DM or Master Diver????

[Trixxie]

If something happens on a dive you are on the lawers will find out your highest cert level. So it doesn't matter if you only said you were open water. Of course they still have to prove you did something negligent to get anything out of ya.

Maybe, maybe not - but that is why there is Insurance just the same.

Just because something happens on a dive that you are participating in, doesn't make you liable unless you are conducting that dive and AOW divers don't conduct dives.

Now if you take the regulator hose and strangle someone while on the dive, that may make you liable :11:

 

[DivingCRNA]

Almost everyone I dive with at home has an advanced cert of some sort. We only use our OW cards on trips, unless we need to get out the AOW for a specific dive.

If you whip out a deck of cards for your cattle boat DM, he will prolly just roll his eyes....

LOL....I just laughed at myself. I wonder what would be the response, if any, if I start using my "Master SCUBA Diver" card after I do the Rescue Diver dives....??

Do the DMs even care?

 

[TheRedHead]

I think DMs are less likely to treat you like an idiot if you have a Rescue card. AOW doesn't impress.

 

[Trixxie]

I think DMs are less likely to treat you like an idiot if you have a Rescue card. AOW doesn't impress.

I would not think they would treat anyone like an idiot either way, unless they are acting like one, no?

 

[ScubaCatgirl]

I had a lawyer diver say becoming a DM with a moderate or greater net worth was an invitation to a lawsuit if an accident happened on your dive. He said if you were in the group and you were not even acting as a DM and something happens you will likely be sued if it appears you have some $$$.

I was told this about 10 years ago so things may have changed since then. Any lawyers want to chime in ?

Yes, things have changed quite a bit. You will not be held personally responsible if you are just acting as a recreational diver & are not part of the organization that is leading the dive. In International waters, the laws are even more liberal.

 

[HowardE]

I only have AOW as my highest level of certification.

I don't see the point of MSD - it's just a card.

DM is cool, if you're gonna work. If you don't want to work... I don't see the point.

 

[TheRedHead]

I would not think they would treat anyone like an idiot either way, unless they are acting like one, no?

I think most Caribbean DMs will assume you cannot dive and at best you are a bubble blowing rototiller until you prove otherwise. That doesn't mean you are of course.

 

[HammerNoMore]

I had a lawyer diver say becoming a DM with a moderate or greater net worth was an invitation to a lawsuit if an accident happened on your dive. He said if you were in the group and you were not even acting as a DM and something happens you will likely be sued if it appears you have some $$$.

I was told this about 10 years ago so things may have changed since then. Any lawyers want to chime in ?

From a law suit happy US stand point. If you are on a boat with a victim, you are likely to get brought to court. DM or not.

If you are a DM, the lawyer will likely take the attack everyone standpoint and add you to the suit. Basicly, unless you are working, it will almost certainly be thrown out.

If you are active...cary insurance. I do, and yea my shop has an umbrella policy, and yea I cary my own. If you are not active, you are running about as much responsibility as someone who is CPR trained.

James

 

[HammerNoMore]

You are defenately right

In what world? The OP is clearly not NAUI as he is trying to decide between the two? Or is this a personal attack?

 

[HammerNoMore]

I think DMs are less likely to treat you like an idiot if you have a Rescue card. AOW doesn't impress.

I know people with OW certs who can dive circles around the best chest thumpers on this board. I know rescue divers who I wouldn't dive in the same state with.

Certs mean nothing... Experience means everything.

My favorite was the guy I saw last year in Akumal. I was waiting for the boat and overheard him bragging:

"I've been diving for 30 years" (this was obvious by his gear).

"My wife doesn't dive so I only dive one trip on vacation about every 2 years or so"

30 year diver with an average of 1 dive a year? I'll take the OW diver who does 80+ a year any day.