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vidiotic. · 12-05-2008, 02:48 PM

When I did my DM I didn't feel like a Kit Bitch, infact I quite enjoyed it getting the kit ready for groups of students as I got to interact with them before the course started. I also didn't mind not getting paid as I got as much diving as I wanted for free (always a plus). Yeah there is no glamour in the job apart from those of us that where lucky enough to work in exotic locations around the world, earning just enough to keep a beer in our hand and a roof over our heads, while getting a nice tan. Never wet nursed divers either, helped a few out along the way and gave some adivce but a the end of the day I am a DM and not an instructor so I have to keep within PADI stds plus they are meant to be qualified before going out with a dive leader. True had a few issues along the way but in general I have always enjoyed leading people round dive sites. I also want to progess up the PADI ladder and become at least an AI or perhaps take that big step up to Instructor and hopefully see out the last of my years living as a dive bum on some paradise like island. Money ain't the big issue here its the quality of life you can have if you get lucky.

I do, however, have issue with people that go from zero to hero meaning those that do their OW then in 6 months time they are an OWSI with barely enough dives.

Dougalsdad01 · 12-05-2008, 02:59 PM

I'm a DM, I'm happy being a DM, I don't want to progress further. As a DM I get more opportunities to dive, I don't have the responsibility of being in the classroom every Wednesday and at Stoney or Crappers a whole weekend. If someone dies on the course the buck stops with the instructor. I get a few perks but I'm still out of pocket. I use the students to keep my skills honed.

PoseidonPete · 12-05-2008, 03:31 PM

Dougalsdad01 Wrote:If someone dies on the course the buck stops with the instructor.

Morbid thought, hopefully it's not a common occurrence?

I remember years ago when taking my OW that the instructor was telling us of a 'large guy' who took the course after ticking all the no's on the medical form, jumped into Stoney and died, turns out he had had a tripple heart bypass and the sudden cold had cause a heart attack?

Dougalsdad01 · 12-05-2008, 03:35 PM

PoseidonPete Wrote:
Dougalsdad01 Wrote:If someone dies on the course the buck stops with the instructor.

Morbid thought, hopefully it's not a common occurrence?

I remember years ago when taking my OW that the instructor was telling us of a 'large guy' who took the course after ticking all the no's on the medical form, jumped into Stoney and died, turns out he had had a tripple heart bypass and the sudden cold had cause a heart attack?

Sorry, did I say 'if', I meant to say 'when another'.

PoseidonPete · (This post was last modified: 12-05-2008 03:45 PM by PoseidonPete.)

Dougalsdad01 Wrote:
PoseidonPete Wrote:
Dougalsdad01 Wrote:If someone dies on the course the buck stops with the instructor.

Morbid thought, hopefully it's not a common occurrence?

I remember years ago when taking my OW that the instructor was telling us of a 'large guy' who took the course after ticking all the no's on the medical form, jumped into Stoney and died, turns out he had had a tripple heart bypass and the sudden cold had cause a heart attack?

Sorry, did I say 'if', I meant to say 'when another'.

Even worse Sad

sira · 12-05-2008, 05:43 PM

I enjoy working as a DM on the whole and learned a lot on the course and still am learning, the main bit for me is helping students overcome problems from this I gain a massive buzz and feel that I might have done my little bit to help them. I do agree with the rushing thing but it also goes for Rescue diver IMHO I did both rescue and DM when I felt ready and for no other reason. Both Rainey and myself had over 150 dives each by the time we qualified and not just diving in quarries diving all over the UK which I also think is important, do I want to go any further I am not sure but I might do my OWSI at the end of the year but once qualified still work as a DM just not sure yet.

***Stix*** · 12-05-2008, 06:56 PM

sira Wrote:............ but once qualified still work as a DM just not sure yet.

I agree with that - you wont find me "solo" until I feel I am ready and able to be the kind of OWSI / OWI I think I should be... I'm doing this all for fun and my enjoyment, something I aim to pass on to others. It'll be team teaching to start with and hobby teaching eventually, FOC, as fortunatley the main job keeps the wolf from the door and me in air-fills.

Hopefully that doesnt sound too "holier than thou"? not meant to, just how I feel about it all.

rick · 12-05-2008, 09:47 PM

I started diving a little over three and a half years ago and did the rescue course two years ago... just started my DM now (so I didn't really feel as though I was rushing it, personally)... and I intend to spend the next six months (or whatever it takes) to complete the course to the best standards possible.
For me it was the next logical step - I don't really have ideas of making a living from diving, and it didn't have anything to do with another badge (I could just get the "Master Scuba Diver" thingy if I wanted that - I have enough specs etc.) ... it was more about enjoying the learning process and trying to really polish skills etc. in the company of instructors and students.

I guess, as I say, I like learning stuff... diving is a passtime where you can always learn new skills/techniques/etc. ... so I thought 'just go for it'.
I wouldnt personally go for one of the 'OW to DM in a month' courses (which probably exist somewhere)... and maybe some people would say that 3.5 years after OW is a little bit soon... I don't know... but as I say, personally it didn't seem like I rushed into it, just the next logical progression.

Tom · 12-05-2008, 10:44 PM

My question is this,Why must you complete a DM course to enjoy diving???????

I dont think you need to do the DM course to enjoy diving, but as I and many have stated its a choice we make, for whatever reason to start down the DM path, in terms of rushing it, well how long do you think one should wait ? weeks, months, years or should it go on dives ? inland, sea , depth etc, I dont see any problem with wanting to improve ones self, yeh agree 100 % about very short intensive courses, no no, Im on month 4 of my DM, and learning all the time, as far as im concerned yes its nice to get the exams and tasks over etc, but its the skills and knowledge that have I have to polish up to a very high standard that have improved me, I suppose it can be said about rushing other elements of diving, tech stuff etc ? anyway just my opinion, which means bugger all anyway.

Steppenwolf · 13-05-2008, 06:09 AM

Tommo Wrote:My question is this,Why must you complete a DM course to enjoy diving???????

I dont think you need to do the DM course to enjoy diving, but as I and many have stated its a choice we make, I dont see any problem with wanting to improve ones self.

I think that is fair enough and just about sums it all up. IMO, someone like me who only wants to do recreational diving and mostly on holiday would be happy with AOW and maybe Deep & Nitrox to increase the options. I am sure that I am able to enjoy the sort of diving that I choose to do to the maximum with the qualifications that I have and see no advantage in working for DM. But others might feel that they need to progress further to achieve the goals that they initially set out to - which in turn would translate as "enjoyment" if they did achieve them. That would not be "rushing" up the ladder and to that extent, it would be fair to say that each to his or her own.