What a DiveMaster Can (and Can't) do once qualified?

[TheCoolBeans]

My local dive centre have broached the subject of a Divemaster internship with them.
I have not considered this avenue of diving up until this point.

So in a nutshell, is there a 'pros/cons', or a specific 'Can/Cannot do' list anyone can point me in the direction of?

This course sounds like it might be good idea in the longterm as it will give me access to other discounted training and certifications with the centre once qualified.
That said, i really don't like the sound of kneeling down in the mud with students much?

Is there anyone else who has been in a similar situation, unsure whether to embark on this fairly long commitment?

Thanks Samantha

 

[tursiops]

1. What you can/can't do depends on the certification agency.
2. You shouldn't be kneeling down in the mud anyway! If that is the way your shop teaches, find a different shop.

 

[ibj40]

I thought I was under consideration for a similar opportunity, and entered into the PADI Divemaster course (fortunately with a different shop than the one offering me the "opportunity"), and completed the course and acquired my certification.

Notwithstanding the fact that the opportunity never evolved, I think going through the Divemaster course made me a better diver, even though I had been diving for close to 20 years at the time.

I have not used my DM designation to do anything other than to continue diving, and do not plan to expand my DM experience into the realm of teaching.

I do feel like the DM course gave me a better appreciation for the variety of elements of diving, from an educational versus vocational perspective. I found that I "knew" a lot of what was being taught in the course, I just did not have as great of an appreciation of the technical and procedural aspects.

 

[TheCoolBeans]

1. What you can/can't do depends on the certification agency.
2. You shouldn't be kneeling down in the mud anyway! If that is the way your shop teaches, find a different shop.

It would be an SSI cert...
What's wrong with teaching newbies while kneeling down?

 

[TheCoolBeans]

I thought I was under consideration for a similar opportunity, and entered into the PADI Divemaster course (fortunately with a different shop than the one offering me the "opportunity"), and completed the course and acquired my certification.

Notwithstanding the fact that the opportunity never evolved, I think going through the Divemaster course made me a better diver, even though I had been diving for close to 20 years at the time.

I have not used my DM designation to do anything other than to continue diving, and do not plan to expand my DM experience into the realm of teaching.

I do feel like the DM course gave me a better appreciation for the variety of elements of diving, from an educational versus vocational perspective. I found that I "knew" a lot of what was being taught in the course, I just did not have as great of an appreciation of the technical and procedural aspects.

This centre have told me that its something i can do intensively or at my leisure. Its also gonna cost me £500 plus i will need to get a HSE medical at my own cost. They have said that the only benefits to this are personal satisfaction (plus trade discount on gear and further certs).

Im under no illusion that this isn't going to make me ANY money or income whatsoever, But its not exactly easy to find out what having a DM cert will give me afterwards.
Can i take friends on Discover Dives?
Can i assist Instructors on courses? if so what is the limit to this?
What are the downsides to this cert? (apart from giving up my time for free)

I guess i want to hear experiences

 

[Dogbowl]

My main reason for not wanting to do it: potential liability.

Since you are in the UK, I suspect your tort laws are "similar" to Canada and the US. Dive professionals may be held to a higher standard of care should something happen to your buddy, a student that you are assisting with or a diver you are guiding.

 

[justadyver]

What's wrong with teaching newbies while kneeling down?
take it easy on him, just explain buoyancy

 

[tursiops]

It would be an SSI cert...
What's wrong with teaching newbies while kneeling down?

From https://bobsdiveshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Training-Standards.pdf, which may not be up-to-date:

SSI divemaster:

SSI Dive Guide:

SSI Dive Control Specialists:

Re knees: The current trend, and best practice, is to teach students to be neutral in the water, from the very beginning, rather than training them to kneel or stand on the bottom and then having to unlearn that when they actually start diving. Not all agencies are on-board with this yet, and not all instructors. It is the future, however. May as well start now!

 

[swimlikethefish]

I was once faced with a similar opportunity. Depending on your outlook these are the things I considered when making my decision:
1. Do you enjoy helping people learn.
2. Do you have the patience to assist someone whom struggles with what you perceive are basic skills.
3. Will it interfere with your perception of what enjoyable diving is.
4. Are you comfortable with the liability.
5. What future do you have in diving, leisure/professional.

These are just a few questions you should ask yourself. I did my cert to help a friend out whom was an instructor. Kind of an I scratch yours you scratch mine deal. It was really in his benefit. He teaches, I keep a watchful eye and sometimes guide students on their open water with him. The reasons I chose to were personal. I didn't really gain any new knowledge in the course. Other than the professional side of things. Ultimately, my deciding factor was it would put me in the water more frequently and that is something I thoroughly enjoy.

It will one day open your eyes to the world. What I mean by this is, if you decide to use the cert to work, I.e. On a charter. You will quickly realize how varied the average persons skills are. From those that struggle to set up their gear because they haven't dove since their open water 13 years ago. To people whom don't remember basic skills such as mask clearing or buoyancy. The other end of the spectrum is amazing, you will meet all types of people from a multitude of skill sets and regions of the world. Most of which are a true pleasure to dive with. Just don't let the one or two bad apples you encounter ruin your perception of everyone.

If I were to go back I would do it again. But, everyone has their reasons. You just need to find yours. If it were for discounts only, you can find those with a quick Google search. Most do it because they would one day like to instruct, or attempt to make a career diving.

 

[tursiops]

The current standards are at my.DiveSSI.com.
For Divemaster they are:
"III. ACTIVE STATUS QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the duties performed by an active status Professional Dive Guide, active status Divemasters may:
Act as a certifed assistant for all SSI recreational courses.
Assist during open water training dives by taking no more than two (2) students at a time on excursion dives.
Qualify as a Training Specialist for the SSI Ecology Specialty programs.
Enroll in an SSI Assistant Instructor program."

The Professional Dive guide can:
"XI. ACTIVE STATUS QUALIFICATIONS
Dive Guides may guide certifed divers on recreational scuba dives. Active status Professional Dive Guides may also: Teach,supervise and issue recognition cards for the SSI Snorkeling program.
Qualify for the SSI Divemaster rating after completing the SSI Science of Diving Specialty program."

So the Dive Control Specialist has gone away.
Probably many of your other questions may be answered on the SSI site too!