The Divemaster Dilemma...

[El Orans]

I've been thinking about getting my PADI Divemaster cert for some time now. I'm an IDD Rescue Diver with 250+ dives in all kinds of environments.

I've seen local DMs who resembled a underwater, others who had no idea how to do a back kick or who kept insisting that I needed a snorkel. Then again, I've done some dives with DMs who were very experienced and capable divers who've taught me a lot.

There are several options I could choose:

1. A two weekends course (2x3 days), EUR 769;
2. A seven weeks course (seven pool/theory lessons, four dive days), EUR 595;
3. A five months course at my LDS, EUR 500.

Let's not forget the annual costs: my DAN insurance would double and PADI would also want some extra money. I could, of course, just get the cert without becoming an active DM but that would just be a waste of money, IMHO.

Benefits are negligible: free air and a discount on new gear. The gear discount isn't really relevant, the new toys (dry suit, canister light) I'd want are not available in these shops.

Basically, being a DM looks a lot like being an unpaid volunteer. Not that there's anything wrong with that (I also volunteer for the Red Cross) but being a DM is volunteering for a business.

I've read dozens of threads stating other ways to improve your diving (NAUI Master Diver, technical diving). The NAUI shop I'd prefer is not practical given my current job and even though I've taken DIR-F and dive a BP/W, long hose etc. I'm not really interested in going over to the dark side.

If I want to help new divers to become better divers, I don't really need to be a DM. It's more than enough to be active in my local club and mentor new divers.

Now, given all this, why do I still keep thinking about doing the course? :huh:

 

[Nemrod]

If you want it then get it but I see no need for it. If your into clubs and see diving as a social undertaking and your involved with a group then it may be a good thing. If your a loaner, solo dive, dive with only a few friends or "team" members or your wife/husband/family then it would be a waste mostly--unless--your progressing toward a career or Instructor rating etc. N

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Accomplishment. I don't know you but, that is my guess. The certificate means that you have reached a level of accomplishment in the given subject (not just scuba other subjects also).

I personally enjoy teaching (not Scuba yet) it is enjoyable to see others accomplish a goal or learn a new skill etc...

If you are not in a rush to get this done taking it at the LDS would seem like the best option to me if you have a good replationship with them. Do they help with the insurance if you are volunteering for them?

I will keep up with this thread, I too am looking at what is next for training etc.

 

[TheWetRookie]

Now, given all this, why do I still keep thinking about doing the course? :huh:

It is the IN THING to do. I hear people going for this all the time and it seems like the logical progression in one's dive carrier. I to have had the same thoughts as you but have resisted.

For me, and it sounds like you also, that I have no desire, at this point in time, to go into the professional side of diving. The DMing and then instructor side of things. I would just rather dive and have a good time. I am all for taking new divers out and helping them get going.

I would save the money until you know what you really want and just dive.

 

[spectrum]

If I want to help new divers to become better divers, I don't really need to be a DM. It's more than enough to be active in my local club and mentor new divers.

Now, given all this, why do I still keep thinking about doing the course? :huh:

I have had the same thoughts. the DM role as a whole seems like a big distraction from what I want to do with my free time and I have no use for the liability/insurance issues.

I would very much like to be involved with getting new divers started. I have taken a special interest in diving with freshly certified divers and that seems to fulfill the need.

For now I'm going on 2 goals.....
1. Dive with a spirit of continuous improvement
2. If I am someday appreciated by some diver(s) as a mentor I will have been successful.

Meanwhile there is a world of reading, practicing and learning to be had with no agency fees.

Pete

 

[tedtim]

Let's not forget the annual costs: my DAN insurance would double and PADI would also want some extra money. I could, of course, just get the cert without becoming an active DM but that would just be a waste of money, IMHO.

Benefits are negligible: free air and a discount on new gear. The gear discount isn't really relevant, the new toys (dry suit, canister light) I'd want are not available in these shops.

I did not look at it from the point of financial gain, but more from an educational point of view. My wife was just starting out with diving and I saw it as a good opportunity to really see what it was like from the trainers perspective. BTW, I have a number of years of experience as a military flight instructor.

Basically, being a DM looks a lot like being an unpaid volunteer. Not that there's anything wrong with that (I also volunteer for the Red Cross) but being a DM is volunteering for a business.

You are right, and at times this becomes a big irritant. Other times I see it as a good thing, for example when I am DM for the weekly club dive, otherwise there would be a few folks who simply would not be diving unless they went on a vacation.

If I want to help new divers to become better divers, I don't really need to be a DM. It's more than enough to be active in my local club and mentor new divers.

Now, given all this, why do I still keep thinking about doing the course? :huh:

It has to be that you are looking to fill the void resulting from the lack of prestige associated with your work on ScubaBoard.

