CAPTAIN SINBAD
Contributor
Hello folks:
I have to make a decision.
I am from a land-locked area (near DC) and most of the dive shops here do not have local diving except for Quarries that are mostly for certification purposes. I have the option of doing my Dive Master training locally where I will have the chance to work with student groups in pools and quarries, or going somewhere else where there is real open ocean diving. Normally it is suggested that divemaster program should be done locally because shops prefer to give work to people they have certified themselves. I am afraid that given my geographical location, this would restrict me severely because in all honesty, I can not convince myself that there is any such thing as a "Quarry Dive-Master." Part of me says I should get certified through my LDS as a "Quarry Dive Master" since this would result in developing good contacts with local dive community and dive shops etc. After becoming a DM I can then look for DM openings in dive-locations around the world that would give me experience on boats, in different diving conditions such as cold water environments, live-aboards etc. How eager would these places be to give work to someone who has only done DM work in a Quarry? I don't know. Thus, the other part of me says I should get certified in the most difficult locations to begin with. After completing my divemaster course and internship there I will always be able to find stuff to do locally.
Id love to hear peoples thoughts on this. Thanks in advance for your help.
Cheers -
Sinbad.
I have to make a decision.
I am from a land-locked area (near DC) and most of the dive shops here do not have local diving except for Quarries that are mostly for certification purposes. I have the option of doing my Dive Master training locally where I will have the chance to work with student groups in pools and quarries, or going somewhere else where there is real open ocean diving. Normally it is suggested that divemaster program should be done locally because shops prefer to give work to people they have certified themselves. I am afraid that given my geographical location, this would restrict me severely because in all honesty, I can not convince myself that there is any such thing as a "Quarry Dive-Master." Part of me says I should get certified through my LDS as a "Quarry Dive Master" since this would result in developing good contacts with local dive community and dive shops etc. After becoming a DM I can then look for DM openings in dive-locations around the world that would give me experience on boats, in different diving conditions such as cold water environments, live-aboards etc. How eager would these places be to give work to someone who has only done DM work in a Quarry? I don't know. Thus, the other part of me says I should get certified in the most difficult locations to begin with. After completing my divemaster course and internship there I will always be able to find stuff to do locally.
Id love to hear peoples thoughts on this. Thanks in advance for your help.
Cheers -
Sinbad.