If you were going to start over what would you do differnt?

[DownbelowDiver]

Remember back in the days where you were just an AOW diver and thought to yourself..."wouldn't it be nice to make a little diving instead of it just costing you money..." Is there anything you would do different, is there a common pitfall new DM or instructors make along the way?

I am starting my DM and would like to become an instructor. While trying to keep the cost down and do it efficiently to best use my time because we all know sometimes it is hard to get time away in the water.

Hi Octopusprime

I suppose if there was anything I would have done different would be that, I could have been a professional diver sooner than when I did, but who’s to say if I would have preferred that! :/

A few comments I’ve read of others’ reply to you, is about how a different (more qualified?) dive instructor for their professional dive education would have made a difference, which to be honest with you isn’t fair for them to say so.
I believe confidence in oneself is truly acquired once you start teaching in the dive industry. The DM and IDC give you the dive training that are needed to complete the performance requirements to qualify, but experience with real dive situations and real divers is the best learning method.

Think about an internship program combined with your professional dive training. Especially when you’re a newly certified Instructor, experience on real diving scenarios offers you a perspective into the real dive lifestyle.

PADI IDC Go Pro Internships | Instructor Development Course IDC Malaysia, Asia

At Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures, resident Platinum PADI Course Director Richard Swann conducts the IDC with the Go PRO team at our premier PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Centre on Gaya Island in Sabah, Borneo.

Get To Know Our GoPro Staff Team | IDC Asia

It’s the responsibility of this group to counsel you to understand the standards of the PADI system of dive education, although improving your own instructional abilities will occur when you begin teaching.
Because of this, one of our most popular Go PRO internship programs is one combined with the PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating. Once qualified, professionals increase their employability, as they are certified to teach 5 more Specialties in addition to the Specialties: Project AWARE, Coral Reef Conservation and Peak Performance Buoyancy. As well as that, the internship candidate is given the opportunity within the duration of their internship program to certify 25 student divers, which will be a mix of PADI courses and programs from Discover Scuba Diving to Rescue Diver and the various Specialties they are qualified to conduct.

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer | IDC Asia

It’s up to you to use your skills to the best of your abilities, and as long as you can say that, there’s no difference you could change.
Good luck with your Divemaster course, and learn, learn, learn, and KEEP learning!

 

[Octopusprime]

Not sure why but there seems to be a school of thought that says you must go through a DM internship to "really" be a DiveMaster.

Hummm, not so positive I totally agree with that. Read to the end please.

The short DM courses are what they are. "Here's what being a DM is about, here's the book stuff and let's work skills plus role play a bit". Now go out and find an Instructor who you can work with and appreciate your efforts.

Just don't leave a short course and think you're "Da Man"........ because most likely you're not.

Many shops and Instructors treat their DMs as I said above.

For me a card carrying DM that comes to me and says, "I know the basics, please help me really apply what I know", is not a bad situation. Happens all the time here.

If a Doctor needs Medical School BEFORE becoming an Intern at a hospital, why would diving be any different >>>

Bob on thanks for the comment this was my thought. I am working hard to get my DM and then instructor certifications. Once I have my DM I want to work with as many students as possible WITH my instructor not just to teach but to get advice and constructive criticism on teaching techniques and how to deal with new situations as they arrive. I am a learn by doing person always have been. Observe, Review, Do and you will never forget.

 

[emoreira]

Definetly I would start earlier in my life.

 

[Octopusprime]

part of my thought is I am in my 30's now. Get to be DM then instructor.... Then by the time I am ready to retire to Florida I can work for a dive shop and get some fun money for retirement.