I just finished reading a prevous post about a Dm that supposedly was not doing his job. I'm curious, as divers what do you think my job description is. Before you reply let me say this. I work for tips, I've been in training every since my first pool session thru advance tri mix, I'm a divemaster and required to keep insurance plus pay annual agency dues,bought all my equipment and had it serviced at full price and probably make at least 300 dives a year all at my expense and time. All because I happen to love diving.
Divemasters, is it really our job ?
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garyfotodiver
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Well, what is your job? I suppose you became a DM becase you wanted to; no one threatened to break a part of your body if you did not.
On the boats I dive the DMs, who also work for tips, have certain responsibilities. The captain spells the responsibilities out before we leave the dock. A good DM can make a recreational dive a much better experience.
Are you perhaps speaking of the divers who expect a hand-holding session, with the DM doing all the work except breathing for the divers? That is a training issue, one that the agencies would have to address.
Just one man's opinion. One who is seriously thinging of taking the SSI DiveCon course.
On the boats I dive the DMs, who also work for tips, have certain responsibilities. The captain spells the responsibilities out before we leave the dock. A good DM can make a recreational dive a much better experience.
Are you perhaps speaking of the divers who expect a hand-holding session, with the DM doing all the work except breathing for the divers? That is a training issue, one that the agencies would have to address.
Just one man's opinion. One who is seriously thinging of taking the SSI DiveCon course.
I think I don't really know what a divemaster's job is supposed to be (which is why I asked the question on that other thread). I've seen divemasters assist with classes. I've seen them work on boats where they helped divers gear up and get into the water, and did the briefing about the dive site and expected conditions and currents, but didn't dive. I've also done dives that were led by a divemaster (or instructor), where I assumed the divemaster was functioning as a guide -- someone familiar with the site and where the best things were to be seen. I've always dived with my own buddy, so I never figured the divemaster was "responsible" for me. I've never been unhappy with the role a divemaster played on any dive where one has been working, whether in or out of the water.
There's rent-a-buddy mode, where DM is truly acting as a quite experienced site familiarization person for one other diver. In that case there should be full buddy checks, hand signal review, sticking close to the buddy.
There's charter group guide. In that case DM is helping with equipment setup on the boat (unless specific divers are don't-touch-my-equipment -- their choice, ask in advance).
DM then does the site briefing -- general path being followed, any standard landmarks, special site safety recommendations (e.g., on a deep dive, spending an extra minute at half depth on the way up, if it's a wreck discussing whether there are any "safe" penetration areas), recommended turn pressure guidance.
DM checks to see if anyone is buddyless, and if someone is alone understand whether they desire a buddy or wish to act in a solo mode (in solo mode a good DM still will try to keep an eye on the diver, if the diver is close to the overall group, do a periodic gas check signal perhaps, but it's a very loose "leash").
If a diver is buddyless, doesn't want to be, DM pairs the diver up (ideally there's another single diver, else a triple [not optimal, but better than an unintended solo]).
DM asks if everyone has done their buddy checks (don't have to actually go to each pair, just a polite question to the group, a reminder).
A discrete valve check/question (gas fully on?) when divers are about to enter the water.
Camera handoff from the boat to the divers.
Underwater, DM leads, points out interesting formations, flora, fauna.
It's much easier when there are a couple of DMs with a group, then one DM is lead, another acts as sweep at the back.
One thing I'd personally be leery about is if a person indicates they're alone/solo, the dive is deeper than 25-30 feet, and I don't see the diver carrying redundant gas (a pony). In that case the diver should be paired/tripled, doesn't matter if I think they said they want to be solo -- basic safety at depth requires access to backup gas. (People are ultimately personally responsible, but as DM you want to catch obvious whoopses, and solo deep without backup classifies as an obvious this-isn't-right)
Concerning the other thread, lack of communication does happen, but if the "solo" diver was indeed going deep, didn't have backup gas, that one item would be a flag against the DM -- other attributes would be the diver's responsibility (in other words, DM should catch the no-backup-gas issue, but the client also, as a responsible diver, should not be attempting the dive, or should be explicitly running a shallow profile, and state that up front).
There's charter group guide. In that case DM is helping with equipment setup on the boat (unless specific divers are don't-touch-my-equipment -- their choice, ask in advance).
