Should I become a DM

[cowboyneal]

2 years is a long time. I would make sure I got it completely straight with them the time committment during the 2 years (this way there is no misunderstanding). You can get someone to do a divemaster course for definitely much less than $1000 (sometimes you can even get AI too for this price) and you have to buy the materials. To me, I wouldn't promise anyone anything for 2 years for a few hundred bucks: even at $250/month work value that would only end up being 3-4 months in 'barter,' and if you add an "DM internship" (usually 8 weeks) on to that, you're talking 6 months tops. However, if everything is agreed and understood, and you don't think you're going anywhere over the two years and you definitely want to do it and understand the time committment, I would say go for it!

CN

 

[spectrum]

A wise friend of the family who was a judge often said, "good papers make good friends"

As suggested convert this thing to a measurable expectation of hours worked for services or training recieved.

It works both ways in that you need to know how much of the training you have recieved at any point in time.

You need to be prepared to terminante this is the situation changes. If you have a total dollar value that washes as a barter arrangement and you each track "contribution to date" it's easy to cash out at any time.

This can be as simple as certain time and training milestones that let you see balance along the way.

By the way we sound a lot alike and I'd be very tempted by such an offer.

Pete

 

[cummings66]

I agree that I need to nail down something more definite than something like a total number of classes which is kind of what I have now. It's been discussed as being something like 10 - 15 classes a year I'll help with, somewhat flexible scheduling so that I won't need to take off my work that often.

However I see the wisdom is nailing down something more businesslike so that I can equate x hours = x amount of training received that way I know when it's paid off. However, for those that replied about the training only keep in mind they're also paying the insurance as well and from the couple of local DM's I talked to that's about $500 a year. Is that a common price or high? Does it vary according to areas like regular insurance does?

If it's not too personal how much does a DM make per class, that figure would make it easier to barter if I knew it. Around here one instructor told me he pays his DM $200 per class. I don't know if that's high or low.

Keep in mind I'm not doing it for the money, but more for the fun of helping others. In particular I think I'd rather work with the new people just learning how to dive rather than the experienced divers adding skills. However I suspect I won't have that choice until later on.

They've invited me to attend a couple classes and observe the current DM and what they do, I intend on doing that just to see what all they do during a class.

Theskull, I get down to TR about 6 times a year so I'm bound to run into your group eventually, may have already during the Project Aware which I participate in.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I had an identical offer. I ended up helping more than 10-15 classes a year for to years. I had to help my instructor move twice, each time from one two-story house to another. I had to house sit for him and have his dogs eat my socks at night.
I had about 600 dives before I took my DM course, so I was very comfortable in the water. After certification I worked as a DM enough times to realize that I missed having fun diving. I had no intention of becoming an instructor, so I stopped renewing and just went back to diving. I now have nearly 1200 dives and enjoy each one as if I was a new diver.

 

[AquaHump]

I had an identical offer. I ended up helping more than 10-15 classes a year for to years. I had to help my instructor move twice, each time from one two-story house to another. I had to house sit for him and have his dogs eat my socks at night.
I had about 600 dives before I took my DM course, so I was very comfortable in the water. After certification I worked as a DM enough times to realize that I missed having fun diving. I had no intention of becoming an instructor, so I stopped renewing and just went back to diving. I now have nearly 1200 dives and enjoy each one as if I was a new diver.

Very good point. Once you take DM you have taken you last care free for fun dive.

 

[SubMariner]

I agree that I need to nail down something more definite than something like a total number of classes which is kind of what I have now. It's been discussed as being something like 10 - 15 classes a year I'll help with, somewhat flexible scheduling so that I won't need to take off my work that often.

However I see the wisdom is nailing down something more businesslike so that I can equate x hours = x amount of training received that way I know when it's paid off. However, for those that replied about the training only keep in mind they're also paying the insurance as well and from the couple of local DM's I talked to that's about $500 a year. Is that a common price or high? Does it vary according to areas like regular insurance does?

Insurance for a DM right now is considerably less than that amount. For example, Witherspoon & Assoc are covering DMs for $314.88/yr. The DM course generally runs about $500 with approx $200 more for materials. Frankly, 2 years of indentured servitude is too much to "pay" for a DM course.

If it's not too personal how much does a DM make per class, that figure would make it easier to barter if I knew it. Around here one instructor told me he pays his DM $200 per class. I don't know if that's high or low.

There is really no set amount; it depends entirely on the arrangement between the Instructor/shop and the DM. Some DMs get gear, fills, and trips in lieu of money.

Keep in mind I'm not doing it for the money, but more for the fun of helping others. In particular I think I'd rather work with the new people just learning how to dive rather than the experienced divers adding skills. However I suspect I won't have that choice until later on.

They've invited me to attend a couple classes and observe the current DM and what they do, I intend on doing that just to see what all they do during a class.

