Instructors...What do you expect from your Divemasters?

[Dee]

I've been a PADI Divemaster for a couple of years now and I still never know what to expect when working with an Instructor for the first time. In the past I've been expected to do from next to nothing to anything the Instructor could think of, including carrying and setting up his/her gear for them. No, I didn't do it!

So I'd like to ask what you expect from your Divemasters?

Thanks,
Dee

 

[Eric]

Hi Dee,

The primary job of a DM is to make sure everyone is having a good time. DM's are not slaves. I also suggest to my students that they tip the DM as they are not getting paid for being there, unlike the Inst. This also gets them use to tipping DM's when they travel.

I'm very fussy who I have as a DM, I've had some real bad ones. If I haven't dove with them before or another Inst hasn't recomended them, I'd rather not have one. DM's are not AI's and they shouldn't be used as such.

Next Monday I'm off to Cuba for another week of fantastic diving aboard our liveaboard operation.

Ciao for now,

Eric
ps. yes the same Eric that was on DL

 

[Dee]

<<The primary job of a DM is to make sure everyone is having a good time.>>

Are you referring to the DM's on your trips? I'm talking about the DM's who work with you in your classes.

While I certainly hope the students enjoy their class, I see my job as more than making sure they have a good time!

 

[Eric]

No I am referring to DM's in classes and open waters. While I get them to help with the logistical stuff and position them as extra help in the event someone tries to bolt, it's still totally my responsibility for student safety and teaching. You sound like your one of the DM's I love to have, one that actually sees it as a "profession". An intelligent, proactive DM is hard to find, at least in my experience.

Take care,

Eric

 

[Rick Murchison]

I expect my DiveCon (in the Assistant Instructor role) to offer insights I may have missed, to be an extra set of eyes, to be that special friend to the student having problems, to boost damaged egos, to cover my six - to be flexible, responsive and enthusiastic.
After the class, I buy.
Rick

 

[Iguana Don]

Eric,

Just when we had her all calmed down, you go and stroke her to new heights, now we won't be able to live with her. Next thing she'll be wanting me to carry her dive gear to the pond.

Thanks a lot

ID

 

[SubMariner]

We expect no more and no less from a DM than we would from ourselves.

This may include:
- setting up ALL the gear while the Instructor is teaching. Yes, this CAN include the Instructor's stuff! Making sure everything is in proper working order, and if it isn't, taking care of it. *Logistical support is one of the key duties of a DM*.
- not diving if need be. Being onboard the boat or on shore while everyone else is diving to watch for and respond to any potential problems. Because it is NECESSARY... and not WHINING about it!
- being another alert set of eyes/ears/hands to ensure a safe, fun time for ALL divers.
- demonstration quality watermanship skills.
- good attitude. We are going to have fun, mon!

We expect them to look, act, and BE professional; to make sure everyone is safe and having a good time.

We expect and value their input. *Communication is the key!* However, it is NOT acceptable for a DM to ARGUE in front of STUDENTS or other DIVE PROFESSIONALS with their Instructor. Or vice versa. If you have problems, discuss them in private.

We expect them to respect our authority, just as we respect theirs. However, the final word is the Instructor's.

Just the short list.


~SubMariner~

 

[Dee]

My crack about the instructor wanting me to set up their gear comes from one that wants you to unload his stuff and set it up before the students get there, making him look good. And all the while he's walking around drinking coffee!

I agree, the Instructor and DM should work together as a TEAM, for the good of the class. I'm willing to do any and all jobs necessary to see that the class runs as safely and as smoothly as possible. The more details I can take care of, the less the Instructor has to worry about. I'm there to assist her/him in whatever way possible.

Doug and I like work as a DM team, if one of us has a class scheduled, we'll both go if the Instructor doesn't mind. So it's common for one of us to be in the water and the other to work as ground crew. No whinning from us, this just makes everything easier and lots more fun! And when the students are having fun, their stress levels almost disappear. At surface intervals when the students are working the tables and filling in their logbooks, you'd be amazed how much a stick-on gold star for correct table answers means to grown people!

Everything you and Rick mentioned is the way I like to work. There has to be mutual respect between the Instructors and DM's or it's never going to work. And that respect extends to problem solving. Never, under any circumstances, do I question the Instructor in front of students.

I'm not there for the money...thank goodness, I'm there because I love it. And other than most of the instructors buying my dinner when out of town on check outs, I never receive tips. But that's OK, too. My reward comes in the smiles on faces, the thanks for extra time spent with someone having a problem and the requests to dive with us after certification.

Thanks for your honest answer!

Dee

 

[DivingGal]

Timely topic Dee. I'm in the DM process with just the "interning" to do. As a real novice DM (not even a "real" one yet), it's nice to know what's expected from an Instructor -- beyond the textbook stuff.

 

[turnerjd]

I've DM'd for several different instructors, and no two instructors want the same from their DM's. One good point that I picked up was to arrive a bit early if possible, and actually ask the instructor what they wanted from a DM.

Some instructors want a DM to be there, and be enthusiastic, especially when it is horrible and cold - students who have just dived in 4°C water in a semi dry for an open water class are not overly warm - remember hanging round whilst everyone did their drills?

There is another instructor, who asks me to get the students doing 'silly things' to keep warm whilst he takes them off 1 at a time to do skills (silly things is anything involving keeping moving - anything to take their mind off the cold - good example is 70's style disco dancing arm movements - quite ammusing having a line of 6 or 7 novices all doing this!)

Equally, I have DM'd for instructors who want the DM to sit in one position and watch what is going on. Others have wanted me to hover above, and behind a line of students whilst they do skills.

Above water, Most instructors I have DM'd for want the DM to provide input as to what they have observed, also, they are there as a friend for the students, some-one they can ask if they are not sure about anything. I have not been asked by an instructor to sort out their kit, but if an instructor asked me to for a reason, then I would, I wouldn't be overly happy just doing it because he wanted me to, but I wouldn't argue infront of the students.

I see my role as a DM in two ways - enhancing safety (being an extra pair of eyes) when in the water, and ensuring that the class runs smoothly above water - often keeping students happy and busy whilst the instructor does other things, or is concentrating on one particular person.

Just what I have observed, (all the instructors I have DM'd for are more than happy for me to DM for them again)

Jon T