Why is becoming a DM considered not worth it?

[Still Kicking]

"For fun," "to look at a wall," "to look up," to prevent cramping, to follow a slope up or down--those are all "reasons" as I would define the word. If you're not breaking horizontal trim for any of those reasons or some other reason, get back in horizontal trim, as it can provide the advantages others have mentioned.

Being able to orient oneself in any desired position and maintain neutral buoyancy while performing complex tasks are hallmarks of a squared-away diver.

 

[NorCalDM]

You may want to look at Laguna Gili Dive Center in Indonesia. The Course Director "Goto" is awesome and I have personally dove with him in the Philippines. The also teach side mount and other tech courses as well.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

The DM program will certainly make one a better diver because the diver will undergo additional training, and do a heck of a lot more diving, and have a better understanding of equipment and how divers think and act, especially when under pressure.

Just because a diver might not be paid, and is trading his or her time and labor for training and experience does not devalue the course.

In my area there are 2 local dive operations practically begging for a DM candidate because they can't find paid labor. So it's not always about "putting someone out of a job because you got someone to do it for nothing".

Why would someone "piss off a lot of people" by volunteering to work at a shop and dive with people?

They probably can’t find paid labor because nobody is stupid enough to work for next to free.
They love DM candidates because not only does the shop get money for the DM course but the “candidates” have to do an internship. Win win for the shop.
They strung me out for over a year because they didn’t want to give up that free slave labor.

 

[Bob DBF]

In my area there are 2 local dive operations practically begging for a DM candidate because they can't find paid labor

What are they paying, and what are the hours? That's the usual problem with finding help, you don't pay enough for what you want done, or there are not enough hours to make it worthwhile, or both. DM candidates are just free labor, and no one else will work for free, or close to it.

 

[Still Kicking]

What are they paying, and what are the hours?

DMs get paid in hugs and high fives. You can't put a price on those LOL.

 

[Bob DBF]

DMs get paid in hugs and high fives. You can't put a price on those LOL.

If that's what pays the rent...

 

[ChernoJP]

It makes a look of sense to be honest.
So my plan is to go to Thailand and I'm targeting dive schools that also offer tech courses so I can check directly when I'm there.
The only thing now is to see if I can afford to do both because honestly my main main goal right now is to live that lifestyle for a few months, otherwise i have to go back to "real life" and in not ready for that

BigBlueTech is good on koh tao

 

[Edward3c]

BigBlueTech is good on koh tao

BigBlueTech is one of the three big bucket type operators their boats (which they have many) take 50~75 divers each.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

BigBlueTech is one of the three big bucket type operators their boats (which they have many) take 50~75 divers each.

Holy crap!
That’s quite a cattle drive.

 

[Edward3c]

Holy crap!
That’s quite a cattle drive.

Yes, when I’ve been on Master Diver’s boat they’ve change the dive site when any of the big three are there.