If it's a PADI shop you'll be working for, you may want to take a look on their website to see the general duties/responsibilities of a DM. Of course there may be more, depending on what the demands are of that particular Instructor/shop.

Bonne chance,

 

[mark99]

My question regards diving skills needed. I have instructors comment on how well I do almost every time I dive with them, have never had fear issues in the water and plan what I'm doing before I do it. I'm not the kind to just jump off a bridge because it's there, but I can handle surprises without issues due to other training and experiences as a pilot. My concern is just like a pilot I gain some experience each time I dive, run into new issues and ways of dealing with things every time I go out and I know I do not know a lot compared to what I will a year from now, and a year from then. Nothing is static in diving or flying and if you don't learn from each dive you might as well hang it up. My concern is that even though the LDS feels I'm well suited to this I'm hesitant because I'm such a new diver with only 50 dives so far. The dives have ranged from 122 feet on up and various lakes and quarries, vis ranging from I can't see the gage in front of my face to wow, I can see 30 feet today. I've dove wetsuits up to 7mm thick and drysuits from various makers, I currently dive a Viking drysuit.

I have had some minor issues, nothing big and have never run low on air on my own. Before I practiced rock bottom times I did manage to run lower than expected when I donated air to my OOA buddy, but still had enough to handle the situation.

In the end the question boils down to how much experience do you think a person should have prior to becoming a DM?

From your description, you have plenty of experience to feel comfortable as a DM trainee, especially given you still have to take your rescue class and will likely do even more diving between now and then.

Ditto all the concerns about the 2 year committment, and that you should compute the hours you will work and whether you are getting a reasonable deal.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I'm interning now as a DM candidate and while it is fun and you learn alot, the internship thing can get old real quick if you are not careful. I finally told my instructor that I want to finish up. I've been assisting with classes and reviews and helping out at the shop. So much so that I've fallen out of my training schedule for the swims,( shoulda done em months ago before I injured my shoulder) the ow classes have put some of my DM academics on hold(got all exams done but some knowledge reviews need to be gone over) and am supposed to do my skills demos in two weeks. And while it has been fun it also has gotten real old at times. I just spent the last two diving weekends with out any students and I loved it! Dove with a DIR trained diver and rediscovered alot of things I'd not used when working with students because I did not have time to focus on my interests. I feel renewed. If you are going to do this do not make the mistake of only diving when doing DM stuff. I had to get out there with a buddy or do some solo stuff to keep it fun. Two years does not sound so bad if it's 10-15 classes a year. But what are those classes? Is that 10-15 weekends plus pool time plus classroom and shop duties? There are only 26 weekends in a year. It sounds like you have 3yr old. Are you willing to give up half of your weekends with her for two years? Try 48 hours times 15. That's 720 hours if you are gone all weekend. Even if you are only there each day and go home each night thats 12 hours a day so 360 hours. plus say 6 hours pool time for each group there's another 90 hours. Then say 2 hours each class cleaning gear, putting it away, etc. there's 30 more. so 360+90+30=480 hours. at minimum wage that's 2520 dollars or so. So the DM course is actually going to be worth 5 grand or better to the shop in labor at min wage. Seems kind of expensive for DM. When I finally get my cert. I've pretty much decided to do fundies and have fun for awhile. And BTW why would you take off from your regular job to help with class?That's more money you lose unless you are going to take sick days or burn up vacation time. I'd rather pay for my course and not be indebted to anyone. Disenchanted or just more aware of what's going on is what I'm now trying to figure out. I've as a result definitely decide to not persue instructor for awhile because of this. I also do not feel after having come this far and gotten the experience that I have that I would not be an instructor I would trust without another 100 dives or so and I've done cold, deep, low vis, ocean, fresh, high current, and solo dives. Like one of the other guys on this board says when I had 50 I thought I was pretty good. When I got 100 I knew I needed to learn alot more. And after diving with a diver like the one I just dove with the last two times I saw even more how much practice I still need.

 

[Footslogger]

Very good point. Once you take DM you have taken you last care free for fun dive.

======================
I wouldn't go quite that far.

I got my DM back in the 90's and helped out at the LDS and on cert trips. When I set up a dive trip for myself I most often don't even tell anyone I'm a DM. Just show my AOW card and away I go. There are times when being a DM on a fun trip offers some perks but otherwise I'm just THERE like any other diver.

'Slogger

 

[andydiver06]

I paid all they way including MSD to DM just so that I can get free dives with my LDS anytime I feel like. I even joined them for an expedition and had three days of fantastic dives. If you are diving at the same location all the time partime DM job really makes your day. I feel great when I can impart the little knowledge I have gained till yet and help some divers. If you have another job which pays I would advice you to pay for your course instead of commiting to work for your LDS for 2 years or else its a great offer.