In the end, if you want to become an instructor, then the DM route is necessary.

 

[caseybird]

Find a good program and become a DM because:
It gives you a reason to dive.
You will better your dive skills, because you dive more often.
You will become part of a motivated and professional team of divers and friends.
You will learn skills from good local divers and instructors, not from "internet gurus".
You will have fun training novice divers.
You will find yourself bored training novice divers.
You will be amazed and proud when a novice diver plans and executes a flawless dive.
You will be an unpaid volunteer. I treat it like a hobby, I don't expect to make a living from it.
If you don't want to do it, don't do it to impress the other guys on the dive boat. It's boring to us. The local DM isn't impressed.
Do the internship. Taking responsibility for new divers is the heart of the course. The short course with simulations doesn't cut it.
Find a good, challenging program. Learn as much as you can. Good luck.

 

[Pez de Diablo]

I've been thinking about getting my PADI Divemaster cert for some time now. I'm an IDD Rescue Diver with 250+ dives in all kinds of environments.

I've seen local DMs who resembled a underwater, others who had no idea how to do a back kick or who kept insisting that I needed a snorkel. Then again, I've done some dives with DMs who were very experienced and capable divers who've taught me a lot.

There are several options I could choose:

1. A two weekends course (2x3 days), EUR 769;
2. A seven weeks course (seven pool/theory lessons, four dive days), EUR 595;
3. A five months course at my LDS, EUR 500.

Let's not forget the annual costs: my DAN insurance would double and PADI would also want some extra money. I could, of course, just get the cert without becoming an active DM but that would just be a waste of money, IMHO.

Benefits are negligible: free air and a discount on new gear. The gear discount isn't really relevant, the new toys (dry suit, canister light) I'd want are not available in these shops.

Basically, being a DM looks a lot like being an unpaid volunteer. Not that there's anything wrong with that (I also volunteer for the Red Cross) but being a DM is volunteering for a business.

I've read dozens of threads stating other ways to improve your diving (NAUI Master Diver, technical diving). The NAUI shop I'd prefer is not practical given my current job and even though I've taken DIR-F and dive a BP/W, long hose etc. I'm not really interested in going over to the dark side.

If I want to help new divers to become better divers, I don't really need to be a DM. It's more than enough to be active in my local club and mentor new divers.

Now, given all this, why do I still keep thinking about doing the course? :huh:

My first time on SB in months and I come across this thread. Lorans, you are an excellent diver so you have the inwater skills to guide divers and I think you have a better understanding of the physics and physiology of diving than most dive masters. You are going to have no problem with the theory behind diving. This is - in my opinion - half of being a divemaster. The other half is learning how to deal with students, how to demonstrate skills and how to deal with certified divers and knowing how to read the feelings of these divers. This should be an area where you are willing to spend many months working with different instructors seeing how they deal with both student divers and certified divers in different situations. So, even if the cost was more, take the course that will go slow and allow you to work with as many instructors as possible. For me, I only like to do DM courses over 3 - 6 months and have the candidate work with at least 5 different instructors.

Dennis

PS, I still haven't recieved your DVD/wetnotes back.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

El, go back and read some of my DM posts. There are things I love and things I hate about it now that I'm here. WOrking with students can be very rewarding but also if you don't temper it with diving for yourself and just having fun and learning for yourself(I went into tech) it can get real old real fast. I'm not even going to comment on the money issue because that's a real sore spot with me. PADI will want annual dues and I'm not familiar with insurance issues where you are but I have to carry personal liability plus my DAN insurance which combined is about 400 US dollars a year. I'm being very creative in trying to generate some income as a DM to at least cover that. I'm also doing the crossover to NAUI DM and YMCA AI in order to take my YMCA instructor course next spring after I get back from Bonaire. I'll then be doing a crossover to NAUI instructor as they give indies more support and freedom. BUt if you decide to do DM I'll echo the others who said take the long way with more internship(it will come in real handy when you get a problem student), and the chance to work with different instructors. Take the best of all of it and put it to good use. But remember if it stops being fun it's time to back off, do some diving for yourself and get your batts recharged. Otherwise you may just say forget it and all the effort will have been for less than it should have been.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

"Now, given all this, why do I still keep thinking about doing the course?"

Dude. You want the card.

Admit it. You know its true!

No one would ever know, but each night you could take it out and look at it...

It would sit there in your wallet, and you would know its there.

Your photo would be on the back.

It would be all nicely printed out. You could have it laminated if you wanted to...but its already a stiff plastic card, but the lamination would make it shinier.

It would be better than your other cards, too!

Its the card! Its all about the card!!

Who cares about the cost? (or the whiney students for that matter...)

You've got to Feed the Need!

It's the card.

Go for it!