Divemaster Training and Employment

[lael]

i recently returned from 5 months of travelling during which i received my open water (koh tao) and advanced (sipidan) certifications. i have another year before i return to school and was hoping to finish my rescue and divemaster so that i could find work (hopefully somewhere warm!) as a dm. i would like to do my rescue at home (canada) and then travel somewhere (cheap and warm are only requirements-new zealand may also be an option) to continue with my divemaster course-hopefully find employment with this dive shop after completion of the course. trying to research online i've found it very difficult to determine quality of dive shops and whether or not offers of internships and 'free' dive courses are legit. any advice or suggestions of locations/specific dive shops would be greatly appreciated!! is it very difficult to find work as a dm? would the pay generally be enough to cover living expenses (food, accomodation ect)? Thank you!!

 

[Divmstr223]

From my experience as a Divemaster and talking with Other Divemasters....they generally do not make too much money and depend on tips when on boats etc..... If you are looking to make $$ to live on at least...Log dives, gain experience and become an Instructor. DiveMaster can be alot of work with little $$ coming your way....

I'm sure some situations can be the opposite of what I've stated, but it's rare....


**And please do not rush your way into becoming a Professional diver....it takes time and people depend on you....

 

[skippy77]

i became a dive master on an iternship programme and worked for the school after u dont get rich i was getting 500 euros a month and had to pay for everything ouy of that

 

[skippy77]

what is mof

 

[DiverBuoy]

Mask On Forehead

 

[skippy77]

thanks diverbouy was bugging me

 

[AndyNZ]

There's not that many jobs for DMs in New Zealand, most work is done by instructors. Unless you have other skills - boat handling, skippers ticket, service technician, compressor maintainence then you'll be struggling to find work.

I know a few of the dive centers will do DM internships at reduced rate if you work - but don't expect to be paid and you'll get worked a lot. Most will still charge you for the DM course. Some options to consider are:

Dive Tutukaka - www.diving.co.nz
Goat Island Dive - www.goatislanddive.co.nz
Dive HQ - www.divehq.co.nz (locations nationwide - each is franchised, so will have different T&Cs)
Tairua Dive - www.divetairua.co.nz
Dive Centre - www.divecentre.co.nz
Orakei Dive - www.orakeidive.co.nz
Dive White Island - www.divewhite.co.nz

These are a few of the major charters/shops in the north of the north island, which is the only place that can really be considered "warm". Water temperatures vary from around 13 degC in winter to around 22 degC in summer. The further south you go, the colder it gets.

Depending on your age, you might be best applying for a working holiday visa and working part time in any job you can find, whilst paying for your DM course (typically NZ$1200) and not just grunting tanks around in your spare time. Send me a PM if you want more information on NZ or any recomendations.

 

[SheriffMedic]

You can't really make a living as a divemaster. If you want to become a professional diver I would look into commercial/hardhat diving and gain an underwater skill like underwater welding. I have been offered a chance to shadow/intern for a commercial hard hat diver beginning this summer. I am a paid divemaster for the EMS agency I work for but the amount of time I am actually functioning as a divemaster is probably less than 100 hours a year.

Instructor or commercial diver with a specialty is the way to go. Also, my advice, if your going on a cattle boat in the Caribean to dive bring your openwater card, not your divemaster card!

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

Well. I'm a DM in the Red Sea. I don't think you could make real money as a DM. However, if you want a warm and cheap place, you're most welcome.