Should I go for DM?

[Lady_LB]

Hello! I am new to this site and hoping to get some answers/advice! I am heavily considering signing up for a DM internship on Roatan but I'm not sure what to expect during the course and mostly after.
A little bit about me....I was certified 10 years ago during college and traveled to several islands in the Caribbean to log about 30 dives. Unfortunately, work and "life" got in the way and put this on the shelf but I have never stopped thinking about going back for more!
I really want to get my DM and possibly work for a couple of years in the Caribbean with a dive shop. Is this realistic? I know the money isn't great....I'm not worried about that. I live a simple life. I just want to know what life could be like after getting the DM.

Thanks!

 

[Web Monkey]

I really want to get my DM and possibly work for a couple of years in the Caribbean with a dive shop. Is this realistic? I know the money isn't great....I'm not worried about that. I live a simple life. I just want to know what life could be like after getting the DM.

You can't just show up on an island and work. The locals take a dim view of foreigners taking their jobs.

If you do get hired, you'll get to take a lot of people diving, but it won't necessarily be where you want to dive. You'll also be responsible for the lives of a steady stream of strangers and will get paid very little.

However if you like diving and don't need the money, you might like it for a while.

FWIW, all the professionals I know have "real" jobs or are retired. I don't know anybody over the age of 20 that DMs as a full-time job.

Terry

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Also many DM's are not really DM's but have instructor certs. A DM is not worth much to a resort. They can't teach classes. That's where the money is. Look at how much you'll pay for a course that will also require/expect you to work for free.

 

[k ellis]

Well Im not a divemaster but I do agree with the above post. It doesnt seem there would be a lot of money in it but I can not vouch for this. I would say the decision though should be based on where you want to take your diving life though.

I am a master diver and love not being responsible for anyone but myself (Except if an emergency arises in which I would be morally obligated to help if not legally). But if you love to see smiles on visitors faces and enjoy giving people life long memories then go for your dive master.

I have learned asking questions like is a certification worth going for or not tends to bring out the which is better ford or chevy in people.

Good luck and I hope to hear what you decide

 

[Red_5]

I thought completing Rescue was it for me... Talk with my Rescue dive buddy (there were two of us in the class) had me thinking about going for DM.

DM is more of a challenge than MSD, which is why I ultimately went this direction. now as I'm 2 weeks into the DM program I'm even considering OWSI. I had always thought how neat it would be to be a DM for a living in some exotic location. But one of my instructors told me that if that was my goal, that was fine, but I stood a better chance of landing a DM job if I was an instructor, bringing more versitility to a potential organization.... time will tell

 

[Tinytechie]

Take it from a working dive instructor who DOESNT have another real job. Diving is the LIFE. No i've never made much money and ive never had much money. I work in a place and save as much as i can so i can afford a plane ticket to the next job in the next exotic location. I've been doing this for the last 3 years and I have no intention of stopping. But it is true, you won't get too far with just a DM certification. There are jobs out there looking for just DMs but its much more beneficial to go through and do and instructor course after that. If you love diving and want to spend a few years living in paradise, keeping a simple life and diving, then do it. you'll love it.

During your DM course you will work your ass off helping out at what ever dive shop your doing the course with. You'll assist on courses, boats, with gear, compressors and everything else you cant even think of. You'll learn all the physics physiology and general theory behind diving and hopefully become the best dive leader you can be. its a great, and comprehensive course. Once you go on to IDC (instructor development course) you are basically just learning to teach what you will already know.

And in response to the comment that you'll get to dive but possibly not where you want to dive.. uh.. just dont accept a job that is somewhere that you dont want to dive.. once you are qualified and looking for work, apply to places that you would love to dive.. Personally, its better to dive working than not dive at all. And i love sharing the underwater world with other people.

 

[Web Monkey]

And in response to the comment that you'll get to dive but possibly not where you want to dive.. uh.. just dont accept a job that is somewhere that you dont want to dive.. once you are qualified and looking for work, apply to places that you would love to dive.. Personally, its better to dive working than not dive at all. And i love sharing the underwater world with other people.

My comment referred to the dive site, not the island. It's entirely possible to end up taking vacation divers to the same handful of sites for years.

Terry

 

[Splash-X]

In most cases, people do not DM for money they DM because they love diving and enjoy sharing it with others. Being a DM or even an Instructor means going above and beyond to ensure both your customers saftey and enjoyment. While being a DM is not for everyone, it is very rewarding in its own way as if you're giving back to the diving community.

There is a great deal of responsibility. I don't mean to discourage you but I do mean to tell you that for the majority of people there is no "career" in being a DM.

As what Jim has said, most places won't consider you until you reach instructor level so you can become flexiable enough to teach, lead trips, or clean gear


Being a DM is a great experience and if you have enough money saved up to survive a summer with little to no cash inflow and want to experience a leadership role then being a DM may be for you!

 

[BonaireDan]

Hello! I am new to this site and hoping to get some answers/advice! I am heavily considering signing up for a DM internship on Roatan but I'm not sure what to expect during the course and mostly after.
A little bit about me....I was certified 10 years ago during college and traveled to several islands in the Caribbean to log about 30 dives. Unfortunately, work and "life" got in the way and put this on the shelf but I have never stopped thinking about going back for more!
I really want to get my DM and possibly work for a couple of years in the Caribbean with a dive shop. Is this realistic? I know the money isn't great....I'm not worried about that. I live a simple life. I just want to know what life could be like after getting the DM.

Thanks!

Great plans. DM is the first step on that road. I agree with the above posters about moving past DM to OWSI. That will make you more eligible for a dive career on a nive island somewhere warm and sunny. However, work rules, permits, visas, etc. are often a big hurdle.

As you go down this fun road consider instructor ratings, multiple agency instructor ratings and the ability to teach as many specialties as possible. Under PADI the MSDT rating is a great goal with 5 specialties. I have the same goal for retirement days (see comments above). To meet that goal I am currently PADI MSDT instructor shooting soon for IDC Staff Instructor. I am OWSI for SDI as well shooting for the next level as Staff Instructor Trainer. I will also do an SSI instructor crossover in the next year. I teach HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association). In addition I am a DAN instructor.

Those are ideas on which you can direct your efforts that will make you marketable to potential dive center operations.

Some would also suggest the training courses for resort and dive center operations as well as gas mixing.

Have fun and enjoy. I surely do and will continue to as long as I am physically able. Note - some already question my mental state but that has not stopped me yet.

 

[2905luvsbubbles]

I agree with the above posts, especially becoming an instructor. To achieve that goal will cost you more money and a lot more dives. It can be an achievable goal, but you have to decide what you want to do out of life, not only now, but in another 15 years. FWIW