To unnecessarily drive up consumer costs and provide a security blanket for poor divers.
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To unnecessarily drive up consumer costs and provide a security blanket for poor divers.
DMs around S.E.Asia tend to be one of two varieties;
1) Shepherd/Babysitter: Leading a flock of [-]sheep[/-] divers around a dive site and generally providing all necessary functions to stop said customers from prematurely and permanently ending their herd existence. Does all dive planning, equipment set-up, fixing any problems, navigation, safety assessment and generally taking every and all decision that needs to be made. Becomes the responsible buddy for every diver in their care.
2) Underwater Guide: As above, but doesn't give two hoots about customer welfare or safety. Jumps in, swims around and is always pleasantly surprised if a majority of the divers happen to surface in their general vicinity at the same time as them. When divers don't surface at the end of the dive, gets primarily concerned about being late and missing dinner/drinks/upset girlfriend etc.
our LDS provides A dm free of cost on every dive day. its a way to look out for the clients, equipment and boat
To unnecessarily drive up consumer costs and provide a security blanket for poor divers.
our LDS provides A dm free of cost on every dive day. its a way to look out for the clients, equipment and boat
I think it's a very regional thing.
When I was doing divemaster DM's were primarily used by instructors to keep track of students, set float tubes, carry stuff, assist students in set up, go along and make sure everyone's air was on, help people in and out of the surf, etc. Basically free slave labor for the instructors.
Most of us just got into DM for the comeraderie and to stay in "the loop". I don't know of one person that I was associated with that actually went to work as an actual DM for pay (as low as it might be). It seems the internships in my neck of the woods can drag out for years, and a lot of people get fed up and just quit figuring 'what's the point'.
It might be different in tropical destinations where they need people to lead tourist dives etc. but around here the only place remotely resembling a DM position might be the dive boats in Monterey, or a dive shop DM that might lead a personal tour of a Monterey/ Carmel shore dive. I'm three hours north from Monterey Penninsula and there ain't squat up here, you're on your own.
Regarding recreational scuba diving/snorkeling activities:
18. Ensure that a certified and renewed divemaster, assistant instructor or scuba instructor is present and supervising all snorkeling or recreational scuba diving tours offered by the dive business.
Either (1) the DM isn't being paid or (2) the DM isn't free and is being built into the dive cost.