DM then does the site briefing -- general path being followed, any standard landmarks, special site safety recommendations (e.g., on a deep dive, spending an extra minute at half depth on the way up, if it's a wreck discussing whether there are any "safe" penetration areas), recommended turn pressure guidance.
DM checks to see if anyone is buddyless, and if someone is alone understand whether they desire a buddy or wish to act in a solo mode (in solo mode a good DM still will try to keep an eye on the diver, if the diver is close to the overall group, do a periodic gas check signal perhaps, but it's a very loose "leash").
If a diver is buddyless, doesn't want to be, DM pairs the diver up (ideally there's another single diver, else a triple [not optimal, but better than an unintended solo]).
DM asks if everyone has done their buddy checks (don't have to actually go to each pair, just a polite question to the group, a reminder).
A discrete valve check/question (gas fully on?) when divers are about to enter the water.
Camera handoff from the boat to the divers.
Underwater, DM leads, points out interesting formations, flora, fauna.
It's much easier when there are a couple of DMs with a group, then one DM is lead, another acts as sweep at the back.
One thing I'd personally be leery about is if a person indicates they're alone/solo, the dive is deeper than 25-30 feet, and I don't see the diver carrying redundant gas (a pony). In that case the diver should be paired/tripled, doesn't matter if I think they said they want to be solo -- basic safety at depth requires access to backup gas. (People are ultimately personally responsible, but as DM you want to catch obvious whoopses, and solo deep without backup classifies as an obvious this-isn't-right)
Concerning the other thread, lack of communication does happen, but if the "solo" diver was indeed going deep, didn't have backup gas, that one item would be a flag against the DM -- other attributes would be the diver's responsibility (in other words, DM should catch the no-backup-gas issue, but the client also, as a responsible diver, should not be attempting the dive, or should be explicitly running a shallow profile, and state that up front).
It's a good question.
If we go the the text for an answer it will tell us that a DM may be expected to be everything from a training assistant to a counseler.
When I talk about the role of a DM it's often from my own perspective. If I travel and dive unfamiliar sites, I need information. If diving with a charter, the DM can be a source of information and save me research time or even dive time looking for points of interest. If a DM actually gets into the water and makes it really easy for me to find those points of interest I'll still control my own dive and play an active role in it's planning.
Then we have the reality of the rest of the diving world. That is that many do a quicky OW course and head for the tropics. They may do this once or several times per year over many years. They often never get any better and don't learn much even if they do a few local dives or even take a little coned like an AOW course. They go to the resort and rely on them to pick the site, plan the dive and lead them around. If I had a nickel for everytime I heard or read of a diver who ran out of air or nearly so and complained that they kept showing their SPG to the DM and he didn't do anything, I'd be wealthy. I'm convinced that if a resort DM dropped to the bottom and swam (or even just sat) long enough that half the group would stay with him until their inevitable deaths by drowning and never make for the surface unless the DM lead them there. Similarly, I know of DMs leading groups of novice divers into wrecks at 90 ft beyond the lighted zone where the DM is the only one in the group with a light and divers barely making it back to the boat before running their tanks dry. Every OW certified diver knows that a dive like this is beyond what they're trained and equiped for yet they will blindly follow. The same is true for newly certified divers who will go to Cozumel and do their very first post cert dive as a 90 ft drift dive. I could go on.
The simple fact is that the dive training that's common and popular is geared for teaching a diver just enough to survive UW if some one else does all the important stuff for them.
So, what should a DM's job be or what is it? I think that a resort DM had better be prepaired to do everything for their divers except breath and you may have to do that for them too. The agencies and shops aren't working on sending you divers. They're sending you underwater tourists who might be able to handle the breathing as long as you do the rest.
If we go the the text for an answer it will tell us that a DM may be expected to be everything from a training assistant to a counseler.
When I talk about the role of a DM it's often from my own perspective. If I travel and dive unfamiliar sites, I need information. If diving with a charter, the DM can be a source of information and save me research time or even dive time looking for points of interest. If a DM actually gets into the water and makes it really easy for me to find those points of interest I'll still control my own dive and play an active role in it's planning.
