Gonna Go Pro

[Drummond86]

Hello all,
I’m new to the board and had a few questions that I was hoping someone could Help Me with. I am planning on quitting my job and traveling the globe for an undetermined amount of time, and I was hoping diving could be my new job. I have been Diving since I was 13 and have decided to take it to the next level. My first stop is going to be at a diving school to do a dive master internship. Some places I am looking at right now are utila, Roatan, Florida or somewhere in Thailand, but I am open for suggestions. After finishing a dive internship I will be eventually going to Aisa, Australia, New Zealand, Then to South America.

Here are a few of my questions.
- What are some good places to learn to dive? (From open water to Dive master)
- Are dive master able to find work in all parts of the world?
- Is it hard to find work in the Diving industry with lots of tattoo's? (As I am Quite Heavily Tattooed)
- What would be better, to become a Dive master or just to go all the way to dive instructor? (Which is easier to find work?)

Appreciate all the help I can get.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Dive masters are pretty much worthless to resorts as they cannot teach and bring in cash. Unless you are a DM with a 100ton Masters License, compressor tech, diesel mechanic, or regulator tech. DM's are by definition there to assist instructors with classes. Most resort DM's or now Guides are full instructors. Again because they can generate additional income from teaching. DM internships that you have to pay for is nothing but indentured servitude. Better to learn at home and then travel.

 

[Bubble Junky]

DM internships that you have to pay for is nothing but indentured servitude. Better to learn at home and then travel.

I'd have to disagree there. You still meet the same performance rquirements no matter where you do the course. I did my DMT over a four month period, diving as much as I wanted too, assisting as many instructors as I wanted too. Not once did I feel like a slave. It'll cost you a lot more money to do it at home too - not just the course cost, but also the cost of living while you're still there. Plus Asia's got great biodiversity......

There are plenty of excellent dive shops in Asia, with very experienced instructors and who run well structured, non-slavery DM courses !!! Check these ones out: Lumba Lumba, Thresher Shark Divers, Blue Planet Divers.

As far as getting work, it is much easier as an instructor, but I know plenty of people working throughout Asia as DMs. Most supplement their income as photographers/vdeographers tho'. I'd recommend going for instructor - check these websites for IDCs in the Philippines or Thailand.

 

[Louie]

Hi Drummond86,

My best attempt to give helpful suggestions:

1) Good places to learn to dive - If it's economical options you're after, then Southeast Asia is one. I did my professional training in Australia and Thailand and while I'd had more interesting diving, there were plenty of opportunities and competent instructors and courses. Also on the tourist trails, there will be a plentiful stream of students to ensure DM/Instructor trainees opportunities to get involved.

2) DMs finding work - depends on where you go and on the skills and attributes you possess. I know plenty of people who did DM work because they had the abilities in demand (languages spoken, people skills, experience in management etc).

3) Tattoos - At one place I worked at in Thailand, we had a joke about tattoos and smoking being pre-requisites for hiring staff (no tattoos no job). Seriously though, while tattoos may be a problem at really posh or snooty resorts, I can't imagine it being a deterrent to employment at most places (it's more unusual to see someone without tattoos these days).

4) DM or instructor? That goes back to the points discussed in 2). If you can find stable work that you enjoy as a DM, there's no rush to become an instructor.

All the best!

 

[tkdgodess]

If you are interested in teaching people how to dive and the responsibility that come with it, then be an instructor. If you are interested in guiding certified divers and assisting instructors in ow then be a DM.

At my shop we have paid DM's. Quite often it's me and a paid DM with 5 students. The DM is not a slave but a valuable part of my success and my student's success. We have several certified DM's who do not want to teach, but to assist, do scuba reviews, do guided dives & discover scuba's. They have other jobs, and DM is a personal satisfaction thing. I teach for parttime income and for pleasure.

If I were to travel I would go to south east asia too.

 

[James Bond boat entry]

Speaking a second language will be a significant advantage, more so, than the number of specialties you can teach.

Go for Asia, where to cost of living is minimal and the possibilities are endless.

Unless you are under 30 years of age, you can forget about working in New Zealand and/or Aussie as you are too old to qualify for a working vacation visa.