divemaster rating
- Thread starter domino22
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Phil TK
Contributor
Yup, I did my Divemaster with Sunshine (on Koh Tao Thailand). I was a DMT with them for 3 months and really enjoyed it.
Sunshine are affiliated to a giant op called Bans but are located on a quieter beach about a mile away from the very busy Bans resort.
Koh Tao of course, gets a lot of flack for being a bit of a factory but if you are doing DMT then it is ideal because you never have to wait around for a course assist or gain experience leading divers. They work you hard sometimes but you get good guidence and encouragement. The Bans resort is always crawling with instructors and there is always someone on hand to give you advice if you want to go over something you are not sure of. Lectures are regular and they repeat them if you ask -sometimes the very next day. Skill circuits are run several times a week too.
Downsides? -The dive sites are good but not outstanding however and that little island can get blisteringly hot on occaision, my Suunto read 45C when waiting on the diveboat tender one afternoon! Some of the instructors can treat you like a servant sometimes and yell at you, but I'm sure this isn't unique to Koh Tao. Beware of people who take advantage of your status, give what you get.
There are other good established dive ops on the island, -Buddha View for example -although I had a row with them myself and didn't like their attitude. Others reccomend them though.
I would go along to the island and do a batch of fun dives with all the big ops and see which one you like. Try Sunshine of course, they are a nice outfit -they get a lot of returning customers which means they are getting it right most of the time.
Phil TK
thanks philtk. let me ask a few more questions. they said 2 to 3 weeks is that possible? how about housing and recommendations, looking for cheap with a/c but not a dump and clean and safe? I can take about three weeks off from work and would have completed the medic/rescue diver cert before arrival so what would I be looking at after that. And I don't respond to being yelled at very good so based on that any shops who are more mellow which would be easier for me to deal with I suffer from a" low rectum tolerance level" so I try to avoid these type of people I hope you understood what I was trying to say politely. thanks
Phil TK
Contributor
2 to 3 weeks is a bit of a cram but it is possible -I would get the PADI DM manual right now and swot up in preperation. The Physics math spooks most people, make sure you are brilliant at tables and the wheel. -stuff you can sort out now and make life easier for yourself later.
Don't forget that the travelling will eat up a few days. The quickest route to Koh Tao is Fly to Bangkok-then fly to Samui ( immediate transfer if poss)and then get the fast catamaran from Big Buddha beach -which takes about 2 hours and goes to the Koh Tao port of Maehad -Sunshine/Bans/Buddha view etc are a 10 min taxi ride from there. Remember that on the way back you'll be flying within a couple of hours of leaving so -no diving the day before.
Koh Tao has basic to adequate accomodation, nothing luxurious really but comfy and mostly in the shade. Bans and Sunshine have loads of rooms some with air con for about 30% higher prices. The prices for clean and basic huts near the resorts are about 150 to 600 baht a night if you book them for 3 weeks. Bans and sunshine have a safe for valuables.
Don't worry about being yelled at, 'yelled' is probably too strong a word -'advised in a frank fashion' is a better description and it's no sweat and never in front of students, don't worry and anyway I reckon most of the instructors I worked with have moved on by now. But also remember Bans can handle up to 150 divers a day and it's natural that DMs/Instructors sometimes get flustered marshalling all those people - they are only human beings. Sometimes you will find yourself leading 'low rectum' fun divers and feel the need to 'advise in a frank fashion' too -but of course you bite your lip and stay cool and proffessional. All part of the job.
'Mellow' dive ops, Hmm. -Scuba Junction are worth a try, or maybe Asia Divers all on Sari beach but they handle smaller nos of divers so you might have the situation where you have to wait a bit for an assist apportunity. At Bans you get loads.
Any other questions are no problem Domino. Don't forget to find out about the other Thai resorts, although it's tough finding somewhere as cheap and dynamic as Koh Tao.
Phil TK
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