Why is becoming a DM considered not worth it?

[Isa.nerwen]

Isa,

When you eventuly get back to the UK concider joining a UK dive club (BSAC Club Finder). British waters are world class once you've dressed correctly for the slightly cooler water. Have a look as some of my pictures.

Thanks for the tip! I tried to look at the pics but it tells me the page isn't available

 

[lexvil]

Liability insurance.

 

[34109411]

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!

there is other way of becoming a better diver beside being a DM.

 

[Edward3c]

Thanks for the tip! I tried to look at the pics but it tells me the page isn't available

A sample:

 

[Edward3c]

A sample:

And:

 

[Wibble]

there is other way of becoming a better diver beside being a DM.

That's funny!

A DiveMaster isn't a great diver; the course doesn't teach you things to be "a better diver", it teaches you how to be a glorified shop assistant.

If you want to be a "better diver", then go down the technical route where you learn skills to become a much better diver.

 

[Isa.nerwen]

A sample:

Oh that looks beautiful! Is the last one a Flounder?

 

[Isa.nerwen]

That's funny!

A DiveMaster isn't a great diver; the course doesn't teach you things to be "a better diver", it teaches you how to be a glorified shop assistant.

If you want to be a "better diver", then go down the technical route where you learn skills to become a much better diver.

I will look into that too, someone suggested it

 

[Isa.nerwen]

Liability insurance.

I won't work as a DM (most probably) so won't need insurance

 

[Wibble]

I will look into that [tech diving] too, someone suggested it

Bottom line: it's great that you're enjoying diving and have great enthusiasm. There's so much more to diving though and once you've developed great skills (starting with buoyancy, trim, finning) you can then enjoy the diving.


If looking at UK diving it tends to be deeper, typically below 30m/100ft, in cold water (i.e. drysuit), tidal conditions (drifting away from the shotline), dark (need a torch+backup), with frequently poor visibility where self sufficiency is vital. Because of the depths decompression is very common and requires additional equipment and skills, not least planning. In essence it strays quite quickly into what's commonly known as technical diving, e.g. below 40m/130ft and decompression.

BSAC are well equipped for this, but so are many "dive shops" with allegiances to recreational agencies.

The main thing is to get the practice in and go diving! The UK has some amazing diving just on our doorsteps. Alas we don't always have the weather.


As an aside, the SDI Solo Diver course has higher entry requirements (100 dives plus a mature attitude) than the DiveMaster course (60 dives). Aiming to do the Solo Diver is a way of ensuring you've the right skills to keep trouble away.