weighing the pros and cons of dm internship

[smjohnson74]

Background- 4 years ago, I quite literally fell into diving while backpacking in Mexico. I met up with my folks in a resort town, my dad won the evening bingo. The prize- a free scuba dive. I went on that first dive and I fell in LOVE with it. Luckily, I got a job in Public Relations at the hotel for the dive shops. I got certified on my one day off a week and was a new instructor's first student. This means I'm pretty green.

SO, I havent been diving in all this time, due to school and generally just making excuses. No more excuses-- I'm off to Mexico again to pursue my divemaster.
I have two options- one is to study at Protec in Playa del Carmen- I know one of the owners and I'm familiar with the dive sites and community. The costs are higher, but the gear is included (I don't get to keep it) and I know that the level of education I will receive there will be top notch and inspiring.

My other option is in Manzanillo. The costs include accomodation, but I have to bring my own gear. Keeping in mind that I will be travelling after I complete the course. Budget and going to somewhere new are compelling also. I dunno.

Thanks in advance- Michelle

 

[TheRedHead]

So, are you saying that you are an Open Water Diver, haven't dived in 4 years, but now want to pursue a Divemaster certification?

 

[Scottri]

Start by doing some diving. You then have to do the Advanced class then Rescue, First Aid and CPR prior to Divemaster. You are going to be much better off if you gain some experience prior to starting your DM training.

 

[Damselfish]

yes, certainly seems rather early to be thinking about Divemaster. Even if these places have some crash program that gets you the other prereq certs and enough dives first, that alone won't magically turn you into a good divemaster.

I can't imagine someone going for Divemaster that doesn't have their own gear yet!

 

[Sideband]

I agree with the others. The cart is definitly in front of the horse here. Sounds like you have several certifications, lots of diving and gear purchases ahead. DM is a leadership position. Don't think I'd have a lot of faith in a DM that rented all their gear and had less experience than me.

Joe

 

[Kaiser442]

Just grabbing life by the horns, eh? Way to go.

Can I come? pleeeeease?

 

[kensuguro]

it's good that you have several options though, both leading you towards DM anyhow. It's true about the gear... most instructors would want you to get your own gear, some may say it's mandatory. (my instructor did)

I'm in DM training right now, and this is what my instructor keeps telling me. Some places get you DM certified in a little under 2 weeks, or even less.. theoretically it's possible given you have the logged dives. If you've been diving for 20 years, well, you're probably okay. But most likely, it's going to take months of training to actually attain the inner quality of a DM. Not just the certificate.

But either way, you gotta start. And the sooner you start diving with determination, you'll build experience more efficiently than diving just for kicks. Of course, you'll have to go through AOW and Rescue and stuff like other have mensioned, but those are very quick compared DM.

I wish you good luck in your training. I just watched my first OW class that I assisted in get certified, and that was kind of an interesting feeling.

 

[Diver0001]

Background- 4 years ago, I quite literally fell into diving while backpacking in Mexico. I met up with my folks in a resort town, my dad won the evening bingo. The prize- a free scuba dive. I went on that first dive and I fell in LOVE with it. Luckily, I got a job in Public Relations at the hotel for the dive shops. I got certified on my one day off a week and was a new instructor's first student. This means I'm pretty green.

SO, I havent been diving in all this time, due to school and generally just making excuses. No more excuses-- I'm off to Mexico again to pursue my divemaster.
I have two options- one is to study at Protec in Playa del Carmen- I know one of the owners and I'm familiar with the dive sites and community. The costs are higher, but the gear is included (I don't get to keep it) and I know that the level of education I will receive there will be top notch and inspiring.

My other option is in Manzanillo. The costs include accomodation, but I have to bring my own gear. Keeping in mind that I will be travelling after I complete the course. Budget and going to somewhere new are compelling also. I dunno.

Thanks in advance- Michelle

Given your choices I would go where I thought the quality of instruction was better.

R..

 

[vkalia]

One thing I dont get - why have a problem with DMs who dont have their own gear?

I know lots of young - in their 20s - DMs who travel and are excellent in the water. Due to the lifestyle that they have chosen, funds as well as space are limited and quite a few of them don't have gear. What does that have to do with their skills as a DM?

Yeah, it's nice to have your own gear, but that is for personal comfort - from the point of view of someone else trusting or not trusting a DM, it shouldn't matter whether they own their kit or no.

Vandit

 

[LavaSurfer]

One thing I dont get - why have a problem with DMs who dont have their own gear?

I know lots of young - in their 20s - DMs who travel and are excellent in the water. Due to the lifestyle that they have chosen, funds as well as space are limited and quite a few of them don't have gear. What does that have to do with their skills as a DM?

Yeah, it's nice to have your own gear, but that is for personal comfort - from the point of view of someone else trusting or not trusting a DM, it shouldn't matter whether they own their kit or no.

Vandit

I just found this thread and decided to wake it up.
Nobody answered the question posted by vkalia.

Many divemasters I know or met have used the company equipment. Some Own thier own but the level of skill has NOTHING to do with RENT vs OWN.

I for one own my own gear and NO I am not a DiveMaster but I am embarking on the training this week. Yes, I am fairly new and Yes I know that I will take some shots for that but the fact is, I am doing this for me not anyone else.

I had two choices that "I" laid out in from of me.
1- Master Diver Path (Hokey marketing ploy in my mind)
2- DiveMaster Path (Intense and rewarding)

Why choices at all? because I wanted to continue educating myself.

This is how I operate...


The reason I want to be a DM is to increase my own personal knowledge and gain invaluable experience and at the same time exploit my already honed leadership capabilities. It just seems right for me and I am totally excited.

Will I run out and lead people into dives anytime soon for profit?

Probably not.

But as I gain more experience and change my life as I have planned, the day will come and I will be ready.