Rec Divemaster: any point?

[gills4brains]

Ever since I began diving, I immediately wanted to get involved in technical diving, for a variety of reasons. First, I appreciate how serious tec divers approach their craft, and I can only assume that tec training would develop me into a safer and more competent diver (in both tec and rec). Second, I am allured by the idea of diving in cave systems and deep wrecks.

Unfortunately, in order for me to take any tec training courses, I would have to travel quite a bit, so those plans are likely reserved for the next time I am able to take some time off for a trip.

Recently, my LDS has been suggesting I become a divemaster (recreational). I understand that a rec dm certification does not have any real relation to tec diving; however, would the skills developed in the course ultimately benefit me down the road as an eventual technical diver? I don't necessarily want be ever be a fulltime dive instructor, but I frequently accompany the shop when they take OW students to the quarry and I often find myself wanting to help struggling students. Any information you can give to help me make a cost/benefit analysis would be extremely helpful.

Thanks, all!

 

[Marie13]

You can mentor divers informally without having to pay/take the DM course and the liability it brings.

I had some people at my shop pushing me to do DM. I laughed at them and told them not just no, but hell, no! I got into diving to dive Great Lakes shipwrecks, not cat herd students in the local quarry.

The skills you will learn in the DM course polish your skills to “presentation” level to teach others.

I don’t know where you are in PA, but there is at least one tech instructor on the west side of the state, not far from Pittsburgh. James Lapenta. Hear good things about him.

I’d suggest some sort of Intro to Tech/GUE Fundies class (whichever flavor floats your boat), get experience in whatever tech configuration you want to do, and go from there.

ETA: doing my tech stuff next year.

 

[Marie13]

Also, would your shop make you pay for the DM class? Probably. They probably want the revenue from you doing the class.

When you start the DM stuff, it seems doing the fun diving goes out the window, from observing the local DMs I know (typical Midwest US shop, with quarry weekends).

 

[gills4brains]

You can mentor divers informally without having to pay/take the DM course and the liability it brings.

I had some people at my shop pushing me to do DM. I laughed at them and told them not just no, but hell, no! I got into diving to dive Great Lakes shipwrecks, not cat herd students in the local quarry.

The skills you will learn in the DM course polish your skills to “presentation” level to teach others.

I don’t know where you are in PA, but there is at least one tech instructor on the west side of the state, not far from Pittsburgh. James Lapenta. Hear good things about him.

I’d suggest some sort of Intro to Tech/GUE Fundies class (whichever flavor floats your boat), get experience in whatever tech configuration you want to do, and go from there.

ETA: doing my tech stuff next year.

I'm actually in Pittsburgh, so I am definitely going to check James out. Thanks!!!!

And yes, I would be paying for DM

 

[Marie13]

I'm actually in Pittsburgh, so I am definitely going to check James out. Thanks!!!!

And yes, I would be paying for DM

They want the $$. Go tech. Tell them no for DM.

Jim Lapenta

Welcome to UDM Aquatic Services

 

[Joebar]

If you want to do tec, go for tec
If you want to teach, go for DM
If you want to do both, go for both

As @Marie13 said as DM you polish your skills. For me it was good fo buddy awareness too, organizing dives and so on.
Tec is a completely new thing. You will learn new skills and presentation quality is a by product

 

[Bob DBF]

Recently, my LDS has been suggesting I become a divemaster (recreational).

Don't feel too flattered, it's a way to increase revenue for the instructor and shop. Use the time and money to get the tech training you want. When you find an instructor, have him give you a reading list to start on while scheduling and waiting a class that fits your needs.



Bob

 

[Lorenzoid]

. . . however, would the skills developed in the course ultimately benefit me down the road as an eventual technical diver?

I see this question pop up now and then. I have no firsthand experience, but the replies I have seen to this question are almost always negative. It seems pretty clear that the DM course doesn't help you get comfortable diving in a tech gear configuration, which is the biggie. The DM course doesn't inherently teach diving in flat trim, using the proper propulsion technique for the situation, precision control, etc.--things taught in intro-to-tech-like courses such as GUE Fundamentals. I'm even dubious that the DM course would help a diver develop what some refer to as a tech mindset--just a way of thinking about all aspects of diving in terms of risk tradeoffs. That said, actually WORKING as a DM might help with skills useful in the tech realm such as being comfortable solving problems underwater. But working as a DM is not what you're asking about.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I'll second what @Marie13 said. Talk to @Jim Lapenta.

The DM program will do absolutely nothing to help you prepare for technical diving. Courses/workshops with Jim definitely will. He's got years of experience at teaching at a high level.

Good luck!

 

[Addicted2H2O]

To echo most of what everyone has said, going through a DM course won't really teach you much about diving at all. You'll polish your basic skills to demonstration quality but aside from that the DM course won't necessarily make you more or less ready for tech. I'm a working DM (SDI) myself and help with OW classes usually about every 6 weeks or so. Not certain about your LDS but I know mine wants us diving in similar gear to our students and of course what the shop actually sells because as a DM you are in fact a shop representative. An employee of sorts more or less. You will learn how to handle issues underwater and of course how to help students, which you said is something you're interested in. So if that's something you think you'd like then absolutely consider becoming a DM. It's kind of a cool feeling that OW students will come to you before they will the instructor because well...you're not the big bad instructor. But you will also be doing lots of grunt work for lack of a better way to put it. Fitting and distributing gear, rinsing and putting away gear, making sure your training site is kept clean, being the first diver in the water and last one out (regardless of temp)....it's not all fun and games. There is somewhat of a rewarding feeling at the end of an OW class and it's kind of nice to be on a different level with instructors, but again, it won't really help you either way in the tech world. I'll go out on a limb and even say you'll usually be "encouraged" to use a flutter kick above any other because you're always demonstrating (formally and informally) to students and that's what they're going to be learning initially. In essence....the description of "herding cats" that was given is pretty spot on. Most times I enjoy assisting with classes and being a DM. But when your LDS teaches classes year round and you're diving wet in 30F weather with 50F water temps......not so much fun. YMMV.