DiveMaster, To Be Or Not To Be ???

[Erik Il Rosso]

I am currently attending an SNSI Rescue course and I should be certified pretty soon...

Instructor (and other people I know) says that the DiveMaster course is something that cannot be missed...

I love to learn new things but I have got a very big question...

I already work in shipping agency and got one boss so if I become a DiveMaster will I end up having another boss ???

I mean, one boss for 5 days a week, and when finally you can have two free days you got another boss who can shout at you if you do somenting wrong...

Is it worth being a DiveMaster ???

Ciao Erik Il Rosso

 

[Warren_L]

Depends on what you want to do, really. I did mine because I wanted to work with new divers and do the certification weekends that our shop runs on weekends in the summer, among other things. I don't really have a boss - I set my own schedule, work when I want. But I suppose your experience will depend greatly on the shop and the people you work with. And yes, it was quite a learning experience too.

 

[Snowbear]

Is it worth being a DiveMaster ???

Not if it gets you yelled at on your days off!!

 

[crispos]

Erik, I have seen divers with a casual understanding of diving become very good, focused divers after becoming a DM. I recommend it, and especially the PADI DM course. I am both a NAUI and PADI Instructor but the PADI one is quite thorough.

With your knowledge of shipping (I assume you are in the office?) you might also develop some expertise for example, in guiding around wrecks of the tankers you send around the world.

Yes, DM's sometimes have to face Instructors with limited time for repeating themselves. IF you pay attention, and use your head, you won't get yelled at.

 

[voop]

Erik, I have seen divers with a casual understanding of diving become very good, focused divers after becoming a DM. I recommend it, and especially the PADI DM course. I am both a NAUI and PADI Instructor but the PADI one is quite thorough.

With your knowledge of shipping (I assume you are in the office?) you might also develop some expertise for example, in guiding around wrecks of the tankers you send around the world.

Yes, DM's sometimes have to face Instructors with limited time for repeating themselves. IF you pay attention, and use your head, you won't get yelled at.

Crispos is right on the spot on all of the above. I personally entered DM-school and inst. scool with the sole purpose of furthering my own diving and not a thought on teaching/assisting/helping others -- those were considerations which happened only afterwards. DM and beyond, to me, was a chance to think about the details of what I do and how I do it, and learn things all over - as my course director said: "only when you have to demonstrate and explain something do you really realize that you never really could do the things nor knew why".

Go for the DM training, I say. It'll probably be hard work, lots of learning and lots of fun. And as Crispos said, you'll probably come out with a different point of view on your diving. Then, decide if you want to teach / assist teaching afterwise.

...ohh, and let's know how it goes

 

[Butch103]

I am currently attending an SNSI Rescue course and I should be certified pretty soon...

Instructor (and other people I know) says that the DiveMaster course is something that cannot be missed...

I love to learn new things but I have got a very big question...

I already work in shipping agency and got one boss so if I become a DiveMaster will I end up having another boss ???

I mean, one boss for 5 days a week, and when finally you can have two free days you got another boss who can shout at you if you do somenting wrong...

Is it worth being a DiveMaster ???

Ciao Erik Il Rosso

Well worth it for education purposes, but not if you think itwill provide you with unlimited diving excursions for free. Being a DM is hard work and demands your attention. Never had an instructor yell at me (only worked with three so far), and I wouldn't put up with it anyway.

I enjoy teaching (helping anyway) new people to discover the sport.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Brian Gilpin]

Erik Il Rosso

Focus on what you really want to do in diving. Trainining opportunities abound in scuba and you dont need to go pro to advance your diving.

Make sure you are trained by the best people available in your area. As even a DM candidate you are responsible for the safety of others. Do you want that life or death responsiblity? Can you count on your trainer to cover your back? Do you want to pay yearly dues and insurance?

Athough the DM courses test and improve individual dive skills, being a DM is ultimately a leadership role in which others will be relying on you. Frankly, having a student go temporarily missing from our group one day in murky water off Carmel CA taught me I dont want that much responsibility in my scuba activities.The legal risk is manageable but the moral responsibility cannot be avoided.

I enjoyed my DM training and enjoy perks such as organizing warm water dive trips and key man pricing. I wont go anywhere near an OW class.

If improving dive skills rather than leadership is your goal consider other training such as Master Scuba, specialty classes, DIR or whatever.

Have fun and keep us posted

 

[SDAnderson]

In the process of becoming a dive master you will learn things that will make you a better diver. You'll develop a deeper understanding of diving and divers and improve a wide range of skills. You'll have the chance to truly master the "how's" and learn a lot more about the "why's" of our hobby.

The rule book doesn't say that you have to work as a DM if you become one - I never have and never will. The thought of making work out of play just seems like a horrible idea.

It was hard work. Be sure that you have an excellent instructor, or, even better, team of instructors. Without them, the program is largely worthless. Unless you're just trying to move up to a black card...

 

[pitah]

Yes. go for it. I think that your instructor has saw you have potential and good skills so why not work on it.
When i finished my dive con course all dives you do, you have a different perspective even when you`re diving for fun, not for work.

good luck!.

 

[Snowbear]

But.

If you are getting the DM training to be a better diver - there are much more effective and less expensive (talking time and $$ here) ways of doing that.

If you are doing it because you like to mentor or are an aspiring instructor, it's well worth the effort, and you can eventually get free or paid for dives in as a result.