I'm planning on going on to teach scuba as a pastime after retirement (in 5 years). I am 50 now and going for "Rescue" this year. The DM insurance is getting confusing. I was told today by a dive shop owner that once a DM you are liable no matter what. If you are on a boat with two groups and a diver from the other group is injured and you were nowhere around but still on the same boat, you can be as liable as the other DM from the other group. This means even if you are on vacation and not running the group. If I decide to go through the program just for the experience and pay padi the annual renewal fee, are you really safe forgoing the annual insurance?