Divemaster course

[dreamtime]

Make sure youi don't just pay and get the cert card. This is the big joke of Thailand. It is actually a big market there. I know in Australia, there are some places that will not hire because you were trained in Thailand. They are also wary of dm and inst. from Cairns in other parts of Oz. Make sure you do the course. Don't cut the corners cause you can and do everything. Ask questions and follow along for courses. If they try to push you through quickly, don't let them. This is training for a job and you should be trained well; if not, why spend the money.

 

[Bowmouth]

Make sure you don't just pay and get the cert card. This is the big joke of Thailand. It is actually a big market there...

Dreamtime please let me know where one can buy DM cards in Thailand and where to find the big joke. Diving is a "big market" here but I have not seen any shop advertising "DM cards for sale".

 

[Bubble Junky]

Make sure you don't just pay and get the cert card. This is the big joke of Thailand. It is actually a big market there. I know in Australia, there are some places that will not hire because you were trained in Thailand.

I never had a problem finding work in Australia, and I did my DMT at one of the bigger 'factory' schools in Koh Tao. From my experience, in Oz you will be 'interviewed' for a position, and your attitude is more important than where you were certified.

An issue with finding work in Oz is visas. There are many Australian and NZ instructors who do not need visas, and will possibly stay long term. You could hire one of these guys, or someone who is on a round-the-world trip and can only work for one company for 3 months max. Who would you hire ????

Having spent over three years teaching in Thailand (east & west), I have never seen anyone "just pay and get the cert card".

 

[stevenl]

Dreamtime please let me know where one can buy DM cards in Thailand

Not Dreamtime, but I can help you.
What kind of card do you want? On Khao San Road you can even buy CD cards.

 

[Arizona]

And for the IE, it is standardized with PADI examiners. I would think how the candidate presents him/herself is a big factor. As Bubble Junky wrote, attitude is key.

AZ

 

[Bowmouth]

Not Dreamtime, but I can help you.
What kind of card do you want? On Khao San Road you can even buy CD cards.

Jeez, if I had known that, I wouldn't have had to pay all those big PADI bucks and teach all those students to get my MI card.
I've been a loooong time in Thailand but I've not heard of this one before.

 

[similandiver]

Oh I love to see things stirred up...

I would love to pitch our schools DM program too! Or is that too obvious?

I honestly think that it's worth getting advice from boards like this. It helps. But you'll see that there are grizzled old forum dwellers who are angry that someone posts a similar question as a previous one 6 months ago. And you'll hear from peppy new guys who have a lot to share and you'll see a few (seemingly) neutral characters pop up with opinions.

And you should contact the schools directly, whether online or in person. You'll get a very nice feel for operators that way too.



With all that said.....

I think it's best to do you course in a place like Khao Lak. With a combination of liveaboards, speedboats and longtail diving you will get a lot of valuable experince. In addition you will encounter real conditions like waves and currents that affect most dive spots in the world. Finally, of course - the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock - 'nuf said.

 

[KT Darius]

Dreamtime,

Perhaps you've not been in this industry for long. In my experience Thailand trained dive pros are among the best I've seen anywhere in the world. I know there are places in Oz that slate Thai divers, but I think that is more frustration for losing business to us than real concern for our level of instruction (ref. the constant bashing between shops on KT, Phuket and Pattaya!!).

I'd agree with Bubble Junky that attitude and circumstances go further in getting employment than in which part of the world you were trained.

I've heard of a 5 Star IDC somewhere on KS road that is certifying people to all levels for really cheap. Anyone know where it is?

 

[Arizona]

Where else in the world do so many people take 6 months to year to pusue advanced certifications in such large numbers? It is because it is affordable by western standards, cheap booze and of course other things Thailand has to offer. If you combine that with great dive sites, weather to match (may have to move around during seasons) then you get the draw. The quality of instruction is good and many people outside of Thailand loose business and bad mouth because of this.

Of course some shops are better than others just as you will find anywhere else in the world. I would put a plug in for my CD as I start the IDC in July, but I think it best you PM instead if you want to know. Located on Samui...

Please Aquanauts resist not jumping in right away

AZ

 

[mgmonk]

I asked for a OWSI card from a street vendor when I was on KS road last week, and they told me they didn't have them for sale.

I wondered if that just meant they had already sold out of them that day.