DiveMaster or IANTD Deep Diver?

[MikeFerrara]

Don't you still have to have the Deep Diver to do the Adv Nitrox though?

Yes the deep diver class is a prerq for Advanced nitrox.

The rec trimix class are new so I'm not yet clear on all the possible ways to combine them. for instance we have always combined deep and advanced nitrox or deep and basic nitrox but I'm not clear yet whether of not you can combine rec trimix also. I'll be on the phone with them next week so I'll find out more.

 

[Cave Diver]

What could this be? Why GUE's DIR Fundamentals of course Fifth-D has a couple comming up soon, and the cost is much lower than I remember it... this would also open the door to thier Recreational Tri-Ox, and Tech 1 courses

I think that's an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to advance. It will help you hone the basic skills which will make it much easier when you are ready to advance to something more challenging.

Good luck!

 

[WillAbbott]

Well, it looks like the final vote is in.


My biggest concern with DM training was the money to be shelled out after training, mainly the $200-400 in insurance (my shop said around $250 if you are only going to assist at a shop, $400 ish if you would do scuba reviews, etc, stuff on your own as a DM)

He said, they pay $10 per student per OW for DM's which doesn't sound too bad to me, if I could get 1 OW per month, with 5 students, that's $600 a month, which would pay for insurance and dues, and possibly help with some expenses... He also pointed out, you can start a company/corporation, which would alllow you have a tax write off at the end of the year, assuming you never make money... for me this doesn't matter as I don' make enough money to pay taxes in the first place.

He also was willing to take $200 up front, for books and class, with payment in full due in 30 days, or before the end of training (if I should finish in less than 30 days)

With this fact, and the fact that I only need to put $100 down to hold a spot for DIR-F and the soonest class is in March (several paychecks between now and then) I'm going to go up on Monday, get my DM books, and such, and reserve my spot in DIR-F to be taken in March.

So I guess two different paths begin... any OW/Pool time I get before DIR-F should hopefully allow me some time to work on skills for DIR-F (even though it's entirely possible I may do them wrong, it still gives the opportunity to practice while neutrally bouyant) They both should hopefully compliment each other when it comes to my proficiency with skills. Otherwise I'm sure they will be quite different...


I'm also hoping that there is no restriction allowing a DM candidate to begin participating in thier OW classroom/pool/OW observing/helping as there is a new OW class starting up this Tuesday, which gives for oportune time to get going... I also am not sure about the 800 yard/meter swim, as I'm not a super strong swimmer (finless, etc) but I'm sure I can do the distance, even if I have to slowly kick along on my back, and make up for time with the other dives where fins are allowed.


Thanks all for the input... here comences my transformation into the world of Professional diving, DIR, and the "technical" realm of water.

 

[Cave Diver]

He said, they pay $10 per student per OW for DM's which doesn't sound too bad to me, if I could get 1 OW per month, with 5 students, that's $600 a month, which would pay for insurance and dues, and possibly help with some expenses...

Just out of curiousity, how much does your LDS charge for a class?

 

[Cave Diver]

Thanks all for the input... here comences my transformation into the world of Professional diving, DIR, and the "technical" realm of water.

Good luck!

 

[bwerb]

I got to thinking a bit more last night, and stumbled across another idea, which I'm now leaning the most twoards... I should learn at least one new thing in the class, as well as get practice with skills, and improvement in skills... most of my skills haven't been practied for 6 months of more (go figure no matter how many times I ask, my instructor friend has yet to do an S-Drill or any other skill practice with me, different diving philosiphy's I guess) it should also give me an opportunity to perfect trim, and weighting issues.... though much of the class will be back to the basics, I hear nothing but good things from all levels and experience of divers...

What could this be? Why GUE's DIR Fundamentals of course Fifth-D has a couple comming up soon, and the cost is much lower than I remember it... this would also open the door to thier Recreational Tri-Ox, and Tech 1 courses

I love this thread...it was like looking at my own journey of thought patterns almost exactly.

