AI - to do or not to do!

[splishysplashy]

just wanted your opinions... i'm planning on working as a dm in aus this year, i have just recently qualified & so am not particularly experienced. bearing this in mind, along with the number of dms i imagine swarm to australia in search of work, would you recommend an assistant instructor cert? when i did my dm i know a lot of people wrote it off as not that useful, but given that i intend doing my idc at some point, would doing this first part earlier to assist in the job hunt be a wise thing to do?

thanks dudes.

 

[Diver Dennis]

A DM cert is very useful, even if just for the training.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Because you plan to take the IDC you will need the AI card. I got AI certified and then realized that I missed the fun of just diving and never went for the instructor cert. I like teaching, but I didn't have as much fun diving as I one did and I don't regret my choice. I've enjoyed diving more the past few years than I did my first few.

 

[Divedoggie]

IMHO
DM for awhile and keep practicing you rescues. You will gain experience and enjoy yourself a lot as a DM. When you decide that its time to pursue being an instructor, take the AI, wait a few weeks and then do the IDC.
All of the info will still be fresh in your head during the IDC. Take the IE as soon as possible after the IDC!

Good luck and have fun!