Divemaster worthwhile for rec diving?

[BarryNL]

I'm wondering whether to do the Divemaster course. I can imagine a lot of what you learn is relevant even if you don't want to teach (but maybe do want to organise club dives, etc.).

Is it worth doing for recreational diving? And what are the associated ongoing costs? Do you need to pay money to PADI every year, and how much, to keep the qualification?

 

[nucem]

I think that it is worth it. I just started DM classes last week and have learned quite a bit from the reading I have done so far. I know that there has been alot of talk lately on the board about this issue so do a search and you will find those post. As far as paying PADI yes there is a yearly fee. It is $75US. In my opinion go for it, you will learn something and if you decide on teaching later on you are one step closer.

 

[LavaSurfer]

I'm wondering whether to do the Divemaster course. I can imagine a lot of what you learn is relevant even if you don't want to teach (but maybe do want to organise club dives, etc.).

Is it worth doing for recreational diving? And what are the associated ongoing costs? Do you need to pay money to PADI every year, and how much, to keep the qualification?

I think it was worth it, I learned a lot.
If you can do an apprentice program all the better, maybe it will cut the costs and its fun working wih students, sometimes...

If you have no plans to use DM for anything then A good decompression and advanced nitrox would be more useful and you can buy the ERD and workbook on CDROM and home study to pick up the other misc info. Home study, become a DM without a card and avoid the fees.

The fees are $80/YEAR if I remember right. I am on auto renewal so I don't actually see a bill.

 

[Diver0001]

Barry,

This is just my opinion but in order to get any lasting benefit out of the DM course in terms of your development as a diver you need to teach.

The course will give you some new theory and it will flesh out a few things that you already know, but if you're on top of your dive theory already you'll find that part of the course pretty straight forward.

The remainder of the course isn't really a diving course, although you'll need to make some dives for the underwater map and some of the modules. My buddy and I mapped out the reef balls at Dreischor for our mapping project and that took us about 10 hours under water (in the middle of the winter). What the course does is prepare you for assisting with the various PADI programs. You'll learn things like how to demonstrate a mask clear, but it's understood that you can already clear your mask.

However, having said that, *if* you decide to teach afterword, then the constant repetition of the basic skills will solidify them in a way that normal diving doesn't. In that sense, teaching has given me a feeling of control over the basic skills that I never had before. It probably does this for a lot of active DM's and instructors.

The same things goes for assisting in open water but, in my opinion, to a lesser extent. In Holland you'll find yourself much more in the babysitting and "street sweeper" roll when assisting in open water and when doing guided dives you'll be mostly busy with the logistics. In fact, when I do BD's (begeleide duiken) I usually arrange enough DM's to supervise all of the divers who need it and I spend most, if not all, of my time on the process. In fact, if I can manage it I try to stay top side to keep things organized.

Personally I dislike BD's. I DM mostly OW, intros and scuba reviews and it takes me to the pool one evening a week and every now and again in open water. Most of the time I avoid guided diving because I feel I get more out of diving when I can do my own thing. (It's also more or less volunteer work in my case so I feel completely justified in looking for a balance in this...)

of course, you'll need to get some experience with it to see for yourself what parts of the job you like. i know guys who only do BD's because they hate the pool work...

In terms of costs you'll get set back about €190,- per year for membership and insurance after you're certified.

If you're interested in seeing how the poolwork goes then you can meet me in either Rotterdam or Amstelveen and tag along to watch a scuba review and then we'll have more a chance to chat about it if you have any questions.

R..

 

[Wilson]

It was alot of work for me, but I got through it. I guess for me it was more about what I became during the process than what I would do with it. I've gotten a little work doing refreshers and tagging on with OW classes and the NAUI costs are about the same as PADI's (plus you have to carry insurance). Now, I'm in the best shape I've ever been and have made this a regular habit (I did this at 48, not easy). It also gave me a place to organize all the intangibles of my diving and put a label on it. I've had numerous opportunities to work with other divers and organize events and that's where the fun part is for me. Hope this helps.

 

[Trixxie]

It was alot of work for me, but I got through it. I guess for me it was more about what I became during the process than what I would do with it. Now, I'm in the best shape I've ever been and have made this a regular habit . It also gave me a place to organize all the intangibles of my diving and put a label on it.

I agree with Wilson. Going through DM has changed alot in my life as well.

I finished my DM on 9/16. Currently, I have no desire to teach classes *but* what I want to do and have done is assist individual students who might having difficulties w/a skill or with the tables or whatever while the instructor continues with the other students in the class. I think what is learned in the DM course is worth it, wish the instruction in OW was more detailed than it is.

I think continuing diving education is important along with diving experience.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Don't forget the liability insurance if you are going to be acting in the capacity of a DM. If you want to do the DM class just to do it, it's not worth it. If you want to do it to organiza a local club's events, it's not worth it. If you want to do it for the reasons Diver0001 points out, then it may be worth it for you. I didn't make any money as a DM, at least not enough to cover costs. I make more as an instructor, but again, it's not much. I do it for the love of diving, no other reason.

 

[rico68]

If you are certain this is for recreational purposes and you don't want to assist with students or really be involved as a "pro," another option for you would be the NAUI Master Scuba Diver course. Unlike PADI & SSI, NAUI's MSD is a structured course. The academics are very similar to the PADI Divemaster program, without the leadership portions. Content includes Diving Physics, Physiology, Decompression/Recompression Theory, Environment, Advanced Diving techniques, night/limited vis diving, light salvage, navigation, boats, etc.

I went the NAUI MSD route because I knew I didn't want to be involved with students.

Just a thought. Always nice to have options.

 

[ScubaDivaDivemaster]

I'm with Wilson on his points.
Yes, you have to pay PADI AND have your current insurance paid up every year, which is around $250+/- (for just the insurance). I've never been paid as a DM, we do it for the love of the sport in our area, no one's ever gotten paid that I know of, at least around here. I've been told by some people that they pay for DM's in New York.

You could also do the Master Scuba Diver course, which is all recreational instead of the professional Divemaster route.

Good luck!

 

[Cacia]

If you travel, one benefit that means a lot to me is that they let you do what you want quite a bit more. Since I like to take pictures and often like to be on my own program, it makes a difference. Also, even if you are not "working", if you help out, the local captains might give you free seats when there is not a full boat, etc.