Becoming a Divemaster, pros? cons?

[Munchyshark]

hello,

I just recently got my O/W certification this year, and persued to get my Advanced O/W a few weeks ago. I've become interested in broadening my diver knowledge, and possibly becoming a divemaster. I've looked into it and know the certifications/qualifications (ie. rescue diver, more logged dives, etc) that I'd need to even sign up for the course.

However I was just looking for some other imput. I'm currently a student at university, and I'm not looking to become a pro diver for a career, but I think it would open up some awesome abroad summer job opportunities for me. What's the pay like, and is it worth getting if you don't plan on taking it further? What's the demand for commercial divemasters?

Any imput would be appreciated!

Thanks!!

 

[pir8]

You don't want to do it for the money, thats for sure.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I worked as a DM for a couple of years. Total pay, including tips; $0.
I did get several "free" boat trips as long as I stayed on the boat and watched other divers have a good time. I also got to carry my instructors tanks and weights for his students, plus help him move...twice! All I had to do for all this was to pay my PADI renewal and insurance each year and not dive much.
I'm much happier now just being a diver.

 

[dive_lover88]

hello,

I just recently got my O/W certification this year, and persued to get my Advanced O/W a few weeks ago. I've become interested in broadening my diver knowledge, and possibly becoming a divemaster. I've looked into it and know the certifications/qualifications (ie. rescue diver, more logged dives, etc) that I'd need to even sign up for the course.

However I was just looking for some other imput. I'm currently a student at university, and I'm not looking to become a pro diver for a career, but I think it would open up some awesome abroad summer job opportunities for me. What's the pay like, and is it worth getting if you don't plan on taking it further? What's the demand for commercial divemasters?

Any imput would be appreciated!

Thanks!!

Hi, i've just made up my mind to take the DM course.

You must know first why you want to take the course. Will it benefit you in the long run? What you plan to do with it? etc...

I want to take the course but not progress onto instr. Because i know i cant teach but i can take the responsibity of being a dive guide/DM.

 

[RauvenS]

Hi
That may be true what can happend being an DM but on the other hand I met a young American woman on Crete that has been going almost around the world diving by working as a DM. She would finish the summer in the Med and then go down to the southern hemisphere for another summer. Endless summers!!! Not a bad way to travel!!! Think about it.
Rauven

 

[dive_lover88]

thats one lucky lady DM.

 

[alcina]

thats one lucky lady DM.

Not luck. That's having a plan and executing it. I have several friends who do this and several who dive when the seasons are good in certain areas and then do the slopes for the rest of the year. They all make a living that suits them. None of them were called out of the blue the first time - they did the work, made the contacts and put themselves out there.

You can get out of it what you put in...you might just not be able to do everything in a single area

 

[RauvenS]

Hay Alcina
You Aussie got it right!!! Being a DM won't make you a millionare but you'll have fun, met people from all over the world, and in the long run make you a better person because you'll be doing what "YOU" want to do and not whats expected of you to do!!!
What I've heard that many places will put you up in living quarters and a small stipend.
But I'm sure this all can be negotiated. I'm sure you can find places on the internet but I'm sure that "if you chose where you want to be" and then find out what's available. Most important is getting the expirence now and dive in the most adverse diving areas. That's what I can also suggest to do. "NO big deal sailing in calm seas"!!
Good luck!
Rauven

 

[Bubble Junky]

I worked as a DM for a couple of years. Total pay, including tips; $0.
I did get several "free" boat trips as long as I stayed on the boat and watched other divers have a good time. I also got to carry my instructors tanks and weights for his students, plus help him move...twice! All I had to do for all this was to pay my PADI renewal and insurance each year and not dive much.
I'm much happier now just being a diver.

You'll hear similar 'tales of woe' to this one on here often - mainly from DMs in the US. I think that's the way it seems to work there, and also in the UK. But.......

I think it would open up some awesome abroad summer job opportunities for me.

It will !! As a DM you can find work abroad with pay !! A lot of shops in places like Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia use DMs as guides - rather than as assistants on courses. Working as a DM like this, you'll have a great time, and get to do some awesome diving. Alcina hit the nail on the head. If you wanna do it go for it, but you have to make it work.

 

[dive_lover88]

It will !! As a DM you can find work abroad with pay !! A lot of shops in places like Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia use DMs as guides - rather than as assistants on courses. Working as a DM like this, you'll have a great time, and get to do some awesome diving. Alcina hit the nail on the head. If you wanna do it go for it, but you have to make it work.

I agree about the courses, during the short diving exp i have. I have not seen the same DM being attached to the class, it's the instr that is remainding the same while the DM changes.

DM here acts more like a dive guide.