Divemaster, etc

[deadpirate2]

OK guys... I've had my open water for a few years now, thought I haven't had nearly as many diving opportunities as I would like.

I'm graduating college soon and want to do something completely different from everything I've been studying... take a break to do something I really love, in a non-book learning kind of way. I'm considering doing a divemaster internship and dedicating myself to diving for awhile...

but I don't really know where to start. What to look for? What to be wary of? How much time and money to expect to spend? What to do after I finish the certifications? I'd love to go somewhere new (outside the US) for this, as the goal is really to do something new.

any suggestions? this board has been a great help to me in the past though I never really posted, but I appreciate anything you can say.

 

[herman]

It's a good bit of work and expect to spend around $1000 by the time it's all over with, for the DM course only. You didn't say what your training or skill levels are but you will also have to have AOW,Rescue and a current CPR cert. IMO if you dive log does not have at least 100 or more recent dives in varied dive conditions, you also need to spend some time in the water. To do it right (no quickie DM mill) expect to take at the very least 3-4 months. Jobs outside of the US can be a problem....unlike the US, most countries take a dim view of foreigners taking jobs from the locals and actually require entry documents to work.

 

[Melicertes]

I'm graduating college soon and want to do something completely different from everything I've been studying... take a break to do something I really love, in a non-book learning kind of way. I'm considering doing a divemaster internship and dedicating myself to diving for awhile...

Don't expect to go do your divemasters and get away from the book learning. In DM, as well you should, you'll learn more theory than you have had to deal with in any other recreational diving course you might have done to date. If the DM course is presented properly, you should learn more about yourself and what you are actually, really capable of as a diver in a stressfull situation despite the fact that your brain stem will try to convince differently.

You will learn more about dive theory, physics, physiology, equipment, and deco theory than ever before, and if you want the most out of it you'll have to put your mind to it and become very, very well versed in all these subjects. You should also be able to demonstrate all open water skills practically in your sleep, with or without your mask and make it look smooth and seamless to anyone watching you. I'm saying that these are the skills you already have been taught in OW, AOW, and Rescue, but this time you should expect to demonstrate them at the drop of a dime as if you've been doing them for years and as they are second nature to you much like you probably have already mastered clearing your mask. A good DM is then not only fluent in text book skills but is someone who knows what to look for when looking at the ocean - learn to read the ocean conditions and know what to expect from them. You must aim to reach a level where you can implicitly rely on your knowledge of the sea and when to call off a dive because your gut tells you it's the best thing to do under any circumstances, no matter how much pressure people put on you. Respecting the ocean is one of the greatest lessons anyone can ever learn; indifference can be a death sentence. You will have to learn to also deal with people's insecurities, their egos, their prides and prejudices, and know where your own strength lies despite criticism from others. It can be hard work, but it can also be some of the most rewarding you can think of, if you choose for it to be.

I'm not wanting to scare you off, I personally think that it is probably one of the best ways to start taking a leadership position in your diving career which will also at the same time allow you to do something that you love, while perhaps earning a bit of money from it also. But if you think you're going to get away from learning and studying, I think you'd best consider something else. If, on the other hand you wish to expand your knowledge, skills, and experience this is a very good place to start from. But it will only be the start, whether you become a mediochre DM or a trusted and reliable one, will be up to you, and you only.

but I don't really know where to start. What to look for? What to be wary of? How much time and money to expect to spend? What to do after I finish the certifications? I'd love to go somewhere new (outside the US) for this, as the goal is really to do something new.

I'm fairly new in the U.S. so I'll rather let local experienced divers here guide you as to the hows, wheres, whens, and how much's. If you plan on heading out to South Africa, let me know - I can reccommend an excellent instructor friend of mine that will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need.

 

[mobster75]

Are you sure you really want to jump into the professional side of diving? It sounds cool to work towards and achieve the first professional certification of "Dive MASTER" but are you sure you want to be dealing with students and others needing to be guided on a dive?

I love diving myself, a lot, but I have 0 aspirations to do this on any professional level. Being a professional certification, wouldn't Divemaster require you to be bonded and carry a compulsory level of insurance for liability purposes?

If that's what you want to do, then good luck! Just be sure you really want to do it besides it sounding cool.

 

[ChrisA]

I'm graduating college soon and want to do something completely different from everything I've been studying... take a break to do something I really love, in a non-book learning kind of way. I'm considering doing a divemaster internship and dedicating myself to diving for awhile...

