Advantages Of Dm Certification Just To Dive With Friends?

[ScubaJill]

Is there any advantage to pursuing DM certification just to dive with friends? I have a pilot friend who would like to get back into diving. The last time he dived was about 20 years ago while stationed overseas. He offered me a deal: get DM certified and he would pay for my travel anywhere in the world so I could dive with him and another friend. Initially, I suggested he just do a refresher course at a LDS or dive resort, which he agreed to, but he insisted that I get my DM certification to partake in his offer. I could see him wanting a more experienced dive buddy and someone to take care of the logistics, etc., but I can't imagine needing to plan and lead dives in most of the locations we're likely to go and the dive operations we'll be using. And if I did have to do so, I'd be fine with it at my current level. Are there any advantages to getting DM certified in this scenario?

 

[boat sju]

. . . he would pay for my travel anywhere in the world so I could dive with him and another friend.

I'd say there's the advantage right there.

I hope my dive buddy (who has his DM) doesn't see this thread, as I only have an OW.

 

[ScubaJill]

Well, that is a given. But, I wondered if his perception of why a DM is needed is incorrect and I can simply explain to him why my current experience is sufficient.

 

[BB`]

Purely a guess but....

There are several places that "require that you dive with a DM" which usually means someone who is licensed in some way to dive that area and take out others. Perhaps he thinks by you getting the DM cert you guys can bypass that requirement??


Personally I would take the free cert and roll with it.

Full disclosure... I am thinking about getting my DM this summer anyways.

 

[boat sju]

When I was certified in 1982 our instructor told us "ok, go out and dive". Now, new divers seem to be taught that they have to continue to dive with a DM. I was discussing going to Bonaire with a friend. She told me that her and her husband would be interested in going along since my buddy has his DM, and they'd be ok diving with him. Made me feel like chopped liver. Oh well.

Anyway, I agree and sympathize with you, but good luck trying to convince him that you have the necessary experience. Maybe point out to him that your typical caribbean DM wouldn't be much good if dropped into Monterey Bay. You always need to be educated on the local environment.

Maybe take a rescue course though.

 

[Phil_C]

My gut reaction is that DM won't actually give you anything more in this situation that getting dive experience and practice, practice, practice would not.

I think in most cases doing your DM will not make you a better diver, except for the development that comes with the extra dives and water time during the course, because most of it is about learning and understanding the business of diving and being a part of that.

It involves a lot of helping out, setting up, pandering to customer needs, helping with lessons, guiding and so on. It isn't about teaching you new diving skills as such, that development is taken to be the part you have done by completing rescue, AOW and so on. DM is a big commitment if you are not looking to go pro and use the DM cert in some way.

I think I would be inclined to ask what your friend thinks you being a DM will bring to the party.

Personally I would be inclined to complete AOW, Rescue, first aid and CPR skills and then concentrate on building my dive experience, and agree to be his experienced dive buddy.

Phil.

 

[rhwestfall]

Not knowing which agency, I might throw out the idea of MSD. In some cases, this is the same skills set, and not the "shop" or "demonstration" requirements. Perhaps that would suffice to your buddy? If you go the DM route, you are committed to maintaining your registration by being involved in classes, maintaining/re-qualifying, and carrying insurance as you are expected to always be working as a professional for all dives. Your obligations climb as do your responsibilities....

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Is there any advantage to pursuing DM certification just to dive with friends? I have a pilot friend who would like to get back into diving. The last time he dived was about 20 years ago while stationed overseas. He offered me a deal: get DM certified and he would pay for my travel anywhere in the world so I could dive with him and another friend. Initially, I suggested he just do a refresher course at a LDS or dive resort, which he agreed to, but he insisted that I get my DM certification to partake in his offer. I could see him wanting a more experienced dive buddy and someone to take care of the logistics, etc., but I can't imagine needing to plan and lead dives in most of the locations we're likely to go and the dive operations we'll be using. And if I did have to do so, I'd be fine with it at my current level. Are there any advantages to getting DM certified in this scenario?

It may be that his insurance gives him a better rate if he has a DM on board. Or it might just be a personal preference sort of thing ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[boulderjohn]

as you are expected to always be working as a professional for all dives.

You are only working as a professional on dives in which you are working as a professional--meaning that you have official professional responsibility for someone else on that dive. If you have no such professional responsibility for anyone on a dive, you are no different from any other diver.

In this case, that he would have professional status on any dive he did with the individual paying his way.

 

[TMHeimer]

I'd say there's the advantage right there.

I hope my dive buddy (who has his DM) doesn't see this thread, as I only have an OW.

Yes, of course. Have to admit I've never heard of this situation. I would wonder if you being a DM who is paid by your friend would be allowed by some dive ops as an alternative to their own DMs being used? For sure, you get quite a bit of knowledge in the DM course. Aside from the physics/physiology (at least in the "old course") you have to refine your skills to demonstration quality. This may well be beneficial to your friend and his buddy should they have a problem at some point. But the course is a lot of work, time and money. I don't think your friend is paying for your course, is he? It seems like a good deal for you if there are several nice trips in the future for you. Of course, there is agency membership dues and insurance costs (with PADI, I believe you pay the full fee if you are leading divers, as opposed to what I did--pay a fair bit less to just assist with courses). These fees are yearly that you or your freind would have to pay. If there is only a trip or two to occur, there would IMO be little reason to do DM unless you wanted to assist with courses (you can teach a couple of very basic courses as a DM) or lead as a guide--with a shop, dive op, etc.--other than just your friend. DM has a lot to do with assisting/teaching skills, and rapport with students and divers. And you haul lots of tanks.... I imagine it's like many jobs--for one comparison that of school teacher. You take a whole bunch of ed. courses, get certified, then really begin to learn how to be a teacher when you begin doing it for real. DMing will give you experience solving equipment/logistical problems. But if your first job is with your friend, you will not have this experience yet.