Why is becoming a DM considered not worth it?

[Lorenzoid]

I did my DM course because I wanted to be a better diver. Better for me, once I’ve mastered the basics, means being responsible for other people, more so than individual skills such as buoyancy, all of which improved as I was diving more, and having to perform different tasks centred around looking after other divers; leadership and teamwork in a dive environment, which a DM course teaches, is another aspect.

If "being responsible for other people," "looking after other divers," and "leadership" is part of one's goals, then it seems to me the DM course would be a great route to take. I'm glad it worked out for you. My own view of "better diver" doesn't include those things, and I recognize such views can differ among individuals.

 

[Lorenzoid]

And doing a tec course would mean even more skills that I’d never use than on a DM course

Like what skills? Taking GUE's Fundamentals course in a single tank and wetsuit, with my stated goal, understood by the instructor, being to become a a better recreational diver, I learned (what I can recall off the top of my head) propulsion techniques (ie, kicks), buoyancy, trim, donating gas to an out of gas diver, more rigorous gas calculations, DSMB deployment, situational awareness, how to be a good buddy (or "team" member in the GUE lexicon), plus a few tidbits peculiar to GUE. GUE isn't unique in offering divers an opportunity to hone the types of skills I mentioned, as it has been said that some TDI or other instructors are willing to tailor their intro-to-tech type courses. Or it may be possible (though admittedly not as simple) to get an instructor to teach a customized skills workshop apart from any course.

As for the kit (or gear/equipment to us Yanks), while it's true that most divers start out in a traditional jacket-style BC with a traditionally rigged regulator set, the backplate-and-wing (BP/W) is an increasingly common alternative even for recreational divers, as is the so-called long-hose regulator setup. It's not even always necessary to buy such gear just for a course, as it may be possible to borrow a BP/W and reg set, as I did. I liked it, and I switched over permanently after the course. I run into plenty of rec-only divers wearing the same gear. If I had instead decided after the course that this so-called tech gear did not appeal to me, I could have continued using my old jacket-style BC and reg set, and the course would still have left me with vastly improved skills.

 

[Leatherboot69]

Like what skills? Taking GUE's Fundamentals course in a single tank and wetsuit, with my stated goal, understood by the instructor, being to become a a better recreational diver, I learned (what I can recall off the top of my head) propulsion techniques (ie, kicks), buoyancy, trim, donating gas to an out of gas diver, more rigorous gas calculations, DSMB deployment, situational awareness, how to be a good buddy (or "team" member in the GUE lexicon), plus a few tidbits peculiar to GUE. GUE isn't unique in offering divers an opportunity to hone the types of skills I mentioned, as it has been said that some TDI or other instructors are willing to tailor their intro-to-tech type courses. Or it may be possible (though admittedly not as simple) to get an instructor to teach a customized skills workshop apart from any course.

As for the kit (or gear/equipment to us Yanks), while it's true that most divers start out in a traditional jacket-style BC with a traditionally rigged regulator set, the backplate-and-wing (BP/W) is an increasingly common alternative even for recreational divers, as is the so-called long-hose regulator setup. It's not even always necessary to buy such gear just for a course, as it may be possible to borrow a BP/W and reg set, as I did. I liked it, and I switched over permanently after the course. I run into plenty of rec-only divers wearing the same gear. If I had instead decided after the course that this so-called tech gear did not appeal to me, I could have continued using my old jacket-style BC and reg set, and the course would still have left me with vastly improved skills.

That’s great, but I don’t want to dive in GUE standardised kit or with standardised procedures. I did want to do something I enjoyed, and I enjoyed DM.

 

[Leatherboot69]

Also, not that it’s the be all and end all, but Fundies costs £799 in the U.K. (approx) plus kit rental and included four dives. DM cost £920 and I got around 20 dives for that, plus the opportunity to DM for my LDS and defray the cost of diving in the future.

 

[Lorenzoid]

That’s great, but I don’t want to dive in GUE standardised kit or with standardised procedures. I did want to do something I enjoyed, and I enjoyed DM.

You wouldn't even dive with a BP/W and long-hose setup just for the course and then go back to your old rig if you wished to afterward?

The gear is only "standardized" in the sense that certain key bits of gear will be the same for all students in the course. And as I mentioned, a BP/W and long-hose reg setup are not specific to GUE; divers who trained through various other agencies, both tech divers and rec-only divers, even some who profess to dislike GUE, are using essentially the same configuration.

And although GUE teaches specific procedures, such as the step-by-step way they teach you to deploy a DSMB or share gas, I would imagine instructors with other agencies teach a specific way to do such things as well. What instructor teaches five different ways to do a task in the same class? It would confuse the student and not be an efficient use of time. For purposes of a course, I would imagine every instructor has some way they would like to see you do something, regardless of agency.

