Becoming a DM at55

[GrandWazoo]

I am at a point in my life where I would prefer to have a less stressful job, I am a chef and 55 y/o, I am in excellent physical health but getting tired of this career. I am considering a change and my desire is to work either as a DM or managing a dive shop, I have many years of managing staff, purchasing etc., It makes sense to manage a shop as opposed to being a DM but I think that should be a stepping stone. Is this a feasible possibility?

All opinions welcome

 

[Jcp2]

If you have significant personal assets, you have to think about the liability exposure.

 

[GrandWazoo]

possibility

Is this a feasible possibility

Sorry, it is redundant, is it possible

 

[rongoodman]

Is your dive count accurate as posted? If so, what do you see yourself bringing to the table as a DM?

 

[GrandWazoo]

If you have significant personal assets, you have to think about the liability exposure.

can you elaborate?

 

[GrandWazoo]

Is your dive count accurate as posted? If so, what do you see yourself bringing to the table as a DM?

I am a new diver, I am not going into this lightly and plan to have many more dives before I would consider this

 

[Centrals]

I am at a point in my life where I would prefer to have a less stressful job, I am a chef and 55 y/o, I am in excellent physical health but getting tired of this career. I am considering a change and my desire is to work either as a DM or managing a dive shop, I have many years of managing staff, purchasing etc., It makes sense to manage a shop as opposed to being a DM but I think that should be a stepping stone. Is this a feasible possibility?

All opinions welcome

Anything is possible and good luck.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

Sure. Why not?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Truthfully, as a DM, no. Unless you’re already independently wealthy.​

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As an instructor who also works at a shop either in sales or service or manages the shop, perhaps.​

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Pretty much everyone I know that works in the dive industry has some other form of income. Either they retired from one job and this is their second career, or they have a working spouse, or they have another job or possibly even a third job as well.​

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The exception are those who own a successful shop or a few very experienced instructors/course directors that I know.​

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I don’t personally know of a single person who has been able to support themselves as a DM.​

 

[Jcp2]

can you elaborate?

You will have to get professional liability insurance and if you have personal assets beyond what the policy will cover, there is the risk of a diver or divers family going after those assets as compensation should something bad happen to a diver under your professional supervision.