I started diving and caught the bug. My LDS were great people, very encouraging and I started working through to Rescue...then...the push really started. "When are you going to do your DM?...You'd make a great DM...You will improve your diving so much more...You will dive all the time...etc."

I really liked the idea of wreck diving but the more I talked to the instructors the more I realized that they almost NEVER dove for fun or challenge...they basically dove with students either in class or in weekly dive outings. I looked at the deep and intro tech couses as something else which would be much more personally beneficial to my diving goals...but where to start...

So I started watching divers techniques locally...there were no shining examples of WOW that I came across (not that the vis is great ) I then started watching the DIR videos and some peoples personal diving videos...and the WOW factor hit.

I drove down to Seattle to take the DIRf and have never looked back. I realized WHY I dive. I dive because I want to be a great diver BECAUSE then it will allow me to dive areas and see things I would not otherwise be able to see. The skills were a means to an end. Alternately, FOR ME, I don't really have any interest in teaching or supervising...I'm on my own journey of learning and I don't really care what "agency X" says you need in terms of MINIMUM dive experience to DM (or instruct), if you aren't a shining example of WOW factor diving, you shouldn't be held up as an example for others to emulate.

I would encourage you in your choice. What DIRf showed me was the bar...and how to get there...the WOW factor as it were (effortless, trimmed, perfectly bouyant, 360 degree forward/back motion etc...) It also made it incredibly clear that this skillset is the foundation of diving (however you get the skills).

 

[WillAbbott]

Just out of curiousity, how much does your LDS charge for a class?

Not sure which class... and I'm not 100% sure on the costs of any class other than DM (first class aside from Nitrox I've taken from them)

DM is $350 for all books, materials, etc, excluding the encyclopedia or recreational diving (something like $50) so should be $400 total

I could have afforded the class, but not with putting down the $100 for DIR-F, plus I had to pick up a lift bag yesturday (and some bolt snaps, etc) and still need to order a spool. My parents are also willing to loan me whatever cash I need if I need to pay off the class sooner than I have the cash, or whatever.


According to the website the OW classes are something like $363 with you supplying all your mask, fins, etc. and $455 to include the cost of the fins, mask, etc... I seem to recall a flier in the store the other day too, that if you buy x amount of gear (think it was mask, fins, snorkle, gloves, boots, hood, bc, regulator, and maybe some other items) the class cost is free (course this costs you more money, but less in the long run, as you get the class free, and all your gear)


Hope that is what you meant.

 

[daylight]

Will,
I don't get your math. If your LDS pays $10 per student for an OW, and you have 5 students, then you get $50. If you do 1 OW per month you get $50/month. that brings your grand total on an annual basis to $600/year. That is about right for a DM.

 

[WillAbbott]

Will,
I don't get your math. If your LDS pays $10 per student for an OW, and you have 5 students, then you get $50. If you do 1 OW per month you get $50/month. that brings your grand total on an annual basis to $600/year. That is about right for a DM.

ROFL, you are totally right in my math, except my math was right on, my typing was way off, I meant exactly what you said $600 ish a year.

That really doesn't sound too bad, not with only about $400 in insurance and dues, that makes $200 to reimburse lodging, and other expenses, which many of the places the LDS's go are very innexpensive lodging... Sund Rock (which I think is what my shop uses for OW certs) is only $25-30 a night if you can get into one of the diver places to stay... Mike's beach (which many shops use) is a little bit more I think, but they also have the dorm type rooms, and what not.

It will be interesting to see how it all develops... I have to now (well soon) come up with a company name so that I can write off any losses as a DM, and need to form a holdings company which will own all my gear, etc., which I will rent it from so that IF I were to be sued, it's more protected

The brainstorming for a company name begins

 

[DORSETBOY]

If you're looking to do your dm to "make a few bucks" then dont bother!... the margins are unbelievably small in recreational diving as a source of income. Do your dm if you're interested in a leadership role within diving and helping others. I did my dm/instructor first and am now looking at doing tech deep diver courses... I wish I'd done it the other way round with the benefit of hindsight as I think any dm/recreational diving instructor benefits from having a greater all round knowledge of different aspects of diving.