Talon:
So here is the question: If I do my typical dive and take care of myself - would YOU consider a $5 tip appropriate?
Absolutely! Like I said before, the tip thing does feel a little freaky to me, but I'm gracious for whatever anyone wants to tip. There are plenty of times we get nothing, and then other days (like today) that people feel overly generous. The service was the same, the weather was just not as good.
I would say 85% of the divers on the boat truly need a DM in the water with them. Not that they aren't capable, they just perfer a dive guide to show them around an unfamilar reef. If I had to rely on tips alone in order to live, life would be bad. I left a very well paying job (that I hated) to explore the dive industry. Do I ever plan on getting rich doing this, absolutely not, sometimes there are things far more important than money.
When I do my dive briefing I tell all the divers that I will not be babysitting them, they are all certified divers and I expect them to plan their dives and dive their plans (I tell them only what the maxium allowed time/air supply). If I lose site of a diver on the reef, I will hang in between him and the group only if I feel he might need some extra help. If I was diving with you, there's a good chance I would just let you be. I'm only the dive Natzi during two things, roll call and dive briefing.
As for diving with me, I'm very curious as to weather or not we've dove together. I used Rampage exclusively until she sank. Mike Law also taught me everything I know about the reef system, what to look for and all in all how to DM on a boat. He use to sit there and quiz me during our SI to get me ready for my DM test. I still see him every now and again working off Doug's boat, so he's around. He is one of two people I would trust with my life in the water. I agree with you about him being a mentor, there's no way I could have been taught from a book what he has shown me. His passion for diving is as strong as my own.