callin all DM's

[hoobascooba]

hey guys,

as a DM, along with your love of diving combined with love of teaching, IYOHOBOE do you still have fun?

[Don Wray]

That's an excellent question. Yes, we still have fun, BUT, as a DM when you're working, it is your responsibility to watch out for all your divers, not just yourself and your buddy. When you are watching 6 or so other people who are just learning to dive, it wears on you mentally. I know I'm tired when I get home from open water classes.

During surface intervals, it's not the same as just out diving. You're getting tanks filled, helping divers with their problems, making sure everyone is having a good time, etc. So while others are resting, you're still working.

We still have fun working with students but you must have the desire and patience to spend alot of time in 20 to 30 feet of water, over and over again

[texdiveguy]

Being a DM is a lot of fun and work--lol.

I am 'retired' from DMing on an active bases anymore for the simple reason I wanted to dedicate more time to active sport and technical diving. I still maintain my active DM certf. and insurance.

When I was DMing regularly it was rewarding and educational. I never wanted to be an instructor, but at the time I went through the DM program I felt it a great way to learn additional scuba based knowledge and gain experience, and the perks through my LDS were attractive.

I am happy I did the DM path of study and tenure but also don't regret moving beyond that stage in my diving career to take on new challenges.

[WV Diver]

I like it. I'm somewhat out of the norm though. I deal with students some but mostly I DM for groups of experienced professional folks.

It is two different worlds but I like them both for different reasons.

[Divingguy]

It is a lot of work, and it is "fun" in a different sense from when I go on an 80' dive with my 20 y/o son in Fla, but there is nothing like "being there" to help something "click" for a student. Even if you have already done the same thing for countless other people, it is a "first" for them. It is just neat. Plus, it is the only pay we get.

[coyote]

For the most part. OW pool and checkout dives are a bit of work, but are still fun. I’ve met tons of great people.

[in_cavediver]

When I was active - it was quite a bit of work but really made the local diving interesting and fun. (as fun as quarries can be when your doing your 100th dive a that site). As for the other dives - heck yes I have fun and being a DM has no bearing on that.

I let my DM lapse a few years ago after the shop went out of town but I am currently looking for a close NAUI IT to become an instructor. I have done a lot of 'teaching' via the mentor method to newer divers and its VERY rewarding.

[ScaredSilly]

I have had fun doing it as well. Do not expect to get paid much. Probably the most fun was taking two students on their first ever night dive. It happen to be the weekend before Halloween so I headed out to the old boat. Just as we got there I let them get in front of me and then waited for them to either bolt or spit out their regs. They tried both as soon as they looked in the wheel house. Seems I forgot to mention the life like mannequins floating in there.

[CompuDude]

I enjoy it, but for the most part only work when the mood strikes me, or if a friend is taking some classes, of if the LDS calls and really needs someone. They pay well enough to help defray some of the gear costs I was going to make anyway. It's nothing like "free" diving, however... it's work. Being hyper vigilant to be sure students don't get themselves into trouble, anticipating needs of the instructor, lugging gear around for an entire class, etc., is not exactly the same as a relaxing drift among the pretty fishies. It has it'sown rewards, though.

[cummings66]

That's why I didn't do the DM program when my LDS wanted me to do it, they just want too much time for what I want to do. I'd love to help the people learn to love diving like I do, but I just don't have the time to give as the LDS expects.

So, the next best thing for me was to make sure they know they can send all their newly minted divers my way and I'll take them diving and have fun.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the effort DM's go through for not only students but divers in general.