What does it mean to be a Professional Scuba Diver?

[heelsfaninpa]

I was wondering what it exactly means to be a professional diver. The best I can figure out is that you have to become a Dive Master.

Does anyone have a better answer and what type of commitment and time it takes to be a professional diver? Also, how many dives is a good rule of thumb before becoming a professional diver.

Thanks!
Frankie
AOW-SSI

 

[The Chairman]

As in any field of endeavour, you get out as much as you are willing to put in.

Dive Masters are considered "professional" and they should carry insurance. There are many places who offer a quick and easy path to become a Dive Master, but few on this board have respect for those who are turned out like this. Personally, I like to see a candidate have a hundred dives and a solid command of the physics before starting. In fact, the NAUI tract requires you to be a Master Diver and have passed a series of exams BEFORE you start. After all, being a Dive Master means you are in charge of a group of divers, so you had better have your act together.

However, there are other, less traditional routes to making money while diving. These too chould be considered "professional" since there is some form of compensation. Dive Masters on a boat (not necessarily rated as such by an agency), hull cleaners at a marina, the crew of a live-aboard, Videographers (like our own Dr Bill), and many, many others who make their living by breathing off of Scuba! I hope this helps!

 

[Colliam7]

Anyone whose board name suggests they might be a Tar Heels fan living among the heathen deserves a reply. Even if they show a pirate flag avatar, suggesting some unholy connection with ECU. The question is a good one, and I am interested in the replies as well, because they will probably be diverse. For example, when PADI refers to 'going pro' they are referring to pursuing the DM, Assistant Instructor, Instructor training sequence. A related attribute that might define 'professional' would be the degree of liability one incurs through their diving, and whether libaility insurance is required (it is for DMs, AIs, Instructors). 'Professional' could also imply that the diver derives most / all of their income from the endeavor. Notably, a large number (? the majority) of SCUBA instructors and DMs do not derive their primary income from diving. Certainly, a commercial diver would and should therefore be considered a profesional diver, as they dive for a living. Likewise, a public safety diver, employed by a law enforcement agency, for whom diving is the primary activity as an agency employee, would be considered a professional diver from my perspective. Would the Keanu Reeves character in The Replacements be considered a professional diver, because he was cleaning hulls for income? Hopefully, others have additions / corrections.

As for the minimum number of dives, you will get two perspectives: 1) what is required by a training agency for an individual to begin, or complete a certain level of training, and 2) what many SB folks believe should be the minimum amount of experience and individual should have. The latter issue is a subject of, shall we say, animated and enthusiastic discussion, and I won't go there. As for the agency minimums, just to give you a starting point, PADI requires an individual to have 20 logged dives to begin the DM program (the first profesional step), and 60 logged dives to be certified after completion of the program - not necessarily a lot of experience. (As I am PADI-trained, I am not agency-bashing, just making an observation that others will probably make as well.) Minimums will vary across agencies, but this should give you a rough idea of the beginning level.

 

[verybaddiver]

"'Professional' could also imply that the diver derives most / all of their income from the endeavour"

This is what i agree with what a professional diver actually is.

Although PADI consider anybody who pays them some money to stay registered with them 'professional' ;].

 

[Thalassamania]

pro·fes·sion·al /prəˈfɛʃənl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronuncia[pruh-fesh-uh-nl] –adjective

1. following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional builder.
2. of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession: professional studies.
3. appropriate to a profession: professional objectivity.
4. engaged in one of the learned professions: A lawyer is a professional person.
5. following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime: a professional golfer.
6. making a business or constant practice of something not properly to be regarded as a business: “A salesman,” he said, “is a professional optimist.”
7. undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain: professional baseball.
8. of or for a professional person or his or her place of business or work: a professional apartment; professional equipment.
9. done by a professional; expert: professional car repairs. – noun
10. a person who belongs to one of the professions, esp. one of the learned professions.
11. a person who earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently engaged in by amateurs: a golf professional.
12. an expert player, as of golf or tennis, serving as a teacher, consultant, performer, or contestant; pro.
13. a person who is expert at his or her work: You can tell by her comments that this editor is a real professional.

Perhaps 5, 6 and 11 are the most applicable.

 

[verybaddiver]

12 too? ;]

 

[mike_s]

I was wondering what it exactly means to be a professional diver. The best I can figure out is that you have to become a Dive Master.

Does anyone have a better answer and what type of commitment and time it takes to be a professional diver? Also, how many dives is a good rule of thumb before becoming a professional diver.

Thanks!
Frankie
AOW-SSI

I would say a professional diver is any diver who gets paid for their diving.

That might be a divemaster or instructor, but more likely it's going to be a commercial diver. A commercial diver basically is an underwater industrial construction worker. It's a whole different thing from leading a bunch of divers on a tour like a divemaster might do.

 

[ClayJar]

I had this same line of questioning regarding my photography, and I ended up deciding to call myself a prefessional photographer -- more or less, "having the skills and abilities of a professional, but not (often) the pay". :biggrin:

I may eventually continue to professional, but I'm content to stop just short of there for now.

 

[Juno]

Overworked and underpaid.

 

[heelsfaninpa]

Thanks guys for the information. From what I read, it looks like Instructors and Dive Masters (who make money) would be considered professionals.

I completed my first two certifications through SSI (OW & AOW). From the literature that I have, SSI professional training starts with Dive Control Specialist (DCS), Associate Instructor (AI) and Instructor. Each of these requires a minimum number of logged dives (i.e. DCS must have 60 logged dives) and to advance to instructor, you must complete DCS and AI. Also, I dont believe SSI has a Dive Master training program (i could be mistaken).

As for me, I think I will log a minimum of 100-150 dives before I consider "going pro". From what I know about this sport, the more experience you have the more invaluable knowledge you possess.

And by the way Colliam7, I would agree with you that we Tar Heels do walk among the heathen, especially when in Durham and in the vicinity of any Dookie! And...if I had a Carolina avitar...you know it would be posted.

Thanks again guys. Anymore information or suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated.