Divemasters, is it really our job ?

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Expect to be the butt of complaints on scubaboard when needy in over their head divers can't keep up with everyone else.

My divemasters are my slaves. They haul gear, watch over my students while they assemble gear and conduct themselves as a safety diver when I'm reviewing skills with new students. They make it where I don't have to concern myself with the small stuff and instead can do the job of instructing.

They are babysitters and are seldom appreciated.
 
Al Mialkovsky:
Expect to be the butt of complaints on scubaboard when needy in over their head divers can't keep up with everyone else.

My divemasters are my slaves. They haul gear, watch over my students while they assemble gear and conduct themselves as a safety diver when I'm reviewing skills with new students. They make it where I don't have to concern myself with the small stuff and instead can do the job of instructing.

They are babysitters and are seldom appreciated.
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ok well thats all fine..
im assumimg you take care of them yourself for all that work?
 
TSandM:
Sadiesmom, now I feel really guilty . . . it never occurred to me to consider tipping the people who helped with our classes. I sort of assumed that was taken care of by the dive shop, one way or another. We certainly have tipped the DMs on the charter boats here locally, where they work only for tips, and they work hard and are a lot of help. We didn't tip in Australia because the shop told us not to, and so did the DMs.
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There's no need to feel guilty. Tips are certainly not expected in a class situation. I'm just saying that in some cases, I've worked quite hard with certain students individually and even the offer of a beer wouldn't be unappreciated.

In my own case, I am paid for the class by my shop (but for the record, *not* all DMs are!), but by the time I drive back and forth to the pool for 5 nights, that's already used up in gas. That doesn't include the 90 mile round trip each day of the open water weekend to the dive site for the checkout dives. My perks? Free fills and a 20% discount on gear - but I already own my own gear (bought long before I was a DM at full retail), so frankly...that doesn't do me all that much good. Oh..and one instructor that I work with buys me lunch each day that I work with him. (I *really* like working with him :D)

I'm not saying this to whine. No one forced me to be a DM - I chose to do it and frankly, I don't *have* to work with classes if I don't want to. I'm not in this for the money. I do it because I like it - no - I love it :D. And eventually I want to become an instructor. (And I wouldn't get into *that* for the money either ;).) I'm just making the point to those who are unaware that *most* DMs make very little money other than tips. So if they treat you well, you will find them most appreciative of a monetary expression of your gratitude for their service.
 
SadiesMom:
There's no need to feel guilty. Tips are certainly not expected in a class situation. I'm just saying that in some cases, I've worked quite hard with certain students individually and even the offer of a beer wouldn't be unappreciated.

In my own case, I am paid for the class by my shop (but for the record, *not* all DMs are!), but by the time I drive back and forth to the pool for 5 nights, that's already used up in gas. That doesn't include the 90 mile round trip each day of the open water weekend to the dive site for the checkout dives. My perks? Free fills and a 20% discount on gear - but I already own my own gear (bought long before I was a DM at full retail), so frankly...that doesn't do me all that much good.

I'm not saying this to whine. No one forced me to be a DM - I chose to do it and frankly, I don't *have* to work with classes if I don't want to. I'm not in this for the money. I do it because I like it - no - I love it :D. And eventually I want to become an instructor. (And I wouldn't get into *that* for the money either ;).) I'm just making the point to those who are unaware that *most* DMs make very little money other than tips. So if they treat you well, you will find them most appreciative of a monetary expression of your gratitude for their service.
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what she said
 
Maybe this should go into its own thread, but I'm gonna post it here anyways.

How much would be considered a decent tip to DMs on a charter? $10, $20, ??

For those of you that tip your DMs on a regular basis, how much? Also, are these charters from the US, VI, MX, Austraila, PI or where?
 
fire_diver:
Maybe this should go into its own thread, but I'm gonna post it here anyways.

How much would be considered a decent tip to DMs on a charter? $10, $20, ??