After OW you need to do AOW, EFR/CPR and then rescue before you can enter the divemster program. You also need at least 20 dives and to be 18 years old but you likely have that covered.
There is a timmed swim test too. Like 400 meters in some lonesh amount of time.

Most places locally charge $450 plus materials and a number of boat rides. You will need some equipment too. Total (in So Calif.) might run $1K Most shops will have you done in 6 to 8 weeks.
There is some book work involed but if you are up to university level classwork it will not be hard.
But you will get a stack of books to read.

After you get the DM card. You can find work but you will not be able to make a positive cash flow. You are paid either effectively well below minium wage or more lilejky with discounted goods or trade your time for some future free trip on a boat. But then I assume this is not for money. As long as that's the case, just a vaction from school then go for it

No I have not done the DM class yet. I'm in another dive program that ends in October. I'll do either DM or some other program this Winter.

 

[jbichsel]

Yeah, what they said. Plus.....

Being able to read people and spot the "problem" before it happens. A good DM is worth his weight in gold by being able to shadow those divers that will be potential problem divers.

The abiltiy to assess divers before they ever get wet, make visual and physical pre dive checks on each diver, resolve problems before divers enter the water.

As to book learning.....oh yeah. Get ready. Just the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving is enough to make you long for summer vacation, let alone Rescue, CPR/First Aid, DM manual, Diving, the Law and You.

Three to four months and roughly $1000 sounds about right. Did mine in 1990.

The diving requirements to start DM are quite lax in my estimation. 20 dive is not nearly enough to provide enough real experience for someone to be at the first step of the professional ranks. I think at least 100 should be required.

Trust me, as a DM at some point in time, some 90 lb lady is going to freak at 60+ feet and you are going to look like the ladder to the surface. When she pulls off your mask, yanks out your reg, gets a death grip on her power inflator and starts scratching and kicking you, you may wonder if it's all worth it.

Once you get her calmed down and she can complete the rest of her dives and becomes certified, you realize it was worth it.

 

[ChrisA]

I love diving myself, a lot, but I have 0 aspirations to do this on any professional level. Being a professional certification, wouldn't Divemaster require you to be bonded and carry a compulsory level of insurance for liability purposes?

Most people who take the DM class and get the DM card never work as DMs. They take the class because you learn a lot and improve your skills

But actually working is as you describe but worse for most it is a negative cash flow and you have less time to dive because you are on some boat working a clip board rather then diving.
But everyone I know who took the DM class says it was worth it and they improved their skills even if they never worked as a Dm after the required intership.

 

[Melicertes]

Being able to read people and spot the "problem" before it happens. A good DM is worth his weight in gold by being able to shadow those divers that will be potential problem divers. The abiltiy to assess divers before they ever get wet, make visual and physical pre dive checks on each diver, resolve problems before divers enter the water....

This nails it on the head.

The diving requirements to start DM are quite lax in my estimation. 20 dive...

Just for the record, this is a PADI standard and is a minimum 20 dives to enter the program, but 60 will be required for certification including documented dives in night diving, deep and underwater nav - it's just a technical point I thought I'd point out. :mooner: I don't know what other agencies require for entry and certification as DM.

As for the question about 60 dives is too little, rather 100 dives - the more the better I recon. Your experience is what will best instill a sense of comfort, trust and capability in your divers. The more you can guide out of experience the better DM you will be. The applicable mantra should be Learn, Serve, Lead! Well in diving terms I guess that should rather read Learn, Dive, Lead!

 

[deadpirate2]

thanks for all of this! some good points were raised, that I will definitely think about. I'm aware that there is a lot of theory work involved... the "book learning" isn't what I dislike, but rather I need som space from intellectual (and less practical) school (philosophy, lit, anthro). I love learning, but need a change of pace.

I have no idea whether this is something I want to incorporate into a longterm career, and I definitely am not doing it to get rich, but I think I owe it to myself to give it a try. As I said, I haven't had as many dives as I would like yet, but I've still got enough time and some good opportunities coming up before I graduate to get a lot of experience.

Thanks again, all!

 

[pwl]

just to add - do you find that you're helping people out on dives already?

or, do people around you already look to you for advice, techiques, comfort-factor?

if this is already happening & you're happy with it then it's more likely you're ready for the DM course.

i think ideally the course itself simply clarifies and consolidates skills, knowledge, experience & attitudes that you already have. if you feel like you're working hard at learning on the course, it might be a bit soon....