Dive Master Requirements

[jormax]

I am just about done with my DM class. The shop is new, and the owner is not sure how to utilize his 3 new DM's. What do other shops do for compensation and/or perks and what are the expectations of commitment by the DM to receive the perks?

 

[DivemasterSteve]

when i was working for a shop i got everything at a discount, most things were cost + 10%. when i put together a trip to run, my trip was 100% paid for and if someone else in the shop was running a trip and there was room for another person i could go for cost. all of my air/nitrox fills were free.

anytime i was in the shop, LOL which was very often, if a customer needed help, i would always help them. i worked with classes as often as i could.

steve

 

[jroy017]

I am just about done with my DM class. The shop is new, and the owner is not sure how to utilize his 3 new DM's. What do other shops do for compensation and/or perks and what are the expectations of commitment by the DM to receive the perks?

Most dive shops compensate their DM with free air fills and a discount on gear (somme get cost some get cost + X%.

However DM are usually expected to work in a minimum of classes and certs (wich you should receive some kind of payment for)

As for trips that depends alot but most of the time you never pay more than cost.

The best thing is to discuss everything with your shop/owner instructors and establish an agreement before hand. If you research the board you see that most diagrements come from the DM thought he was entitled to this or that wich was not at all clear with the owner/instructor etc....

 

[jormax]

when i was working for a shop i got everything at a discount, most things were cost + 10%. when i put together a trip to run, my trip was 100% paid for and if someone else in the shop was running a trip and there was room for another person i could go for cost. all of my air/nitrox fills were free.

anytime i was in the shop, LOL which was very often, if a customer needed help, i would always help them. i worked with classes as often as i could.

steve

Thanks Steve. Those make sense. Did the shop set any kind of criteria, such as help with clases 3 times per month, or one weekend of openwater dives per month for you to continue to get free air, and a discount. Also, were you compensated for you time at all?

 

[DivemasterSteve]

Thanks Steve. Those make sense. Did the shop set any kind of criteria, such as help with clases 3 times per month, or one weekend of openwater dives per month for you to continue to get free air, and a discount. Also, were you compensated for you time at all?

they didnt "set any kind of criteria" but needless to say, they knew who was helping out and who wasnt. the ones that only showed up around the shop when they wanted something found out quick that they were just like the rest of the customers and had to pay like everyone else did. those of us that helped out with classes and around the shop often got what i said in my 1st post. there were times that i might not be in the shop at all for 2 or 3 weeks because of my real job or what ever but at other times i would be there 4 or 5 days a week after work, plus working with a class on the weekend.

we didnt get any "pay" for helping out but we did get all that i have already said plus the owner would buy food and beer at least once a week for everyone that was there and had been working. i miss those days, i wish that shop was still in business but the owner wanted to move to the Bahamas so he closed up shop and went. i cant say that i blame him for that.

steve

 

[Scottri]

I've been working as a DM for 2 years. The shop I work for pays 1 primary DM for each class and other DM's are welcome to help out. All certified and insured DM's that actively work classes get free air fills, discounts on gear, paid for Dry Suit Orientations and skill reviews. I do a lot of skill reviews and dry suit orientations. I make enough to about break even on my expenses related to diving. I cover my gear costs and travel costs. Some shops don't pay their DM's at all. It varies from shop to shop and some intructors will pay the DM a little when they can. I didn't really get into it for the money so I don't think about it much.


Scott

 

[Diver0001]

I am just about done with my DM class. The shop is new, and the owner is not sure how to utilize his 3 new DM's. What do other shops do for compensation and/or perks and what are the expectations of commitment by the DM to receive the perks?

I get compensated in store "credits". I usually put them toward things like maintenance on my gear, new gear from the store stock (thankfully they're very flexible what what and when), additional training and so on. They were even nice enough to buy my Advance Nitrox books for me even though they don't give the course. The agreement I have with the LDS is €20 worth for a pool session (4-5 hours work) and €30 worth for an open water session (all day), which is about 1/2 of what the student is charged for my time. When I cash them in I pay "retail" prices and I'm not allowed to haggle with them over the price (I'm a born haggler so this was one of their conditions). I usually assist with training and I don't do many guided dives but when I do go along it's organised among the DM's (we have a whole herd of DM's) and I don't have a compensation agreement for that. Other DM's from our shop specialise in guided dives and excursions (even over seas) and they're compensated with expenses plus a kickback but I'm not sure how much.

What's really important is to make a mutually satisfactory agreement with them before you do work for them and then create a log book and track it all so everyone is on the same page. I know DM's who don't bother with this and since our LDS leaves it to the DM to track his/her own work the most the lazy DM will get in compensation is free use of the compressor.

R..

 

[ppo2_diver]

The shop I'm doing my IDC with doesn't hire DM's. Instead they leave it up to the individual instructor to select a DM. There is a list of current and insured DM's at the shop. If the instructor needs one, he/she starts calling until they can get one. It's up to the instructor to compensate the DM. Usually it is a free lunch and just enough money to cover gas costs. Somtimes a DM can get a little more money from the insturctor. Also, some customers do give the DMs tips. At the shop I get free air fills, PADI professional courtesy discounts on educational materials, and a discount on equipment.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I currently DM for two shops ...

At the one I've been DM'ing for the longest (and with the most well-established relationship) I get generous perks ... cost + 15% on gear purchases, free or discounted classes, free air, nitrox for $3.50 per fill, free labor on gear maintenance.

In return I help out with classes whenever I can, organize and lead the monthly shop fun dives, fill cylinders (air and PP nitrox mixing), and occasionally fill in for shop staff.

I've recently moved about 50 miles from that shop, so I'm also establishing a relationship with another shop that's only a few miles from my new residence. To date I've only DM'ed one class for that shop ... but they still give me free air, and I've gotten some pretty nice discounts on reg maintenance.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Brian Gilpin]

Unless you want to be what amounts to an Assistant Instructor DM duties in a typical LDS are limited. I like leading trips and our shop owner will let us get free trips and make money off them if we can pull it off as long as he gets a cut. I try to get trip participants to visit shop but try not to push the goods too hard.

To truly act as a DM you need to work for a boat,resort or lead dive trips. Most shops seem to use DMs as AIs. I dont know why they dont call them that. Maybe because most folks would rather be a master of something than an assistant something. When I see an OW student I just swim the other way. It scares me just to watch them.