Questions for female DMs or instructors

[CUunderH2O]

thanks divebunnie,

I picked up some of the books yesterday and started reading the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving. I'm doing the Rescue course over the winter and simultaneously starting on the DM course readings. I have several more books to buy, but the encyclopedia and the rest of the books will keep me busy reading for quite a while!

I know a couple of the DM/IDC candidates who went through it all this year, so I'm already somewhat familiar with how things are run at this centre. As far as not getting to dive as much, it will still be rewarding to be able to help new divers get acquainted with their new environment, and possibly become as enthusiastic about diving as I have become. Of course, that's not going to stop me from diving as much as I can between now and then!

 

[sharkdiver00]

Hi there,
As usual I'm late joining the discussion. For what is worth.... don't let any of this stunt your enthusiasm to become ad DM and an Instructor. Yes, your outlook on diving will change after the DM course... but it will be for the better. It will be very hard for you to dive without paying attention to other divers, just in case...

As far as work is concerned, I agree with Alcina that the industry is very competitive no matter where you are. But if you have a different full time job and you just want to become a DM and/or instructor for the satisfaction and pleasure it brings, then I am sure that your LDS will be happy to keep you busy.

Personally and having been a DM for many years before deciding to become an Instructor, I can only tell you that there are never enough DM's to conduct as many classes as there are, especially during the spring and summer months.

As CancunMark puts it, just consider it a way to support a great habit with the added bonus of seeing all the big grins on the face of the students the first time they breath from the reg...

Feel free to PM me if I can ever be of help.

cheers,
Maria

 

[nuts4diving]

I did not have any trouble finding work, as the dive shop I work through is one of the bigger ones around here, and the instructors are always needing assistants. A couple of the instructors actually prefer having a female assistant, particularly when there is a timid female in the class. The instructors I work with recognize that sometimes students prefer female DMs/AIs. As for whether I dive as much for fun since becoming a DM--having a baby (now 2) has really cut down on my diving, but before she was born, I actually dove much more after becoming a DM. I'd end up diving in conditions I often wouldn't bother with (mostly low vis) if it were not for the class, but it forced me to see new aspects of familiar dive sites. I am sometimes amazed at the variety of critters I find in 5 ft vis when I am motivated to find something interesting for the students to look at. As for it being a job--ha, ha! I have yet to make a profit, but I also only assist, and not that frequently. I look at it as a way to offset some of the expense of my hobby.

Mary Helen

 

[Hoya97]

Hi,
Agree with most of the stuff already posted. Speaking as an instructor, I LOVE working with a female assistant (either DM or Asst Instructor). They bring a vastly different perspective. Female students tend to gravitate towards them and they tend to be more concerned than their male counterparts.

That being said, yes, I've encountered some discrimination - when a woman DM is knowledgable, authoritative and in a position of responsibility, some men take offense. However, like you, being ex-military as well, I'm used to answering to someone in authority - regardless of gender. But the discrimination among other instructors/leaders is still present.

I would quickly tell you to go ahead and become an instructor. The pay sucks (not my primary job) but the rewards more than make up for it. Also, like someone else said, don't think of it as a job, but more along the lines of supporting a habit!

Take care, best of luck and continue the press!

Lee

 

[Scuba Diva]

As a female instructor, I've found being a woman to be a plus. We're the minorities in the business and dive shops generally like having a woman on staff because sometimes the students are less intimidated by a woman instructor as opposed to a man instructor.
However, you have to have a certain amount of "tough hide" in order to not let the students try to run over you because you are a woman.
If you can balance the two, you're in and a valued comodity at a good dive store.
If someone won't hire you because you don't have the proper "equipment", then do you really want to work for them???? I think not.