Divemaster in Phillipines

[beachbum32]

Positions here for pro-divers should firstly be available for local divers with many years experience/local knowledge - period. Overseas foreign divers - unless tourism priorities take precedence - must compete with dive pros in the PI's.

I know that many would like to help foreign divers, but there are many hundreds Filipino pro divers with vastly superior dive experiences in SE Asia/local sites looking for work to feed their families/compared to foreigners with less than 2000 work dives;

I agree somewhat. I have seen a few diveshops with local divers running them. Not sure how they do on the business level. Come to find out, some local divers, who said they were Instructors, with 2,000+ dives were teaching courses to OW students who didn't hold anything but an OW cert. Point being, the standards are not being enforced in some of these shops. Nothing like the sight of a "Local DM" with his hands on 2 tank valves steering around a couple of Koreans with no fins on.

The locals know they have to compete with people that actually went through the PADI training (insert your training agency here) to various levels. You say it's not fair, I say I just paid thousands of dollars to be trained right to teach the standards.

Everybody cuts their own deals in life.

 

[World Wide Diver]

I encourage anybody who wants to learn to become a dive pro to come here to the PI's. I just make the point that there is fierce competition here for work at the moment - like most places in the World.

PADI and other agencies have set standards that we have to meet and demonstrate as dive pros; Is education good? - yes; Is experience important? - yes.

Importantly, will I dive with an OW guide with 1000 dives? - yes, of course I will (as an experienced diver).

Would I employ an OW diver with 1000 dives as a guide? - yes, but I would personally put him/her through their Rescue and DM asap - at my cost.

I think that this is about professionalism/safety and how operators are viewed by paying guests (and more and more by overseas travel agencies as the dive industry continues to develop in the PI's).

 

[Topper1972]

Lately I too have become interested in doing a DM...and perhaps some level of instructor training...and I am planning to visit the Philippines starting early January 2010 anyhow.

It is not that I want to change career...it is more for the learning and the challenge.
I would be leaving the Philippines at the latest end of March 2010 anyhow...so I have a total of 12 weeks to use travelling the place, doing a DM and then also some fundiving.

If I want to do the DM at a leisurely pace how long would be recommended...1½ months?
And apart from Asia Divers in Puerto Galera where and who would be good places?
I am thinking somewhere a bit relaxed, but still with the possibility for a cold beer on a white beach on the occassional day off...sort of like Dahab in Egypt if you know that place?

Oh...I forgot to mention...when I hit the Philippines in January I should already be a PADI Master Scuba Diver (rescue+deep+night+wreck+nitrox+dig photo) and have around 115 logged dives.

 

[Ben_ca]

My goal would be to become a good diver and dive dive dive. I like to guide other divers but not the way i saw in Mexico and Thailand (factory style).

Taking the DM course is not the best path to become a good diver. You will probably guide tourists to the same sites many times over...

So tell me if you bring a group to a site 100 times....

Do you have 100 more dives or did you do 1 dive 100 times?


Go dive... gain experience then consider this path.

 

[CODMAN]

Sorry to disagree, but the standards, both theory and practice, necessary for doing the DM internship does make you a better diver (unless you are already past that level of proficiency of course). I learned a ton and honed my skills tremendously while doing it. It does not replace doing 1000 dives obviously... But in my oppinion, doing 1000 dives does not replace doing the DM course! Both will help you improve as a diver and are not better one over the other (OK, I'd rather the 1000 dives because it's just more fun...).

I hightly suggest the DM course to any diver interested in taking his diving knowledge and experience to another level... And of course, getting as much diving (as varied as possible) in as well!

Just my 0.02$

Taking the DM course is not the best path to become a good diver. You will probably guide tourists to the same sites many times over...

So tell me if you bring a group to a site 100 times....

Do you have 100 more dives or did you do 1 dive 100 times?


Go dive... gain experience then consider this path.

 

[CODMAN]

Topper, I would highly suggest a minimum of 5 weeks to do it... It can be done faster, but that is not as relaxing... Also, I highly suggest you do all the academic (theory) work before getting there. I did and it meant at nights, I was able to relax with a few beers with my instructors and totally enjoy my visit there!

Asia divers is considered a very good dive shop. You are in good hands. I did mine at Divedojo, which is a very good dive operation. Top notch. Although my instructor, who was really really good, no longer works there. His name is Ethei Robrigado and is currently working out of Captain Gregs.

There are so many good dive shops there, you could even arrive without plans and walk around to check out potential dive operations to do your DM course with. Check em out, talk with the instructor, see if you get along. because getting a good instructor (and one you get along with) is an important part of the DM internship!

Good luck and have fun!

Lately I too have become interested in doing a DM...and perhaps some level of instructor training...and I am planning to visit the Philippines starting early January 2010 anyhow.

It is not that I want to change career...it is more for the learning and the challenge.
I would be leaving the Philippines at the latest end of March 2010 anyhow...so I have a total of 12 weeks to use travelling the place, doing a DM and then also some fundiving.

If I want to do the DM at a leisurely pace how long would be recommended...1½ months?
And apart from Asia Divers in Puerto Galera where and who would be good places?
I am thinking somewhere a bit relaxed, but still with the possibility for a cold beer on a white beach on the occassional day off...sort of like Dahab in Egypt if you know that place?

Oh...I forgot to mention...when I hit the Philippines in January I should already be a PADI Master Scuba Diver (rescue+deep+night+wreck+nitrox+dig photo) and have around 115 logged dives.