Then we have the reality of the rest of the diving world. That is that many do a quicky OW course and head for the tropics. They may do this once or several times per year over many years. They often never get any better and don't learn much even if they do a few local dives or even take a little coned like an AOW course. They go to the resort and rely on them to pick the site, plan the dive and lead them around. If I had a nickel for everytime I heard or read of a diver who ran out of air or nearly so and complained that they kept showing their SPG to the DM and he didn't do anything, I'd be wealthy. I'm convinced that if a resort DM dropped to the bottom and swam (or even just sat) long enough that half the group would stay with him until their inevitable deaths by drowning and never make for the surface unless the DM lead them there. Similarly, I know of DMs leading groups of novice divers into wrecks at 90 ft beyond the lighted zone where the DM is the only one in the group with a light and divers barely making it back to the boat before running their tanks dry. Every OW certified diver knows that a dive like this is beyond what they're trained and equiped for yet they will blindly follow. The same is true for newly certified divers who will go to Cozumel and do their very first post cert dive as a 90 ft drift dive. I could go on.
The simple fact is that the dive training that's common and popular is geared for teaching a diver just enough to survive UW if some one else does all the important stuff for them.
So, what should a DM's job be or what is it? I think that a resort DM had better be prepaired to do everything for their divers except breath and you may have to do that for them too. The agencies and shops aren't working on sending you divers. They're sending you underwater tourists who might be able to handle the breathing as long as you do the rest.
DM's work for tips alone? Outageous in my experience. The only time I was in that role was on a boat with 35 customers. Three of us shared less than $100 in tips. And there was lots of hand-holding and gear assistance.
Agree with the last four posts on this issue.
Agree with the last four posts on this issue.
here here Mike.
Xanthro
Guest
Lot's of good information so far, as is usual on scubaboard.
I'll take a different tack, not what usually goes on, but the behavior from DMs that earns a big tip from me. Since the OP works only for tips, this may help if others tip like I do.
Tell me about local conditions, so I can plan my dive better.
Pre dive have displays ready for rare creatures that may be encountered on this dive, and how to find them. If hitting the water with us, ask which creatures the divers would like you to search out.
If you hit the water with the divers, have a method to distinguish you from other divers and other DMS. I've been on a trip where we were required to follow the DM and there were 2 other DMs in the water. All had the same gear, same lights, were the same height. Everyone ran into one another and who could tell which DM from the other. Light sticks are cheap, have one tied to you tank so you are easier to follow if we are required to follow you.
Gently lower cameras, treat them as your own.
Ask people if they need a hand with gear. Some don't want their gear touched, others stuggle alone. The faster everyone gets geared up and in the water, the more time spent in the water.
If multiple dive, fill tanks without asking. If the procedure is rings on tanks mean fill, ensure that some tank with a ring is always being filled. Nothing is worse than delayed dives because crew was talking while tanks go unfilled and dives are delayed. I've seen this often.
Be polite. Trust me, I know it is very hard and some divers deserve a smack upside the head. Resist this urge and be polite. Even if the smack upside the head would bring applause from the other divers, at the same time it shows a lack of concern for the divers.
Remember that with a 7mm hood on, many divers can't hear you. They aren't always being rude if they don't do what you say. When talking to a kitted diver, be in front so they can tell you are talking to them and concentrate on you. I've seen DMs yelling at people who had no clue they were being addressed.
Rinse off gear with fresh water if possible. On the best trips I've been on, I got my gear off the boat completely cleaned. While at home this isn't as big of a deal, on vacation, it was very very nice.
Offer people drinks and food. Some people will simply not take food unless offered. Perhaps it's a custom.
Smile. If you are having fun, then the divers usually have more fun as well.
Ensure you check people off when they get into the water, and check them in as they get back on the boat. I like roll calls to be done as they've been explained, and if you deviate from your own procedures, it makes me wonder about other things.
If there are not preset buddies, take the time to ask questions before budding people up. At least ask who needs buddies before you reach the dive site so they can talk and work out who will buddy with whom. I hate when I'm on a boat alone, they won't call for who needs a buddy, then at the dive site as we gear up, pair me with someone who's name I don't know. Much less the skill level.
Be available for a tip. If there is a jar, I'll put tip money in there, but I always try to tip exceptional staff as well. People have lost out on tips simply because I couldn't find them. I can't spend 20 minutes looking for you. All DMs should be topside, and somewhat away from other DMs so you can be quitely tipped.
I'll take a different tack, not what usually goes on, but the behavior from DMs that earns a big tip from me. Since the OP works only for tips, this may help if others tip like I do.
Tell me about local conditions, so I can plan my dive better.
Pre dive have displays ready for rare creatures that may be encountered on this dive, and how to find them. If hitting the water with us, ask which creatures the divers would like you to search out.
