Dillehay.. You mean Dressel Divers that calls the Iberostar A.I. "home" in Coz. You couldn't pay me to dive with Dressel and one of their newly certified "DM's" that has 1 one dive logged for every 20 dives I've logged. To each their own but that kind of op is not for me. I prefer to dive with a local resident DM who has spent so many years on the reefs of coz he knows them like the back of his hand, has worked his way up over the years, logged 1000's and 1,000's of dives as a DM, and quite simply knows his business where he is.
With regard to tridacna's friend who has a son that is thinking about being a DM and pursuing it for a living, I hope he understands that diving is a fun sport and hobby for all of us but day-in and day-ouit is a grind just like any other job. The days come for them just like all of us when that alarm clock goes off and the last thing they want to do is get out of bed, haul tanks and gear, get wet and cold, deal with idiots as there will always be some, and then watch all the vacationers depart on their merry way (hopefully having been handed some tips that will be shared) so they can enjoy thier beers and cocktails. Meanwhile, the DM's have a few more hours of work to do hauling tanks, rinsing gear, assisting the captain with refueling, and whatever else is necessary. Being a DM is a tough, hard job and I am always amazed how DM's can greet everyone with a smile every day and not ever lose their cool.
I think when your friend's son sees what is involved with being a DM he will conclude it is far better to be a dive tourist and get a job that pays enough he can travel and dive.
I welcome all responses and would love to hear from any career DM's out there who disagree with what I have posted.
