year, when I was 49 I had to do the 400 yd swim to catch the panicked diver who was drifting down the river and approaching the shipping channel. This year, now 50, I spent one month on a small island as a DM. I was amazed at how little the younger folk (early to mid 20's) knew about equipment and practical application of skills. There are good DMs and not so good ones. The level of their ability is not linked to their age.

Don't let anyone tell you that age should be a determinant in your choice. If you are looking for a single reason to help you make the decision, I submit that the reasons are as varied as the people who take the training.