Is getting DSD-qualified worth it?

[emttim]

So I'm planning to go the instructor route after I graduate from Davis in a couple years, and I know at least one friend who would want to do the Discover Scuba Diving thing, so I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth it to bother getting DSD-qualified when I plan to get my OWSI in a couple years anyway or not. What do you guys think?

 

[mselenaous]

IMHO, unless you are working in a resort environment, you will probably get very few DSDs. The only way to get plenty of DSDs in a metro area is when an LDS does a big DSD's cheap promo with local clubs/healthclub/schools/businesses in order to recruit more OW students.

When I worked in Key Largo & in Mexico, I had alot of DSDs, but now in greater LA area, I've had one all year.

So why postpone your IDC? Go ahead, do it now during one of your school breaks and start teaching.

Good luck with your career choices.

 

[knotical]

The more experience you get as a divemaster, the better. Even doing the internships to qualify for conducting DSDs as a DM is good experience. But unless you are associated with a shop, such as ours, that runs frequent DSDs, you won’t get to use it much. You’d find that out while trying to set up your internship.

In some areas such as ours, shops run year-round free DSDs; so our DMs who are DSD qualified get to work.

 

[LowVizWiz]

It doesn't cost you anything to get DSD so why not do it now? I rather have it and not use it than the alternative... I promote DSD to all the people who find out I'm a DM and seem interested in diving. I get to do their pool sessions and it makes them less apprehensive to have someone they "know" diving with them the first time.

Wiz