If you hit the water with the divers, have a method to distinguish you from other divers and other DMS. I've been on a trip where we were required to follow the DM and there were 2 other DMs in the water. All had the same gear, same lights, were the same height. Everyone ran into one another and who could tell which DM from the other. Light sticks are cheap, have one tied to you tank so you are easier to follow if we are required to follow you.
Gently lower cameras, treat them as your own.
Ask people if they need a hand with gear. Some don't want their gear touched, others stuggle alone. The faster everyone gets geared up and in the water, the more time spent in the water.
If multiple dive, fill tanks without asking. If the procedure is rings on tanks mean fill, ensure that some tank with a ring is always being filled. Nothing is worse than delayed dives because crew was talking while tanks go unfilled and dives are delayed. I've seen this often.
Be polite. Trust me, I know it is very hard and some divers deserve a smack upside the head. Resist this urge and be polite. Even if the smack upside the head would bring applause from the other divers, at the same time it shows a lack of concern for the divers.
Remember that with a 7mm hood on, many divers can't hear you. They aren't always being rude if they don't do what you say. When talking to a kitted diver, be in front so they can tell you are talking to them and concentrate on you. I've seen DMs yelling at people who had no clue they were being addressed.
Rinse off gear with fresh water if possible. On the best trips I've been on, I got my gear off the boat completely cleaned. While at home this isn't as big of a deal, on vacation, it was very very nice.
Offer people drinks and food. Some people will simply not take food unless offered. Perhaps it's a custom.
Smile. If you are having fun, then the divers usually have more fun as well.
Ensure you check people off when they get into the water, and check them in as they get back on the boat. I like roll calls to be done as they've been explained, and if you deviate from your own procedures, it makes me wonder about other things.
If there are not preset buddies, take the time to ask questions before budding people up. At least ask who needs buddies before you reach the dive site so they can talk and work out who will buddy with whom. I hate when I'm on a boat alone, they won't call for who needs a buddy, then at the dive site as we gear up, pair me with someone who's name I don't know. Much less the skill level.
Be available for a tip. If there is a jar, I'll put tip money in there, but I always try to tip exceptional staff as well. People have lost out on tips simply because I couldn't find them. I can't spend 20 minutes looking for you. All DMs should be topside, and somewhat away from other DMs so you can be quitely tipped.
pickens_46929
Contributor
Have to 2nd what Xanthro said above... and add my $0.02... I've been on some boats where the DM doesn't do anything other than add a 2nd topside person to satisfy the regulations so the dive operator can fully load the boat... I generally don't tip in this case... you really haven't provided any service...
Why do I tip? Basically if you did anything that makes my life easier and the trip more enjoyable or safer... help me more = more tip...
Frankly this applies above water and in the water. I tend not to use charters that require guided dives... it's nice from time to time but I don't like a babysitter as a general rule.
There have been some topside DMs that have earned larger tips than in the water DMs... again... why are you in the water with the group? Simply to satisfy a regulation or shop rule?
As for how DMs get paid... some work for tips alone (which I think stinks)... but there are often fringes for DMs that the average diver isn't aware of... like room and board at some resorts... free diving or training (just pay for the PIC card) when not working... and key man or professional discounts (nothing like getting a new drysuit directly from the manufacturer for 50% off list)... these all add up.
So I truly believe in what TIP stands for... To Insure Promptness...
As someone who's organized a few dive trips with anywhere between 10 and 15 people diving... tipping well can ensure great service throughout the trip and when we come back.
Why do I tip? Basically if you did anything that makes my life easier and the trip more enjoyable or safer... help me more = more tip...
Frankly this applies above water and in the water. I tend not to use charters that require guided dives... it's nice from time to time but I don't like a babysitter as a general rule.
There have been some topside DMs that have earned larger tips than in the water DMs... again... why are you in the water with the group? Simply to satisfy a regulation or shop rule?
As for how DMs get paid... some work for tips alone (which I think stinks)... but there are often fringes for DMs that the average diver isn't aware of... like room and board at some resorts... free diving or training (just pay for the PIC card) when not working... and key man or professional discounts (nothing like getting a new drysuit directly from the manufacturer for 50% off list)... these all add up.
So I truly believe in what TIP stands for... To Insure Promptness...
As someone who's organized a few dive trips with anywhere between 10 and 15 people diving... tipping well can ensure great service throughout the trip and when we come back.
