What do you expect from a DM?

[Groundhog246]

When in the water, I expect a DM to stay out of my way and leave me alone. Pre dive I expect a thorough briefing of the dive we are about to make. When a DM starts trying to show me fish, he stops meeting my expectations. I don't need or want anyone to hold my hand. To me, a good DM is around, but not in the way. almtree: Bob

I could not possibly say it any better than Bob.

 

[Scubaguy62]

This is a spin-off from another interesting thread:

a couple of questions:

1) What do you expect from a DM?

2) What do you *not* expect from a DM?

3) Has a DM ever exceeded your expectations? If so how?

4) Has a DM ever failed to meet your expectations? If so, how?

R..

• Vast knowledge of the dive site, an thorough pre-dive briefing including entry and exit procedures, to point out interesting parts and marine life (not every fish though), to keep an eye on the group, to have a handle on things if the dive turns ugly, to offer assistance only if I needed or ask for it.
  
  
• To do no more than dive along, to not even offer to help with gear, to then expect a tip.
  
  
• Yes. A certain DM in Coz called the dive for everyone when I was a newbie and sucked my tank down in 1/2 the time of the other more experienced divers.
  
  
• Yes. Another certain DM in the same operation in Coz, let me go up alone from a deep dive, when I was a newbie, just because I signaled low on air; I ended up with a runnaway ascent. The same DM offered to take me to 300' the next day.

Rick

 

[String]

This is a spin-off from another interesting thread:

a couple of questions:

1) What do you expect from a DM?

2) What do you *not* expect from a DM?

3) Has a DM ever exceeded your expectations? If so how?

4) Has a DM ever failed to meet your expectations? If so, how?

R..

1) A thorough surface brief on the dive site including profiles, depths, times, separation procedure, boat procedures, what to look for and where on the dive, any potential problems and so on. Under water, just show me the route and point something interesting out.

2) Dont want to be babysat or overly instructed when under the water unless i specifically ask for it. If guiding, dont fin off at 100mph leaving only seconds to look at the dive itself.

3) Yes by specifically arranging a dive id asked for, guiding with just 2 of us so i could see it. All he wanted in return was me to escort a lesser experienced diver later in the afternoon so he could dive with his students.

4) Not really no.

 

[Bob]

Fair enough....he's around.....so what is he doing?

R..

Well... he's keeping a eye on his divers. He's ready to help if needed and he's willing to stay out of the way and let his guys enjoy their dive.almtree: Bob

 

[Displaced Yooper]

1) A good briefing on the dive site. Interesting things to see and where to find them. Point out any know hazards on the site. Keep track on number of divers in and out of the water (don't want to leave anybody behind). It really dosen't even matter to me if the DM gets in the water or not.

2) I do not want a DM "checking" my gages during a dive (I saw this happen on a trip to Cayman Brac). If the DM is diving with us, fine, just no hand holding / babysitting.

3) I have had many DM's exceed expectations (the best I can think of is the DM politely listening to a couple of divers whinning about poor vis, the site did not have a specific critter they wanted to see and one of their tank "O" rings had a leak. The DM was a lot more patient than I would have been).

4) No

 

[pitah]

Very important is to dive with a dm who is really enjoying the dive.
For me these guys are the best buddys, dm is just another diver, who can share his previous experience on the place but is not trying to teach you anything.

 

[archman]

2) I do not want a DM "checking" my gages during a dive (I saw this happen on a trip to Cayman Brac). If the DM is diving with us, fine, just no hand holding / babysitting.

I almost always do this with my groups, and do not see a problem. I don't GRAB the gauges, but ask the diver to tell me his air state. Even seasoned divers can forget about their air, especially in new surroundings.
Basically if I don't know the life support status of my divers, I feel I am being unsafe and not fulfilling my standard of care responsibilities. And never yet have I had a diver run out of air. I prefer to keep it that way.

 

[Brian Gilpin]

When I first started diving I did almost all warm water resort dives. A good DM would do the following

Carry and assemble gear
Carry extra weight which I would probably need
Lead the pack
Show me everything
Calm me down
Conduct the 3 min safety stop
pull gear on board
etc
I really did not need a briefing as I just went with the pack.


Today I do mostly California diving and a good DM is someone who will see tanks get good refills and help me get back on the boat if needed. Good briefings are a must because you and buddy are on your own. Oh yeah, good restaurant reviews are a must if out of town

Best DM ever is Rafael in Loreto. If you have been there you probably know him. Lets you set your own pace but looks out for newbies. Hangs out after the dives. Great Guy.

 

[oleras]

• Vast knowledge of the dive site, an thorough pre-dive briefing including entry and exit procedures, to point out interesting parts and marine life (not every fish though), to keep an eye on the group, to have a handle on things if the dive turns ugly, to offer assistance only if I needed or ask for it.
  
  
• To do no more than dive along, to not even offer to help with gear, to then expect a tip.
  
  
• Yes. A certain DM in Coz called the dive for everyone when I was a newbie and sucked my tank down in 1/2 the time of the other more experienced divers.
  
  
• Yes. Another certain DM in the same operation in Coz, let me go up alone from a deep dive, when I was a newbie, just because I signaled low on air; I ended up with a runnaway ascent. The same DM offered to take me to 300' the next day.

Rick

" The same DM offered to take me to 300' the next day" ?? what did he want to do at 300' ?? was it an altitude dive of 300'?
:06:

 

[HammerNoMore]

• Yes. A certain DM in Coz called the dive for everyone when I was a newbie and sucked my tank down in 1/2 the time of the other more experienced divers.

Which operator is this? I want to make sure I never use them.

• Yes. Another certain DM in the same operation in Coz, let me go up alone from a deep dive, when I was a newbie, just because I signaled low on air; I ended up with a runnaway ascent.

You were a newbie? Can I assume you exceeded 60' as you called this a deep dive? Did you make the decision to exceed the recomendations of your certifying agency or did this DM drag you to the bottom? Did you as a trained certified diver, make sure you had a buddy on the dive and what was expeced from that buddy? When you left your class did you feel comfortable making an ascent? If not did you discuss this with your instructor?

Sorry, but I'm having trouble understanding why this was the fault of the DM?