How many DiveMasters?
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This thread has sparked some interesting (and not so interesting) discussion.
Why get DM certification? Is it worth it? Can you make any money at it?
Everybody's motivations are different, but there are some common theme's. Personally, I have only had my DM for about a year, and assist with classes about 1 - 2 weekends per month on average. My personal motivation in seeking DM certification was to become a better diver, to be better prepared to handle in-water emergencies, and to learn to deal with people and the problems that can arise in teaching new students to dive.
Is it worth it? Personally - yes. I get a great deal of satisfaction working with students, and seeing the tremendous growth in self-confidence that can happen in just a matter of days. I personally like Open Water training the best - where the student has a chance to demonstrate the skills and really enjoy this great sport of diving. The enthusiasm and excitement of newly certified divers completing their first real open water dives is truly contageous and rewarding.
Can you make money as a DM? Very simply, no. Many DM's get great discounts on gear, air, trips, and other perks, but you cannot make a living as a DM unless you are in a location where your pay (or lack thereof) is strongly supplemented by tips.
To the poster that has made the negative comments about DM training - I would ask what other opportunities does a diver have to increase their knowledge, skills, and ability other than the intensive training (CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Provider, Rescue, etc.) necessary to achieve the DM rating?
The final point I would offer is that the DM certification in itself is not a means to an end. It is only a formal recognition of a basic level of demonstrated performance for the diver, and a stepping-stone to contined education and experience. As the worn out cliché goes "A good diver is always leaning".
Dive Safe!
Why get DM certification? Is it worth it? Can you make any money at it?
Everybody's motivations are different, but there are some common theme's. Personally, I have only had my DM for about a year, and assist with classes about 1 - 2 weekends per month on average. My personal motivation in seeking DM certification was to become a better diver, to be better prepared to handle in-water emergencies, and to learn to deal with people and the problems that can arise in teaching new students to dive.
Is it worth it? Personally - yes. I get a great deal of satisfaction working with students, and seeing the tremendous growth in self-confidence that can happen in just a matter of days. I personally like Open Water training the best - where the student has a chance to demonstrate the skills and really enjoy this great sport of diving. The enthusiasm and excitement of newly certified divers completing their first real open water dives is truly contageous and rewarding.
Can you make money as a DM? Very simply, no. Many DM's get great discounts on gear, air, trips, and other perks, but you cannot make a living as a DM unless you are in a location where your pay (or lack thereof) is strongly supplemented by tips.
To the poster that has made the negative comments about DM training - I would ask what other opportunities does a diver have to increase their knowledge, skills, and ability other than the intensive training (CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Provider, Rescue, etc.) necessary to achieve the DM rating?
The final point I would offer is that the DM certification in itself is not a means to an end. It is only a formal recognition of a basic level of demonstrated performance for the diver, and a stepping-stone to contined education and experience. As the worn out cliché goes "A good diver is always leaning".
Dive Safe!
"A good diver is always leaning"
No, that's after the dive when we are trading stories at the bar
Good post. Where do you dive in Greenville?
No, that's after the dive when we are trading stories at the bar
Good post. Where do you dive in Greenville?
verybaddiver
Contributor
ok, i agree my first post can be considered trolling, i really should of wrote abit more.
"To the poster that has made the negative comments about DM training - I would ask what other opportunities does a diver have to increase their knowledge, skills, and ability other than the intensive training (CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Provider, Rescue, etc.) necessary to achieve the DM rating?"
You NEED to of done most of those classes before DM training anyways. But that is also the biggest problem with the likes of PADI, there simply isn't any training past rescue diver, other than DM, or above, making alot of divers striving for more training to do a course like DM, which they deem 'professional' a so charge you a yearly sum.
"To the poster that has made the negative comments about DM training - I would ask what other opportunities does a diver have to increase their knowledge, skills, and ability other than the intensive training (CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Provider, Rescue, etc.) necessary to achieve the DM rating?"
You NEED to of done most of those classes before DM training anyways. But that is also the biggest problem with the likes of PADI, there simply isn't any training past rescue diver, other than DM, or above, making alot of divers striving for more training to do a course like DM, which they deem 'professional' a so charge you a yearly sum.
To all of you who are Divemasters or working on it:
As a Divemaster, you are a member of an elite and important profession. Society holds you in high esteem, just like the learned men practicing Engineering, Law, or Medicine. Like the physician, you are responsible for saving lives and improving the quality of life for people.
When Cousteau invented diving, he was essentially the first Divemaster; directing the activities of other divers to ensure safety. You are following in his footsteps.
All of us “common” divers wish to thank you for making your career choice. You could have been an astronaut, a business executive, or a college professor. Instead you chose to serve us.
As a Divemaster, you are a member of an elite and important profession. Society holds you in high esteem, just like the learned men practicing Engineering, Law, or Medicine. Like the physician, you are responsible for saving lives and improving the quality of life for people.
When Cousteau invented diving, he was essentially the first Divemaster; directing the activities of other divers to ensure safety. You are following in his footsteps.
All of us “common” divers wish to thank you for making your career choice. You could have been an astronaut, a business executive, or a college professor. Instead you chose to serve us.
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You guys are aware that PADI's not the only agency that certifies divemasters ... right?
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
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Excellent post ... best of the thread, to my concern.
Different people do have different motives for pursuing divemaster. With some agencies, it is one channel to pursue better skills. However, no matter what agency you're going through, keep in mind that the absolutely best way to do that is to hook up with more experienced divers and go diving ... mentorship and bottom time remain the heart and soul of REAL diver education.
There are some practical concerns to take into consideration when deciding to become a divemaster. Not least of which is that, once you reach the level of dive professional, you assume a higher level of accountability for your decisions, and an increased potential of liability for the actions of those you dive with. That's why divemasters are required to carry liability insurance. If you work for a shop, they will generally include you on the shop policy, so it may be a moot point ... but if you have to pay for your own insurance, it's a few hundred dollars a year that you must factor into your diving budget.
My one and only complaint with DM programs is that they teach too little, expect too little, and allow you to get into the program far too soon. I have an acquaintance who's just signed up for his DM program at a local shop. In the past two months he's been through OW, AOW, Rescue, and Nitrox class ... and at the time his instructor convinced him he'd make a good DM he had just over 20 dives.
That's like convincing a 12-year old that he'd make a good Marine ...
... The instructor is simply playing on his enthusiasm to sell him an expensive program that may turn out to be not right for him. On the other hand, I've been told I expect too much from my DM's. Perhaps I do ... I expect them to be role models to students and new divers ... to have adequate knowledge to be able to explain things clearly (as if they actually understand what they're talking about) ... and to have diving skills that less trained and experienced divers can look up to and aspire to learn.
Very, VERY few divers can achieve that with only 60 dives ... no matter how good their instructors may be.
I also ... before they even start the program ... want them to understand, and be able to explain to me, WHY they want to become a DM. If it's simply to become a better diver, we'll discuss alternatives that do not involve becoming a dive professional before we start them down that path. Some of those alternatives will teach you things you will not learn in a DM class ... and most of them will be less expensive in the long run.
If you're going to choose to become a DM ... please consider exploring those alternatives ... as well as all the ramifications that come with choosing to become a dive professional. It's not all glamour, and DM's rarely make out financially.
Go into it with your eyes open ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
verybaddiver
Contributor
Another point i'll make, which i don't believe is trolling. Is there REALLY any need for a DM cert. Other agencies see no point for it, if you want to become a instructor, you shadow other instructors then do an instructor exam at the end of it, simple enough. Again, it just seems a way of making money off people who want to further their training. Very good points though Bob.
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