For those of you that tip your DMs on a regular basis, how much? Also, are these charters from the US, VI, MX, Austraila, PI or where?
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depends on the trip...
a standard 2 tank charter.. offshre all day trip. overnight..
is it a tech trip.... how good was the staff...
i think its like going to a restraunt...
10-20%
when i would go on trips in the past.. id tip 15 to 20 for a charter
doing 2 dives
also how many sites..
if the crew has to hook a wreck. for dive 1 pull the hook, and do it again for dive 2 on a second dive.. well thats more demanding too....
 
TSandM:
Sadiesmom, now I feel really guilty . . . it never occurred to me to consider tipping the people who helped with our classes. I sort of assumed that was taken care of by the dive shop, one way or another. We certainly have tipped the DMs on the charter boats here locally, where they work only for tips, and they work hard and are a lot of help. We didn't tip in Australia because the shop told us not to, and so did the DMs.
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Divemasters are not generally paid to help out with classes ... not unless the instructor takes part of what they are paid and gives it to the divemaster. The shop owner will typically give the DM deals on gear purchases, free air, and sometimes free nitrox. Sometimes they'll get the "comp" spot on a boat trip (if the owner can't make it, usually).

And yet, in a training situation a good DM can be worth their weight in gold. Had a good demonstration of just that in my OW class earlier today. One of the students got a bit "enthusiastic" grabbing his inflator hose to vent ... beginning our descent down the buoy line ... and ended up pulling it loose from the elbow joint on the wing. The air gushed out of his wing, it filled up with water, and he sank like a rock. My DM was on it before I could even react ... grabbing the guy, holding him up with one hand and releasing his weightbelt with the other ... then towing the guy to shore. He was on it so fast the student didn't even have time to get stressed out.

We recovered the weight belt, repaired the wing, and completed the class. Afterward, we were even joking about this student's "extra training". Imagine the outcome if this DM had been a bit less on the ball.

So ya think this guy gave the DM a tip? I don't know, really, but I'd be surprised if the thought even occurred to him. Me ... I'll be giving him part of what I get paid for the class. As an instructor, you take care of the good DM's ... what they can add to the instructional experience is worth way more than they'll ever get paid ... :D

... Bob (Grateful Diver)
 
fire_diver:
Maybe this should go into its own thread, but I'm gonna post it here anyways.

How much would be considered a decent tip to DMs on a charter? $10, $20, ??

For those of you that tip your DMs on a regular basis, how much? Also, are these charters from the US, VI, MX, Austraila, PI or where?
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Wow, you really opened a can of worms with that QUESTION.
Do a search on the board for TIPS.

Well, I'm going to get a soda, sit back and watch this post take off.
 
Well It seems to me that your responsibilities depend on the role that you take (how’s that for a no answer answer, I shoulda been a lawyer...).

If you are working a class, with an instructor, then your responsibilities are to the class, as defined by the instructor and perhaps your agencies. This probably included the safety of the class members and instruction as specified by the instructor. Anyone, in the class, get injured any you may be held partially responsible.

If you are working on a boat then your responsibilities are different. You probably aren't responsible for the undersea safety of anybody, but may be expected to perform safety related operations on the surface. Skip basic safety steps, like making sure everybody gets back on the boat or let uncertified divers dive, and you may have trouble. You may also be expected to help people off and back onto the boat. On a recent dive my buddy got tangled in the kelp on the surface. the dive master helped him out, something he considered his responsiblity. I considered it beyond normal duty and worthy of a big tip...

If you are diving with an individual you should work out you responsibilities with the client. I am soon to do some dives with a DM to do some equipment check outs. I expect (constructive) criticisms on all matters (safety, buoyancy control, gear, skills...) something I don’t expect from the same guy when he’s working on a boat. Also I expect some educational value from this individual.
 
My assistants get paid 25 dollars per student. I never have to say a word to the good ones.
 
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