 

[Topper1972]

Topper, I would highly suggest a minimum of 5 weeks to do it... It can be done faster, but that is not as relaxing... Also, I highly suggest you do all the academic (theory) work before getting there. I did and it meant at nights, I was able to relax with a few beers with my instructors and totally enjoy my visit there!

Asia divers is considered a very good dive shop. You are in good hands. I did mine at Divedojo, which is a very good dive operation. Top notch. Although my instructor, who was really really good, no longer works there. His name is Ethei Robrigado and is currently working out of Captain Gregs.

There are so many good dive shops there, you could even arrive without plans and walk around to check out potential dive operations to do your DM course with. Check em out, talk with the instructor, see if you get along. because getting a good instructor (and one you get along with) is an important part of the DM internship!

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for your excellent advice, Codman
I wouldn't consider anything less than 6 weeks for my DM.
The tip about doing a lot of the theory stuff before arriving does sounds very wise.
I will try get my hands on most the books in the coming weeks...might also be able to have a chat with some instructors I know and pick up some books when I go diving next week in the Red Sea.
Currently I am quite hooked on doing my DM with Thresher Shark Divers on Malapascua...they seem like excellent people...Aussies mostly I think which is really fine with me (I have lived in Australia for a year and still have bit of an Australian accent when talking English ;-)

 

[CODMAN]

Topper, if I may give some additional advice to think about. I've read some good things about Threshers Shark divers. But keep in mind Malapascua is very small and quiet(from what I've heard) and you are going to be there for a long time. When I was in Sabang, there was lots to do and nightlife, as well as varied restaurants. And, the dive operation and instructors were great; we really hit it off and they spent a lot of time with me while there (game me plenty of social life). This made the 5 weeks fly right by! I don,t know what kind of relationship you will establish with TSD, but if they don,t socialise much with you outside the office, Malapascua is not exactly the place you'll develop a booming social life! This said, you might have great interactions with them or you miht love being on your own. I just wanted to point it out that there is the potential for you to end up much on your own in a very quiet town. Food for thought...

Also, the diving in Sabang is very very varied! And the potential to experience pretty much any dive situation is there which is great for learning. It's also a great place to try Tech diving, which is another great way to expand your diving knowledge and experience.

If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask. Having gone that road not too long ago, if I can help I'll gladly share my experience!

Cheers!

Thanks for your excellent advice, Codman
I wouldn't consider anything less than 6 weeks for my DM.
The tip about doing a lot of the theory stuff before arriving does sounds very wise.
I will try get my hands on most the books in the coming weeks...might also be able to have a chat with some instructors I know and pick up some books when I go diving next week in the Red Sea.
Currently I am quite hooked on doing my DM with Thresher Shark Divers on Malapascua...they seem like excellent people...Aussies mostly I think which is really fine with me (I have lived in Australia for a year and still have bit of an Australian accent when talking English ;-)

 

[Evie G]

Topper, I would highly suggest a minimum of 5 weeks to do it... It can be done faster, but that is not as relaxing... Also, I highly suggest you do all the academic (theory) work before getting there. I did and it meant at nights, I was able to relax with a few beers with my instructors and totally enjoy my visit there!

Asia divers is considered a very good dive shop. You are in good hands. I did mine at Divedojo, which is a very good dive operation. Top notch. Although my instructor, who was really really good, no longer works there. His name is Ethei Robrigado and is currently working out of Captain Gregs.

There are so many good dive shops there, you could even arrive without plans and walk around to check out potential dive operations to do your DM course with. Check em out, talk with the instructor, see if you get along. because getting a good instructor (and one you get along with) is an important part of the DM internship!

Good luck and have fun!

Ethei is back at DD

 

[Topper1972]

Again thank you very, very much for your advice and input, Codman...it really is very much appreciated by me!

Now...I have been in quite intense contact with Andrea from Thresher Shark Divers (TSD) for the last 2-3 days...I think she has answered about 40 questions by me in some 20 email exchanges.
I have been in a bit of a hurry to get information and clarification on both the DM, the IDC and loads of practicalities...this is so because tomorrow I go make my first plane ticket bookings for my travel next year.

I have to state that I have never before encountered such good, informative, quick and kind responses to my many questions as I have experienced in my communication with Andrea from TSD.
I really mean that...I am so far very, very impressed by the care and attention that Andrea and TSD take of a potential customer/student like me.

Based alone on this attention and care to a potential customer/student on a scale from 1-10 I would give TSD and Andrea 12 points...the customer care I have encountered so far is really off the scale

Topper, if I may give some additional advice to think about. I've read some good things about Threshers Shark divers. But keep in mind Malapascua is very small and quiet(from what I've heard) and you are going to be there for a long time. When I was in Sabang, there was lots to do and nightlife, as well as varied restaurants. And, the dive operation and instructors were great; we really hit it off and they spent a lot of time with me while there (game me plenty of social life). This made the 5 weeks fly right by! I don,t know what kind of relationship you will establish with TSD, but if they don,t socialise much with you outside the office, Malapascua is not exactly the place you'll develop a booming social life! This said, you might have great interactions with them or you miht love being on your own. I just wanted to point it out that there is the potential for you to end up much on your own in a very quiet town. Food for thought...

Also, the diving in Sabang is very very varied! And the potential to experience pretty much any dive situation is there which is great for learning. It's also a great place to try Tech diving, which is another great way to expand your diving knowledge and experience.

If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask. Having gone that road not too long ago, if I can help I'll gladly share my experience!

Cheers!