In your Opinion, what are the responsibilities of a DM?

[uncfnp]

Not a DM or a professional diver in any way but on the dive boat I would think the DM's responsibilities are whatever the Captain says they are.

 

[Qnape]

Thanks! Very interesting how standards vary so greatly depending on what part of the world you are in and what kind of diving you are doing. One day, yall, I'll be an experienced diver and won't have to ask these questions anymore

The more experienced you become, the more questions you will likely think to ask! It's also been said there are no bad questions, except the one you forget to ask.

 

[Storker]

Frankly, I don't care what any DM's "responsibilities" are. When I go underwater, the only person I trust is me. A DM, or a guide, or a skipper can be very useful on a site unknown to me. But anyway, the buck stops with me. If I'm on a club outing or an independent dive, it's up to me to evaluate the site and the conditions and make a plan. If I'm going out with a commercial op I want a decent briefing before I splash, and after the briefing I and I alone decide whether or not I'm going to follow the plan and jump into the water, or if I'll just call the dive. If I get lost or die, I sincerely hope (and believe) that my wife won't sue anyone unless someone lied to me during the briefing.


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[Soggy_Diver]

Hi,

This is not a comprehensive answer, but here is a thought:

If the DM and you both take responsibility for executing a dive safely, then there are two of you contributing to the safety of your dive; three if you also have a buddy. If the DM and you each think that the other is responsible for the safety of your dive, then no one is responsible.

I know that sounds platitudinous, but I think that it works. I just did a dive trip in Cozumel in May with my teen, who is a relatively new diver. Our DM was top notch. He planned the dives in consultation with the group of divers, to ensure everyone was comfortable with the depth, current, and (very easy) swim-throughs. During the dive, we as divers did the whole safe diving routine (checking our air, checking our NDL, checking our depth and ascent rate, communicating with our buddies, etc.). And at the same time, the DM was keeping an eye on whether we were doing all of this, which added an extra layer of safety. Pleasant, stress-free dives for us and for the DM too. I think that this requires a DM and a bunch of divers who want to work together.

Applying this to just one moment from the Devil's Throat episode that the OP described in the recent post in Incidents and Near Misses: If the DM had taken responsibility for keeping an eye on the OP as his buddy in the Devil's Throat, this could have prevented a lost (separated) diver. Not a criticism, but if the OP as diver had taken responsibility to signal her DM/buddy she needed to turn back--and if it were possible to get the DM's attention--this could have prevented a group separation as well.

Safe diving!

 

[scoobajay]

Don't expect anything. Note, I'm not saying "expect nothing" here.

Well said RJP, and thank you for the clarification. When I've raised this question in the past I often get the response "expect nothing". I always found that very hard to accept - you put it in a way I understand completely.

Perhaps the question might be better phrased, "what's the least I should expect from a DM/dive guide?"

I remember once doing a bull shark dive with a large group and expressed privately to the DM that it had been a while since I last dove and was about to ask if he could give me an extra once over before we back rolled and he nearly rolled his eyes out of his head. He didn't give me the help I asked for and acted completely annoyed at me for the rest of the day! I remember sort of equating his actions with a time I had to do CPR on someone as a heart surgeon stood by scoffing at my technique while refusing to touch the dying man.

All to say, I should inquire with the op ahead of time to determine what the DM will offer.



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[redacted]

All to say, I should inquire with the op ahead of time to determine what the DM will offer.



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That will work, up to the point where you develop expectations. Instead, be prepared to do your dive without the DM/guide.

 

[Scubagolf]

Deleted.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

For most local diving if they want to hand my camera down form the deck and move fins from the swim step to the boat they have done what is expected. Why a course and insurance is needed to do that is beyond me. Dive master seems to have different meanings and responsibilities depending on the location.

 

[JarrodS]

My bar is pretty low. Basically the DM should be helpful and friendly, doing what they can to make sure you have a fun and safe dive. That's all I expect.

The last boat I was on, one of my two tanks was leaking pretty badly, even after replacing the o-ring. You could not only hear the leak but also feel it on your face. We hadn't left the dock yet so I politely explained to the DM that there was a problem with the valve and asked if he could please bring me a different tank. He came over, listened to the leak, and said in a loud, annoyed voice: "You can't dive that tank? I could dive that tank." I said nothing and just stared him in the eye to quietly let him know that wasn't good enough. He got me the tank. We said nothing to each other for the rest of the day, and I will never use that shop again.

 

[Storker]

He came over, listened to the leak, and said in a loud, annoyed voice: "You can't dive that tank? I could dive that tank." I said nothing and just stared him in the eye to quietly let him know that wasn't good enough.

You chould have just switched his tank with yours.


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