To DM or not to DM...

[RiverRat]

I just got my DM forms sent out. I took the course for more of a learning experience and have to say prepping for the exams really teaches one quite a bit about the "science" of diving, especially the physics and physiology. Having that knowledge can't hurt anyone. And going through the course gave me another level of confidence. I had about 75-80 dives in many environments going in, that surely helps. I really have no desire to teach OW classes (very time consuming, eats up all your weekends, a TON of responsibility for both young and old alike) however I do admit it's fun to help out on classes and I enjoy answering questions and helping divers work on problems etc.) I think any training can be of benefit, it's the quality of the instructor, and what you "take" from the classes that counts. Some folks just don't see a value in anything, while others seek out the knowledge and get as much as they can get from a class. I was also interested in the business of scuba so wanted to take this to sort of get an inside scoop. Same for me, would have to be all or nothing, most local shops barely survive. So for now it's Computers during the week, and hobby dives on weekends and dive trips when I swing the $. Maybe some DM'ing during the summer to stay current and in the water. That can't hurt.

 

[steveann]

I think I'm leaning towards going for it. (DM)

Two questions: It seems like working DMs (at least, in my limited local experience on the Peace) work their *** off and don't get to have much fun. Any idea how often they get wet while being paid? Second is, how much does the insurance run, and how much do you think you need to dive to cover those extra costs? I'm trying to figure out how much I'd have to work to still cover my costs... my weekends are precious few as it is, between family obligations and having a life, it's tough squeezing another time-sucking hobby into those weekends. And I don't really want to alienate my wife against diving any more than she already is!

The amount of diving you get in depends on what you do with your DM rating. If you work as an active DM for a dive op, you dive on their schedule. If they tell you to stay in the boat and count heads, you stay in the boat and count heads. It's a job just like any other. If you take your DM rating and stay as a freelance "dive guide" for your local area (getting dive jobs through your LDS for out-of-towners), you dive every time you work. Now, realize, these are not "fun" dives. They can be fun, but you are there to make the dive fun and SAFE for your customers. You can also do like I hope to do (and was already put out in the thread) and get to go on some neat dive trips. My LDS is a small op, with both owners having day jobs. If they want to schedule a trip and they can't go, they'll send a DM to represent their shop. Which means, if it's one of those "book-a-boat-get-a-free-spot" trips, you get the free spot. Or a severe discount on it.

Insurance will run about $300 a year for a DM. Of course, that's an ish figure. So, fifty dives at $6 an air fill breaks you even if you're LDS gives you free air. If you're lucky like me, you might even get a free nitrox fill if someone brings back a half full tank and I can get an air top off. Of course, that depends on your LDS, and your relationship with your LDS. I pay for my air fills in ways other than money (and I'm getting stronger every day because of it).

The best part of the DM rating is that you learn about emergency management and the philosophy behind diving. Those two building blocks will make for a better diver than some specialty course. Take that knowledge, put it to use in your diving, and become a true master diver. Then, go get the Master Diver card.

PS: For the wife, get her into diving. If she doesn't want to try, suggest it at some tropical destination (Maui was my secret weapon). You'll be amazed at how much more diving you'll get in if she's into it, too.

 

[Cacia]

I have both dive master and master diver cards. I don't really think the master diver card is something to strive for, unless you just happen to have most of the five specialties and they are things you wanted to do anyway. (Nitrox, wreck, Fish ID, 02 provider,etc...can't even remember my fifth)

I do not actually work as a DM but I guess one of the reasons (besides learning) that made it attractive, is that it is acknowledged in most places and can be a ticket in or a pass in many situations more valuable to me than money. Free last minute boat dives....etc.
Also, just to give another example, if you like environmental work having a DM can get you places. I recently had my trip and hotel paid to attend a very fun event and represent a reef conservation non-profit and help with a reef survey.
Another reason is since I like to solo and take pictures, it seems to make this more kosher. Fewer people seem to insist I do my diving their way and I love being on my own program.

You are correct about the money. Here in Hawaii, a DM would need to live with someone else or have another job. Just to give you a very real idea, a non-English speaking housekeeper or maid makes at least 15 dollars an hour. A DM makes about 7 TOPS. Gas is over 3.00 gallon and the mean house is 650,000. It really does not even subsidise your hobby much. Having said that, it does open many doors. Now that I have established some of those connections and opportunities I am interested in, I am going inactive for liabilty reasons.

 

[laughintom]

I keep reading that the Master Diver Cert is not worth having. I took that class through NAUI and it was great. The dives are alright, but the deeper look into the physics and physiology of diving were great. NAUI's MD cert is well worth the time and money and does not incur any additional liability.

 

[Sideband]

Take the NAUI Master Diver course. It couldn't be any more different than the PADI version. Our MD course is not a bunch of specialties. We covered physiology, physics, boating, dive safety, equipment, search and recovery... We were told that if we could pass the MD course that we would have no problem with the DM tests because the MD tests were harder. I'm taking DM now and they were right.

