DM or Deep Tech?

[DivingCRNA]

Hi all,

I will finish up Rescue Diver Father's Day weekend. I will have the opportunity to take DM or Deep tech shortly after.

I am having trouble deciding what I want to do. Any pros and cons out there? I would probably like to do both, to help teach tech courses in the future, but only want to do one now.

Thanks for any help/ advice.

P.S. Wife might freak about deco diving....:huh:

 

[S. starfish]

Unless you really want to be supervising divers and possibly teachin rec. diving in the near future I would do with the tech course. You'll learn a good chunk about diving and it will open up more diving options for you (deeper wrecks, longer bottom times etc.). Just make sure you've got a fair bit of experience before you go for it.
Outside of a little paid work DM won't get you that much or open too many doors.

Just tell the wife that you're taking courses to help you stay safe while doing what you want to do.

 

[in_cavediver]

Hi all,

I will finish up Rescue Diver Father's Day weekend. I will have the opportunity to take DM or Deep tech shortly after.

I am having trouble deciding what I want to do. Any pros and cons out there? I would probably like to do both, to help teach tech courses in the future, but only want to do one now.

Thanks for any help/ advice.

P.S. Wife might freak about deco diving....:huh:

First, how much dive expierence do you have. Lots or kinda still working out the bugs?

DM is all about helping classes and taking care of other divers. Its not a skills class for you. (except in identifying problems in students). Also, if certified and wanting to use it, you need Professional liability insurance.

Tec deep is a step toward high credit card bills. Many would argue the need for a deep air class but if you learn the basics of high FO2 nitrox/oxygen decompression, redundant equipment, gas management et al, you'll be a better diver for it. Did I mention the high cost of the gear?

There is always a third option - just go dive and have fun! (always a good choice)

 

[Sharky1948]

Did anybody mention the cost of gear for tec?? My gear cost about 2.5 times what I thought was a generous estimate in the first place. I've got a frequent buyer card and undying gratitude at the LDS.

Agree with the other responses...DM is for others and tec is for you. It all depends on what your aspirations are.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I got DM and am now doing tech. Of course I knew this was the path I was taking over a year ago and started planning and gearing up for it. The financial bite was just as big but spread out a little. Also even though my DM is thru PADI I am not doing tech deep. 1300 bucks for a class to go to 165 on air is not my idea of safe. Look into the NAUI tech courses. RIght now I'm doing intro and heliotrox. Cost-400 plus fills and a couple boat fees. Next I'll be doing adv nitrox and deco procedures for about the same amt. After that over the winter I'll be doing full gas blender for 225, followed by trimix in the spring of 08 if everything stays on track. Besides spreading the cost out it will also let me get into mix sooner IMO making for safer deep stuff. I can also get more experience in each discipline before moving on. The DSAT program is not a bad one it's just not for me. The course materials are excellent but again not allowing helium until the trimix course seems shortsighted. Just my opinion. WHat you decide to do is up to you. I went this way to help with classes first and also to get the dive experience with lots of different settings, people and problems. I'm now doing tech because I don't get the rush diving on a reef looking at fish the way I do diving a wreck. ANd the wrecks I want to dive are sometimes deep and a few minutes at depth is not enough. I also feel the tech experience will pay off when I decide to do the instructor thing.

 

[kreuzerkrieg]

Do your DM, gather experience (and money) and when you feel confident do your tech. I see the DM as very important stage in developing diving skills. There is nothing to do with teaching/guiding, DM is not even instructor assistant, well, you can lead groups of certified diver, if you want to (I guess it depends on local legislation). For me it was an opportunity to emphasize on my diving skills.

 

[deepdiver1972]

Tec deep is a great thing to do if you are cut out for it. There is a tremendous burden of heavy cumbersum gear, so you better have a strong back and legs. Also there is a huge cost for training, gear and gases and it never seems to end. However, to go really deep and see the things few ever get to, it's the only way. Have alot of dive experience first and realize death and or serious injury are very real possibilities. Deep down is a hostile environment very unforgiving of mistakes. My good friend and dive buddy died from a serious case of the bends a few months ago when he had a problem down deep and it rocketed him to the surface from 200 feet. You can do it, but don't skimp on training or gear. Your life will depend on it. You get what you pay for.

 

[ronbeau]

Do your DM, gather experience (and money) and when you feel confident do your tech. I see the DM as very important stage in developing diving skills. There is nothing to do with teaching/guiding, DM is not even instructor assistant, well, you can lead groups of certified diver, if you want to (I guess it depends on local legislation). For me it was an opportunity to emphasize on my diving skills.

That depends on the agency. A NAUI Dive Master is one step before instructor and one step after Assistant Instructor.

 

[Meng_Tze]

Hi all,

I will finish up Rescue Diver Father's Day weekend. I will have the opportunity to take DM or Deep tech shortly after.

I am having trouble deciding what I want to do. Any pros and cons out there? I would probably like to do both, to help teach tech courses in the future, but only want to do one now.

Thanks for any help/ advice.

P.S. Wife might freak about deco diving....:huh:

Go tech and don't mention deco.

 

[shurite7]

Ronbeau is correct about NAUI's DM program.

After I took my tech class I read an article regarding the best canidates for tech training. Divemasters (DM) and o/w instructor's (OWSI) were at the top of the list. The primary reason for this was experience and ability to cope with various situations. This doesn't mean others who are not DM's or OWSI's are not worthy.
canidates.

Going DM first does allow you to obtain a little more experience in the water, which tech instructor's like to see.

Salaam

Chris