Tipping DM Trainee

[cbc2v]

Hi there,

I’m getting certified in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. I understand my instructor/guide should receive 10 USD per dive in tips. He also has a DM trainee with him. Does he get the same? Less? If so, how much?

Also, on a totally separate note, it’s been like 5 hours since my dive and my ear still feels full of water and won’t clear. Is this an issue I should be concerned about? Thanks!!

 

[KatieMac]

Hi there,

I’m getting certified in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. I understand my instructor/guide should receive 10 USD per dive in tips. He also has a DM trainee with him. Does he get the same? Less? If so, how much?

Also, on a totally separate note, it’s been like 5 hours since my dive and my ear still feels full of water and won’t clear. Is this an issue I should be concerned about? Thanks!!

I don't see a need to tip the DMT. Nice gesture though.

 

[Lorenzoid]

As to the ear feeling "full" hours after a dive, that's not too unusual. I recall having dived all day and then at dinner or later at night it finally clears. If it's still that way the next day, that's more concerning. Post in the Dive Medicine subforum.

 

[Outbound]

Hi there,

I’m getting certified in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. I understand my instructor/guide should receive 10 USD per dive in tips. He also has a DM trainee with him. Does he get the same? Less? If so, how much?

Also, on a totally separate note, it’s been like 5 hours since my dive and my ear still feels full of water and won’t clear. Is this an issue I should be concerned about? Thanks!!

When I was a DM trainee it was always nice if I received a tip, but it wasn't really expected. That said, I think it depends on how much work the DMT does. When I was doing mine I was basically doing all the work expected of a DM - setting up the dive site, hauling tanks, helping students and divers with their gear, answering questions, herding the scuba cats, breaking down and packing gear at the end of the day, etc. If your DMT is doing a lot of work, tossing him/her a tip would be a very nice gesture. If they are just following along and not really doing much besides that, then I wouldn't tip.

 

[ontdiver]

Perhaps I am a bit dated, or have misread the OPs post, but had not heard that tipping course instructor per dive was common practice. Or is the OP possibly referring to post-course dives?

 

[Lorenzoid]

Even the idea of tipping one's instructor is not universally agreed upon. Search for past threads. In my opinion, give the instructor some token of appreciation, like taking them out for a meal, but don't tip in cash. A tip of 10 USD per dive is what I would give a DM on a guided dive. And that's in the US and places overrun with Americans, not necessarily Indonesia, which is equally overrun with non-tipping divers of Aussie and other nationalities. Is 10 USD really now the going rate in Indonesia? Wow.

 

[rick00001967]

tipping is very personal.
whether you tip or not, and how much you might tip is totally up to you. tipping your guide might depend on many factors.
did they go above and beyond what is normally expected? what is the local economy like? (in other words....is 5 bucks a days pay or is it less than minimum wage for example) did they show you some cool stuff you never would have found yourself? etc etc.
tipping someone in training is certainly i nice thought. i doubt most people would.

 

[TMHeimer]

I have no idea what tipping is expected in Indonesia. I can say the only tip I ever got as a REGULAR DM on a course was one beer. I don't think any of the instructors received much if anything in tips.
You are talking about tipping during a course (as was I). Tipping on a charter boat for just straight diving is another matter. When I have taken a charter boat in the U.S. I tipped the DM on board $10 US ($5 for each of the two dives).

 

[b1gcountry]

If you are prone to ear wax, the trouble clearing might be impacted wax. (Or maybe not)

A solution of rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and peroxide usually clears out my ears after a dive.

Vinegar to help kill bacteria
Peroxide to help break down ear wax
Alcohol to displace water and dry the ear canal

 

[cbc2v]

Okay, sounds good! Thanks!!

I don't see a need to tip the DMT. Nice gesture though.