Joe

 

[CompuDude]

One dive covers all three ?? Hope this isn't PADI,. Under PADI you can only count a dive towards two courses if one is Nitrox (ie. A wreck dive on Nitrox may count towards the Wreck Diver course and the Nitrox course). But all the PADI specs have more than one dive too. Under PADI you can not do a wreck dive in a dry-suit and count it towards the Wreck and the Dry-suit specialties.

It is PADI, but as I said before, there is more than one dive. It's a dive DAY, not just one dive. As in, more than one tank, suface interval, yadda yadda. So one dive will be Nitrox + something, and the other dive will focus on the other skills. One day, one boat fee, one long drive, two dives. Why is this so hard for people to understand?

 

[CompuDude]

Only thing I will add to what has already been said is that you might want to step back and ask yourself about your expectations regarding the DM status. Is diving your hobby or your career ??

I originally did my DM in the early 90's when I was living in the Atlanta area and was spending more time around the LDS and doing a lot more diving. I had already determined that my goal was NOT to become an instructor but that I wanted to gain the additional knowledge/skill. I was interested in helping out with pool and open water classes and did a lot of that over an 8 -10 year period. I did go ahead and purchase DM insurance so that I could act in a professional capacity around student divers. However, like you, I had a good paying full time job that I was not about to give up.

I stayed true to my goals and have never regretted getting my DM rating, despite the fact that it has never served as a means of earning an income. Over the years it has gotten me a few deals on gear and on liveaboard trips it has typically gotten me a little more respect (and a little less direct supervision) from the boat DM's.

That's always been enough for me and you have to ask yourself if that's enough for YOU.

'Slogger

That sounds EXACTLY what I'm looking for.

 

[CompuDude]

I just got my DM forms sent out. I took the course for more of a learning experience and have to say prepping for the exams really teaches one quite a bit about the "science" of diving, especially the physics and physiology. Having that knowledge can't hurt anyone. And going through the course gave me another level of confidence. I had about 75-80 dives in many environments going in, that surely helps. I really have no desire to teach OW classes (very time consuming, eats up all your weekends, a TON of responsibility for both young and old alike) however I do admit it's fun to help out on classes and I enjoy answering questions and helping divers work on problems etc.) I think any training can be of benefit, it's the quality of the instructor, and what you "take" from the classes that counts. Some folks just don't see a value in anything, while others seek out the knowledge and get as much as they can get from a class. I was also interested in the business of scuba so wanted to take this to sort of get an inside scoop. Same for me, would have to be all or nothing, most local shops barely survive. So for now it's Computers during the week, and hobby dives on weekends and dive trips when I swing the $. Maybe some DM'ing during the summer to stay current and in the water. That can't hurt.

Again, this sounds dead onto my situation.

Incidentally, per PADI rules I'm pretty sure I can't get my DM cert until I have at least 60 logged dives. I don't think I can even start until I have 50. So I plan to do a lot of diving between now and the time I start the course. Will I have 100's? No. Will this affect my ability to learn and help out in the pool or count heads on a boat while I'm in the course? Not bloody likely.

 

[lamont]

Personally I know that I have no interest in the liability issues surrounding being a DM or instructor, I'm not that anxious to teach, and I don't want to get burned out on diving because I start turning it into something resembling a job. My recreational certs stop at Rescue and I'm not considering DM. If you're interested in furthering your diving skills the technical side (GUE, IANTD, TDI, NAUI Tech, etc) is another alternative to consider.

 

[CompuDude]

~snip of stuff I totally agree with~
PS: For the wife, get her into diving. If she doesn't want to try, suggest it at some tropical destination (Maui was my secret weapon). You'll be amazed at how much more diving you'll get in if she's into it, too.

I sure wish I could. And while she is interested, there are two rather large barriers to her joining the sport. They both *might* be overcome with time and effort, but diving is definitely not something I can push. (I already tried a little too hard, and now it a sore subject, so it'll have to be on her timetable, not mine.)

1) She gets *exremely* seasick. Dramamine, Bonine, etc. don't do jack for her. She's willing to try the patch (by prescription), but she's worried it'll make her loopy and drowsy... not good for trying to learn skills necessary to keep you alive underwater. So boats are big issue for her. We have a possible workaround planned (drug her up the day before and head out to Catalina for her cert dives, where they do a shore entry (of sorts), which gives her time to get the drugs out of her system and sidesteps the need for boat time aka barf time), but again, I have to wait for her to bring it up again at this point. Perhaps once summer comes in full and it's warm out...

2) She has a bad back. I mean, a really bad back. Two herniated disks. She has been in physical therapy for the past 4 years just trying to avoid surgery. This is the bigger problem of the two. Now, once she's in the water, frankly, she should be fine, as the world is weightless. But entries and exists for her are always going to be tough and require extensive assistance. Fortunately, my LDS is willing to let me tag along and be her gear caddy, so again... maybe. :/

But I'm definitely hoping and praying she'll be able to share this obsession with me someday, although it seems clear she's destined to be an "ideal conditions diver" only, and will have to leave the complicated stuff in incliment weather to me.

Which I'm just fine with!

I'll probably bring this situation in a future post dedicated to the topic.