Tipping
- Thread starter Magali
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Welcome to the ScubaBoard! Since most DM's are not paid or minimally compensated by their LDS and may only be compensated by the Instructor, any tip given will be much appreciated. Thanks for being so considerate and thinking about them!
Maria25:
Some who are DM candidates may need the time. DM's who are already DM's do not. I don't need the time. I have 140 + dives, 160 plus hours in the pool assisting with students, and need one offical session this week to demo skills and do one swim(100yd tired diver tow) and I'm sending in my paperwork the next day. It depends on the setup as to how much the instructor makes. If independent he gets it all. If he's a shop employee it's between him and the shop. Your cost may support both but usually the DM gets little if anything monetarily from either. We do get air fills(but not always), gear discounts sometimes( I'm very fortunate to get both). But air does not put gas in my tank, pay for the room, food etc when assisting with a cert weekend. Gear discounts are nice but I'm at the point where if not for the fact of making the transition to tech I have eveything. Many DM's are not doing this, have all their gear, and so a gear discount amounts to nothing. Try going into McDonalds and paying for a 1/4 pounder with your dive shop gear discount card. We don't expect to be handed a hundred bucks after your dives(although not only would I carry your gear, assemble it and clean it for this, I'd probably kiss your ring to) but a few dollars would not be unappreciated. I've gotten one cash tip (20 bucks after doing a review under my instructors supervision) that was totally unexpected and felt like I'd just been handed a million. I've gotten lots of thank you's, and a couple meals. I've also gotten not even that from some and those I try not to think about. Because if I did not love diving so much and just the opportunity to get in the water it would bug me alot more. So for what it's worth remember the next time you are in the water with a DM and the instructor is watching someone else that it's the DM who most likely will keep you from getting hurt or worse should a problem arise. What is that worth to you?
TyWench
Guest
Magali - Thank you for asking the question that bothers me at the end of every dive! When I asked my instructor, he said "eh, a coupla bucks is good" In my mind, is a coupla bucks $2 or $20?
Then again - I generally dive with my son, so I'm paying for two (he's almost old enough to get a job!
) - I have some health problems, so always get help with my gear- and I am still the fully certified enough, but not brave enough, diver to let the DM outta my sight. So, I always try to do right by the DM.
I have worked for tips, so I always try to tip well. JimLap - thanks for clarifying it a little bit. I can't believe people don't tip at all! I have actually left the boat dock and run for an ATM when my cash flow wasn't what I thought it was!
Thanks for bringing up the subject, Magali!
Karen
Then again - I generally dive with my son, so I'm paying for two (he's almost old enough to get a job!
) - I have some health problems, so always get help with my gear- and I am still the fully certified enough, but not brave enough, diver to let the DM outta my sight. So, I always try to do right by the DM.I have worked for tips, so I always try to tip well. JimLap - thanks for clarifying it a little bit. I can't believe people don't tip at all! I have actually left the boat dock and run for an ATM when my cash flow wasn't what I thought it was!
Thanks for bringing up the subject, Magali!
Karen
Tip then according to how they made you feel, how much they did for you. I've seen DM's that deserve a substantial tip but some who shouldn't have even been there.
Instructors don't mind tips either, many are underpaid and do it more for the love of it than the money.
Instructors don't mind tips either, many are underpaid and do it more for the love of it than the money.
Karen you are welcome. 5-10 bucks per tank is not out of line on a boat. I normally go high. plus since my fiance is in a wheel chair and goes along she stays on the boeat and I make sure I take good care of the crew( at least an additional 20) for just keeping her company, giving her water, and talking to her. She loves it.And i agree with Al. If service is above expectations tip accordingly. Do this and it will be so most of the time. Below and then use your judgement. If it really sucked don't tip and don't go back. If it was just average then again 5-10 per tank or I don't see anything wrong with 20 per diver for a weekend if the DM was assisting and did his/her job well.
Magali, I think it's wonderful of you to have asked this. When I got certified, it never occurred to me that the majority of the people who were working so hard to help me were completely unpaid -- I just didn't know.
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