DM courses in SE ASia.

[Carruthers]

Hey guys,

So here's the situation, I completed my DM in Dahab, Egypt in 2004, but for very complicated reasons, never sent the documentation off, so I am officially a Rescue Diver (which is fine). My wife (who is Korean) and I are now planning to go all in with the diving route, which means that she needs to do everything from OW, and I need to do a number of refreshers (I literally haven't dived since 2004) and then probably redo my EFR and DM. Ideally, what we want to do is find a good place in SE Asia for her to learn from scratch, and for me to get myself back into diving, before we both do the DM. Ideally, we'd then like to be able to work as DMs for a while until we are both experienced enough, and capable enough, to do the IDC. Once we've done that, then obviously the possibilities open right up. So really, the question is, where would you recommend in SE Asia for her to learn from scratch (she would probably want a Korean speaking instructor for the stuff after Advanced) that would also be a good place for us both to get some work as DMs prior to doing the IDC? We are very open to doing the DM course in one place and then going to another after a while for work and in order to get experienced enough to do the IDC. Thanks for any ideas/advice.

[DevonDiver]

My wife (who is Korean) and I are now planning to go all in with the diving route, which means that she needs to do everything from OW,...

Risky.

I need to do a number of refreshers (I literally haven't dived since 2004) and then probably redo my EFR and DM.

Both EFR and DM have changed substantially since 2004. Your DM (re-apply/referral) expired after 12 months. Your EFR expired after 2 years, but could be refreshed.

Dive centre would insist on DM from scratch. They might insist on EFR from scratch as well, due to the volume of changes to the course.

Ideally, what we want to do is find a good place in SE Asia for her to learn from scratch, and for me to get myself back into diving,

Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines all fit the bill. Do you have any specific preferences.

Ideally, we'd then like to be able to work as DMs for a while

Not much earning potential for relatively inexperienced DMs. At best, you might find some freelance, commission only, work. It'd be hard to support yourselves though. I'd advise budgeting sufficient money to cover your living expenses for at least 1 year - until beyond the IDC.

Once we've done that [IDC], then obviously the possibilities open right up.

You might earn a living. Double income certainly helps. Don't under-estimate the amount of competition though - Asia is swarming with DMs and Instructors, most of which will work for virtually nothing. Supply vs demand of labour is not in your favour in that respect.

Languages help... your wife might find demand in that respect.

[Carruthers]

Thanks. Yeah I was pretty much expecting to redo the EFR, and as I was never officially certified, redoing the DM from scratch was a given. Thanks for the info, We can support ourselves until we get past the IDC, although a little extra money in the meantime would obviously be helpful. No real preferences among those places, although I'd rather avoid huge dive resorts full of 'party people' (if you know what I mean).

[Carruthers]

If all else fails, we could go back to Dahab (where I know people. and the dive sites) once we've done the DM, but Asia would be preferable.

[DevonDiver]

Have a look at Scuba Junkies in Borneo. Awesome diving, friendly team working there. It's a backpacker focused operation, but not a sausage-factor, drinking pit, like many you'd find in Thailand.

Worth also checking out the Philippines for training... it's not so much of a saturated market, so you can find a decent centre that'll focus on quality diving/training, rather than bulk volume. Evolution in Malapascua, Scotty's in Cebu or Capt Greggs or Asia Divers in Puerto Galera are worth looking at for DM training and maybe IDC.

For Thailand, have a look at Master Divers. Ayesha (one of the owners) is here on SB, so you can talk directly. They have a very good ethic towards quality diving - very unlike the majority of the dive centres in that area (Gulf of Thailand). Koh Tao is a thriving training area. Not the best quality diving (compared to Borneo or Philippines), but you'll get lots of hands-on DM/Instructor experience due to the volume of trade there. More chance of freelance work post-qualification too.

[Carruthers]

Yeah I was looking at Koh Tao for those very reasons. Heard the diving isn't fantastic, but as you said, lots of opportunities there. Our provisional plan was to go to Koh Tao to get the DMs (or at least for my wife to get up to Rescue) and then see how it goes. Part of the reason for that is the fact that my wife would probably need a Korean instructor for the DM, and I know there are a bunch of them on Koh Tao. I've heard differing things about the possibilities of work permits in Thailand for DMs though. Having said that, 90% of the divers in Egypt are working illegally on tourist visas. Many thanks for the specific recommendations! I'll check them out. We have until Feb to make a decision, so plenty of time for research. Thanks again DevonDiver!

[Bubble Junky]

In Koh Tao I'd recommend Buddha View - they have a team of Korean instructors, headed by an awesome guy called Freddy !! Or take a look at Thresher Shark Divers in the Philippines...

[Carruthers]

Thanks man!