PADI Specialties/Divemaster worth it?

[heavyjeffd]

I do plan on taking Rescue/EFR no matter what.

I'm just undecided on the specialties other than Nitrox, if I even really elect to do any.

Thank you for the great post, Devon.

*edit*

And you know, there is a great instructor here whom I feel I have a really good friendship with (he's a member on this board as well, Jack Ryan).

I have no problem paying for Jack's classes, I guess this is all just some personal wrestling with should I do DM vs. MSD as the cost will be pretty similar for 5 specialties vs. DM.

 

[DevonDiver]

My advice is to have a good discussion with Jack about what you hope to gain. Both the MSD and DM programs can be targetted to focus on particular aspects.

With the right mentor, time and mutual hard-work, you can achieve what you desire regardless of which program you are formally registered on.

The key is to spend some time considering exactly what results you want to attain. Then consult with your instructor on the best process for obtaining those goals.

A great instructor will provide you with a bespoke training program...and not cram you into an 'off-the-shelf' package that may not fill all of your requirements.

 

[heavyjeffd]

Well truth be told, he is pushing me towards DM saying he thinks I'd be a great candidate, I definitely took that as a compliment and it is part of the reason I guess I considered it, I just don't know exactly what or how far I'd go with it.

But I agree, I need to take Jack to lunch.

 

[MtnPlayVA]

Thanks for starting this heavyjeffd. I am in a similar position so it is nice to hear other peoples opinions. I started diving a year ago and took class after class to gain knowledge and experience. I had thoughts of being an instructor but as I got more into it I realized that I didn't really want to go that route and decided to focus on what interested me. I got the MSD certification because I earned it and that means something to me. The LDS is now pushing me to DM because they think I would be good at it. I probably would be but I haven't been able to find anyone who can tell me why I should do it. I've heard personal satisfaction, tax write off, and ability to help others. Right now I want to just dive and gain experience. I know going through the process to become a DM would be beneficial to my diving but so would working with mentors. It's a hard decision to make.

The cost for 4 specialties (you should take Nitrox for either route) vs DM training is probably about the same so it really comes down to what you want. You will learn a lot both ways if you want to. I know a lot of people say it's the instructor but I think it also has to do with how much you put into it. I ask a lot questions and I have learned something from every instructor so far. Some were better than others but they are all excited to help me learn. Maybe they are willing to put in a little more effort because they see how interested I am in whatever the specialty is.

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[MtnPlayVA]

My advice is to have a good discussion with Jack about what you hope to gain. Both the MSD and DM programs can be targetted to focus on particular aspects.

With the right mentor, time and mutual hard-work, you can achieve what you desire regardless of which program you are formally registered on.

The key is to spend some time considering exactly what results you want to attain. Then consult with your instructor on the best process for obtaining those goals.

A great instructor will provide you with a bespoke training program...and not cram you into an 'off-the-shelf' package that may not fill all of your requirements.

Great advice devondiver. I'm still undecided about going to the next level so I continue to dive while contemplating it

 

[Peter Guy]

I've heard personal satisfaction, tax write off, and ability to help others.

Do NOT use this one as a reason, especially with the current emphasis on scrutinizing "hobby" losses. It will be the rare DM (or for that matter, probably a lot of instructors -- those with "real jobs") who will be able to do much more than deduct expenses from actual revenue.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Thanks for starting this heavyjeffd. I am in a similar position so it is nice to hear other peoples opinions. I started diving a year ago and took class after class to gain knowledge and experience. I had thoughts of being an instructor but as I got more into it I realized that I didn't really want to go that route and decided to focus on what interested me. I got the MSD certification because I earned it and that means something to me. The LDS is now pushing me to DM because they think I would be good at it. I probably would be but I haven't been able to find anyone who can tell me why I should do it. I've heard personal satisfaction, tax write off, and ability to help others. Right now I want to just dive and gain experience. I know going through the process to become a DM would be beneficial to my diving but so would working with mentors. It's a hard decision to make.

The cost for 4 specialties (you should take Nitrox for either route) vs DM training is probably about the same so it really comes down to what you want. You will learn a lot both ways if you want to. I know a lot of people say it's the instructor but I think it also has to do with how much you put into it. I ask a lot questions and I have learned something from every instructor so far. Some were better than others but they are all excited to help me learn. Maybe they are willing to put in a little more effort because they see how interested I am in whatever the specialty is.

Good luck whatever you decide!

As to the highlighted text. Why you should do it is really an internal question. Only you can answer that, Grasshopper. Do you feel that you'd benefit by assisting with students? Will it make you a better diver? Is it a course that will test and push you? Will it expand your knowledge of diving in areas that you are interested in? Will others benefit from your experience? Will you be allowed to pass on your knowledge to students? Some instructors have egos and will not let you do much more than observe, lift and tote, and expect you to sell more courses and crap to people instead of guiding them to be better divers.

Do you want the added risk and liability that becoming a pro entails? Can you afford it? Will you still be able to dive for fun just for yourself(this is a biggie and either gets rid of some Dm's or makes them bitter and a bitch to be around{happened to me})?

Questions you must ask youngling. Yes, many questions. Meditate on them. Trust your feelings. May the force be with you.

 

[Elonna]

I'm a brand new diver, so I have no experience to base anything on, but I've already begun to think about where I might want diving to go for me...and my thought is this...because the costs are similar, consider DM over MSD just because it leaves the path open for future possibilities. If I understand correctly, if you go for MSD but then later decide you want to go further, don't you have to get the DM certification anyway? Just my two cents worth...

 

[AndrewA]

I worke my way up the PADI ranks to Rescue diver picking up a few specialties on the way. However at that point I did not want to "Go Pro" but did want to expand my diving so I switched agencies to ones that offered what I wanted (BSAC and ANDI) and later went further down the technical route. Some years later I was persuaded to start instructing (but within a club structure)

 

[heavyjeffd]

I'm a brand new diver, so I have no experience to base anything on, but I've already begun to think about where I might want diving to go for me...and my thought is this...because the costs are similar, consider DM over MSD just because it leaves the path open for future possibilities. If I understand correctly, if you go for MSD but then later decide you want to go further, don't you have to get the DM certification anyway? Just my two cents worth...

Yes, you still have to do all of the DM stuff. MSD is not related to DM nor are the specialties.