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If you plan on Leading a trip as an Independent, then do it as a independent. no store involved..A LDS is not likely going to use an independent to run a store sponsored trip. The store owner or senior instructor would. A DM cannot conduct training dives, advance class or specialties. So why should they use you?I'm back to looking at pursuing DM certification.
I'm not interested in teaching. My purpose would be to have appropriate training and credentials for leading club dive trips and having professional liability insurance.
As such, I would like to be free to work with any shop I choose, for the purpose of possibly running trips through the shop. E.g. I do all the work, they just collect the money and maintain the trip roster. It seems like being affiliated with a shop might make other shops reluctant to work with me. So, it seems most advantageous for me to get my DM cert from an agency that won't put me in that position.
It is my understanding that PADI does not require DMs to be affiliated with a shop.
Per a prior conversation with @sheeper, it is my understanding that SDI also does not require a shop affiliation for DMs.
SSI does require all their pro certs to be affiliated with a shop.
Are there any other agencies besides PADI and SDI that offer a DM cert that is not required to be affiliated with a shop?
TIA!
You forgot Number 6.and it is hard...if not impossible to make any profit as a DM. it's hard enough as an instructor and a shop!
Our DM students fall into several categories.
1) wanting the c-card to be able say "i'm a DM...look at me".
2) wanting to be a DM to bulletproof their skills and knowledge.
3) wanting to actually work as a DM for a shop or dive op
4) taking the first step towards being an instructor
5) wanting to be a DM to work privately as a guide and mentor
I think you know that I am no particular fan of PADI. But, for my purposes, I do feel like PADI's name recognition would be beneficial to me. Other content clipped