Worthwhile additions to a DM internship?

[k ellis]

Yes Emergency Oxygen Provider is a great course. Forgot all about that one Also I loved it because it was neat and interesting too. I give a thumbs up for this course!

[oreocookie]

I'll look into the local equipment specialist classes. If one of them seems decent and reasonably in depth, it might give me something to do while I'm waiting to get back in the water in the spring. I like to know how things work, so if they're going to show me what a reg looks like when it's taken apart, cool, but if they're just going to show me how to rinse stuff properly and store a wetsuit so it doesn't crease, no thanks.

[MX727]

If you plan on going on to OWSI, I would get those specialties that you would end up teaching most often in the area you work in. If you already have the specialty, then you can eventually self-certify as an instructor in that specialty. Alternitvely, you can do a MSDT program and if you already have the specialty, save some money.

[Scoober]

A DM Internship is by far the best way to go. Utila is cool (pretty backpacky), but the Sand Flies can get brutal. I like West End on Roatan. Coconut Tree is sort of the traveler/backpacky place of Roatan. Deep and Nav are key, as they are required for the AOW course, with which DMs assist. I focus alot on natural nav in my Underwater Nav courses, as most dive guides are leading dives based on natural nav, EFRI Instructor is great--all other things being equal among DM job applicants, I will hire the DM who can teach something independently. Why not? Enriched Air is essential at some point, for your own diving and because many of the divers a DM will take diving will be using enriched air. Peak Performance Bouyancy is great because it makes YOU a better diver, and it is fun to teach other divers to be better divers. Underwater Search and Recovery is cool because it is a little more skill-intensive and "techy". Search patterns, lift bags and such. Finally, get your gear repair certs--great skills to have when working out in the bush! And a great source of additional cash.