Interested in becoming a DM

[Scotttyd]

I was wondering how exactly one becomes a DM and what type of arrangments one has with a shop (ie. financial, air fills, charter fees, etc.) I am not looking to make a career out of this, or even really have it be an income source. More just an excuse to get in the water and share my enthusiam for the sport and maybe even catch a ride on a charter every once in a while if I am lucky. I am PADI AO and AOW certified, although the shop I do much of my business with is a NAUI shop. In order to be a DM with a class, what type of certification is often required? Do you have to have a PADI DM cert to help with a PADI class, and vice versa with NAUI? If I wanted to work with the NAUI shop, do they require you to do all of your classes with them, or would my PADI certs meet some of the reqs?

 

[Don Wray]

I can only answer in regard to PADI. In order to assist with PADI classes, you must be a PADI DM or Assistant Instructor or Instructor. The requirements for PADI DM can be found at PADI. The Way The World Learns to Dive Have fun with which ever agency you decide on.

 

[ScubaJorgen]

I know that a local shop here has DMs on voluntary, non-paid basis. I guess there is some payment 'in natura' (equipment).

A note on motivation:
I did not become DM. I regard DM as the 1st step to become professionally involved. And that is not what I wanted. Diving is my hobby and I want to keep it that way.
Of course you can become DM just for fun (or what other reason). I found that insuffient reason to spend the money.
I can recommend the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving that is used for becomming a DM. Gives lots of in depth information about diving. The information that you would get by following the DM course...
I can recommend the Rescue Diving. It is great fun and it is good to know what to do when you or your mates run into trouble

 

[Dtaine]

I was wondering how exactly one becomes a DM and what type of arrangments one has with a shop (ie. financial, air fills, charter fees, etc.) I am not looking to make a career out of this, or even really have it be an income source. More just an excuse to get in the water and share my enthusiam for the sport and maybe even catch a ride on a charter every once in a while if I am lucky. I am PADI AO and AOW certified, although the shop I do much of my business with is a NAUI shop. In order to be a DM with a class, what type of certification is often required? Do you have to have a PADI DM cert to help with a PADI class, and vice versa with NAUI? If I wanted to work with the NAUI shop, do they require you to do all of your classes with them, or would my PADI certs meet some of the reqs?

I have arrangements to do my PADI Divemaster training over the summer with a shop in Roatan. I was fortunate enough that they approached me with the option and I didn't have to inquire numerous places. However, I'd recommend finding a shop that offers a DM course, and first doing a couple dives with the divemaster instructor, so you can get to know the people you'll potentially be getting certified by. Do this with a couple of places, inquire about what they expect from divemasters both during training and from those they've employed and find a place that you'll enjoy taking the course through. Keep us here at Scubaboard updated on how it goes.

As for working as a DM, each shop will be different, so the fees they cover and how they pay will vary. I've talked with DM's who've done part time work with multiple shops, and moved around quite a bit. So long as you and the shop are on the same page with regards to how often you'll work and how you get paid (IN WRITING) then arrangements should be straightforward. Hopefully some more people with DM experience will make their voices heard here.

 

[leapfrog]

Scott, in principle if you become a PADI DM you can help out on PADI courses and you would have to be a NAUI DM to assist with NAUI classes. As a dive guide, dive leader for cerified divers it makes no difference at all.

Can I ask you WHY you are considering becoming a DM?

Multiagency crossover is usually done at the Instructor level. That doesn't mean that as a recreational diver you can't take say OW with NAUI, AOW with PADI and Rescue with SSI if you want to.

 

[J.R.]

I know that a local shop here has DMs on voluntary, non-paid basis. I guess there is some payment 'in natura' (equipment).

A note on motivation:
I did not become DM. I regard DM as the 1st step to become professionally involved. And that is not what I wanted. Diving is my hobby and I want to keep it that way.
Of course you can become DM just for fun (or what other reason). I found that insuffient reason to spend the money.
I can recommend the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving that is used for becomming a DM. Gives lots of in depth information about diving. The information that you would get by following the DM course...
I can recommend the Rescue Diving. It is great fun and it is good to know what to do when you or your mates run into trouble

Well put...

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I'd also recommend the NOAA manual and the US Navy dive manual(this you can download for free). DM is about helping others enjoy diving. Whatever agency you choose will have different requirements and skill sets. There are also different requirements during the class. PADI will allow you to assist and sit in on classes and help in pool sessions. NAUI or YMCA( now YDI) will also require you to actually teach classes as part of your training. After preparing a lesson and delivering it to your instructor and getting it critiqued you'll give it to a group of students. And after verifying your skills are of demo quality or better you will conduct pool sessions under the direct supervision of your instructor. THose are some of the differences I can think of now. If you were to do Dm with our shop you'd be looking at about 4-6 months to complete. And most likely have done two complete OW classes (pool and academic) on your own under supervision of course. Along with all the DM knowledge and tests, lectures, etc. And schlepping tanks, rinsing gear, etc.

 

[mkutyna]

Becoming a DM is a big step. It takes quite a bit of time and commitment if you want to do it right. If you're motivated, it is well worth it though.

However, NAUI has a "training assistant" certification that you may be interested in. Basically, as a training assistant, you're able to help out with classes. You do not count towards ratios, students are never left soley in your care and you have no professional liability. However, you do get to work with students a little and help out with classes. It may be a small step that you can take to see if you want to go whole hog and take a DM class. Ask your LDS about it. If they say they've never heard of it, tell them to check their S&P manual.

In regards to PADI DMs helping out with a NAUI class, I'm pretty sure that it is allowed per NAUI S&Ps. I may be getting it confused with ratios though and I don't have my S&P in front of me at the moment. If your LDS is NAUI and you want to help out with their classes, just get the NAUI cert.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Forgot about the training assistant. It's very good experience and a great way to tell if DM is for you.

 

[Peter Guy]

I don't know if a PADI DM may work in a NAUI class BUT I'm a PADI DM and my local NAUI instructor has told me he'd like me to work with him with his NAUI OW classes. This gives me the strong belief that it is OK!

As I understand it, the PADI DM is a "lower" rating than the NAUI DM which is the equivalent of a PADI AI. I guess the biggest difference is that the PADI DM doesn't "teach" the students but instead "models" for the students.

I have enjoyed (for the most part) my short time as a PADI DM. I'll add that at my shop, DM's don't haul gear (including tanks) for the students -- that is part of the learning curve for an OW student. We supervise setting up gear, demonstrate skills and assist with supervision and are, by and large, treated as equals by the instructors. Perhaps because in our shop we are all volunteers, we are NOT gofers -- and come to think of it, IF an instructor treated me as a gofer, I'd stop working with him in a NY minute!