Do DM's have more fun? vs GUE-F

[skywalk]

I believe there was the thread sometime back about whether DM's have less fun when they dive, because they have to look after aka babysit the groups that they bring down.
I think the general consensus was somewhat ambiguus so I decided to ask a few more probing, specific questions to you more experienced folks in this board.

I know some people are gonna say DMs get laid more, they get to dive for free, etc. but my main concern is that the cons outweigh the pros. See, getting laid is not my main concern (ok ok let the flaming begin hahaha)

But jokes aside, I am a novice photographer and all I like to do is jump in and take pics. The only reason DM training appeals to me is that it totally makes sense to learn how to repair regs, learn how to do quick on-site last min general maintenence on faulty gear so the entire dive isn't ruined. Hopefully it will improve my God aweful sense of direction on land as well as underwater. Now, i'f i'm taking a bunch of silt-kicking fussy princesses, THAT'S what im afraid of.

It is a rather big time and money investment too. Right now DM training and the fundementals course cost about the same. I have the time and money to do one or the other, so i'd love your input.

Much appreciated,
Skywalk

 

[Vie]

Definitely go for the Fundies - you won't regret it. I've been a NAUI DM candidate for a while and it's been fun (diving "for free" often and meeting new friends) - one does need a lot of patience sometimes when leading a group of divers (especially the inexperienced or the "too experienced") but I have found it quite rewarding; I just can't envision myself doing it every day though...

If you just want to "learn how to repair regs, learn how to do quick on-site last min general maintenence on faulty gear so the entire dive isn't ruined," a DM course probably isn't for you - I did get to learn about regulator repair and maintenance but it definitely was/is NOT the emphasis of the DM course. And forget about photography (even if you are leading a group of photographers) - your job as a DM is to look after your group.

Edit: I've just noticed that you are located in Singapore - are you thinking of taking Fundies with Gideon?

 

[JessH]

Fundies will teach you what you need to learn to be a better diver. A DM class will teach how to deal with and help teach students and how to lead groups of divers. In the process of becoming a DM you will most likely do a lot of diving.

If you don't have any desire to be a DM then doing the fundies class, followd by a lot of diving will most likely be your best bet. The only real advantage to the DM class would be that it woudl force you to dive more, but if someone needs to force you to go diving then you are in the wrong place

~Jess

 

[TSandM]

Jess has it right. The two classes are ENTIRELY different in purpose. The DM course is designed to teach you now how to dive (you are expected to know that already) but how to guide and care for other divers. Fundies is designed to show you where your diving skills can be massively improved.

If what you enjoy is diving and taking pictures, take Fundies. The buoyancy skills and enhanced ability to position yourself precisely in the water are great benefits to photographers (not to mention the non-silting propulsion techniques).

If what you want to learn from the DM course is equipment care/repair, take an equipment specialty course, buy the Airspeed Press regulator book, and hang out where the repair techs are and ask questions. Much easier than going through the whole DM procedure, just to learn those things.

 

[herman]

DM has nothing to do with equipment repair, it's mostly about training other divers and/or acting as a dive guide. Having taken both DIR-F and a recent PADI DM, the DIR-F would much better suit your needs. Unless your DM classes are a lot less expensive (or GUE a lot more) you will spend a lot more on DM....it was around 3x more for me. After DM I found myself a better coach and mentor but not really a better diver. Those skills were from years of diving and DIR-F.

The best thing you can do is to find a mentor/dive buddy who has great dive skills and learn from them while diving. Dive and dive a lot while working on your skills, then pick up the camera.

 

[Hoyden]

The only reason DM training appeals to me is that it totally makes sense to learn how to repair regs, learn how to do quick on-site last min general maintenence on faulty gear so the entire dive isn't ruined. Hopefully it will improve my God aweful sense of direction on land as well as underwater. Now, i'f i'm taking a bunch of silt-kicking fussy princesses, THAT'S what im afraid of.

If your goal is to learn how to repair regs and make repairs on gear, neither DM training nor GUE Fundamentals will really meet that goal. Take a regulator repair class. DMing is more likely to lead to a regulator repair class, but if you don't want to work with beginning divers I would say that DM is not the way to go. If your goal is to learn to navigate underwater, neither DM class nor Fundies will cover this in any detail. Find a good instructor and take an underwater navigation class.
Either a good DM class or Fundamentals class will improve your skills underwater, but with different goals. It just comes down to what you want out of the class. If you goal is simply to improve your personal dive skills, take the Fundamentals class.

DMs do have a lot of fun, but it often involves new divers and occasionally involves silt kicking royalty of both genders.

JMO,

Jackie

 

[johnny_bravo]

Of course DMs have more fun...but you have to take an equipment specialist course or some regulator repair courses unless you have some very good on the job training at a shop.

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[verybaddiver]

"Fundies will teach you what you need to learn to be a better diver."

This is a very arrogant view point, and i don't see much merit in its view.

 

[TSandM]

I think what the person who posted that meant was that Fundies would teach things that would improve the OPs DIVING, the DM course would teach things that would apply to guiding and teaching OTHER divers. It might have been better worded, but I don't think the arrogance was intended. You're kicking before you're spurred, really.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

"Fundies will teach you what you need to learn to be a better diver."

This is a very arrogant view point, and i don't see much merit in its view.

How so?

DIR-F helps you learn more about dive planning, gas management, buoyancy control, buddy skills, overall underwater awareness, managing task loading ...

... do those things not help you learn to be a better diver?

No one suggested that it was the only way to learn those skills ... but it is one very good way to learn them, because that's what the class specifically focuses on.

On the other hand, a DM course does not really focus on diving skills ... it assumes you have already acquired those, and will test your proficiency in them. But the course focuses more on leadership skills. If improving your diving skills is your goal, the DM course is not the best way to go.

Also keep in mind that becoming an active DM means increased costs in terms of agency membership dues, liability insurance, and additional gear and training requirements. Depending on where you're at and what you plan to do with your DM certification, those additional costs can be considerable.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)