I'm getting a vibe here of some sort of (please excuse me) "standardization" paranoia, which I don't think is based on the reality of what is required of a student in a course. After the course is over, you can dive in any gear you want, in any way you want, with whomever you want, and yet your improved skills will stay with you if you continue to practice them. But nevermind GUE and Fundies--the larger point I was trying to make was that similar instruction can be found through instructors with other agencies as well.

I can't argue with, and in fact completely agree with, the desire to do something "enjoyable," and I'm sure the DM course can be enjoyable. So can other courses. My wife and I, who had hardly heard of tech diving at the time, both had a blast in Fundies. It was challenging, yet a lot of fun. Nevertheless, one thing that these intro-to-tech type courses do not attempt to do is to teach how to lead and look after other divers, and if that is the gist of what makes the DM course enjoyable to someone, then the DM course seems like an excellent route.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Also, not that it’s the be all and end all, but Fundies costs £799 in the U.K. (approx) plus kit rental and included four dives. DM cost £920 and I got around 20 dives for that, plus the opportunity to DM for my LDS and defray the cost of diving in the future.

Just a guess, but could the "four dives" reflect the cost of a boat or admission to a quarry dive site? In Fundies a student will do many more dives than four. My guess would be that in the particular class you looked into, four of the many dives involve some extra cost. My Fundies class did not involve a boat; we did it all in the Florida springs. There was one spring that charged a significant admission fee, though. I'm sure costs can differ depending on where one takes the course.

But another point that is beyond argument is that a student will do more dives in the DM course than in the Fundies course or other intro-to-tech type course. I have heard divers remark that they saw the DM course as a way to get in a lot of dives for a low per-dive cost. I considered it myself at one time for that reason.

 

[coolazul]

Hello!
I just recently fell in love with diving, like I've never liked anything in my life before, and I was thinking about getting my DM.
I know the reasons to do it change if from person to person but I'm wondering why so many people say doing the DM if you don't plan to work is useless.

My position is that I quit my job to travel last year and I am not ready to go back to normal life yet. I am considering doing DM for the following reasons:
- I want to become a better diver and I want to challenge myself and learn more
- I want to spend a few months diving and volunteering at a dive shop. I do not exclude the idea of actually working in the field if I love it so much after the course, I am open and right now I don't know where life will take me
- I've got prices from a few places I've been diving at and doing the DM course is significantly cheaper (like half the cost) than just doing fun dives for the same amount of time


But apart from that, especially as it works out cheaper this way, why is everyone so against it?

Your opinion is welcome, thank you!

I agree with many of the folks here. Dive master course is about leading trips, not skill development. If you are serious about being a dive master, it is Best to do your dive master course where you plan to lead trips. A divemaster course may help you become a better diver because you do a fair amount of dives to familiarize yourself with the places you are leading trips. Also in places like Utila and in areas of Thailand, Dive Master courses are cheap you are with a lot of nice folks having fun in a tropical location.. If you want skill development, I would look more towards tech diving or even Master diver to begin with. A GUE course would be a starter in tech diving but you are dealing with a lot of $$ on equipment.

 

[TMHeimer]

I agree with many of the folks here. Dive master course is about leading trips, not skill development. If you are serious about being a dive master, it is Best to do your dive master course where you plan to lead trips. A divemaster course may help you become a better diver because you do a fair amount of dives to familiarize yourself with the places you are leading trips. Also in places like Utila and in areas of Thailand, Dive Master courses are cheap you are with a lot of nice folks having fun in a tropical location.. If you want skill development, I would look more towards tech diving or even Master diver to begin with. A GUE course would be a starter in tech diving but you are dealing with a lot of $$ on equipment.

Agree. As well if you intend to assist with courses doing DM at that shop is a big plus.

 

[NothingClever]

I can safely say it MASSIVELY improved my diving skills and I don't understand people that say it doesn't.

That's great!

Now that you’ve developed some proficiency, you’re all set to be the face of a charter with a deck full of tourists and seasoned divers. I bet the tips are just going to roll in like pennies from Heaven.

Did you ever buy your first set of fins? I know the color pink was an important selection criteria.

 

[Edward3c]

I was just thinking to update this thread as I am now close to finish my DM, after 1 and half month. I can safely say it MASSIVELY improved my diving skills and I don't understand people that say it doesn't.
My buoyancy, my trip, my kicking are so much better. I'd say the skills is the last thing as it's the thing I've done the least I will have to work on them before being certified, but it definitely made me become a better diver.

The route someone takes to further their knowledge and skills is entirely up to the individual. Well done on making your choice. Just because it doesn’t fit with others training model doesn’t make it wrong.

Some forget we do this activity because it’s fun. Now go and enjoy your diving.

When you eventually return to the U.K. look up a BSAC club to go diving with in British waters.