dive master

[Tom A]

im 51 yrs old live in kansas thinking about getting my dive masters what are the pro's an con's on this subject. thanks Tom

[ScubaToys Larry]

It's a bunch of work... a bunch of learning... and a bunch of fun. Being able to help share the fun and excitement of diving... I don't think there is a Con!

[somewhereinla]

dive master means you are going pro. The con is you will need to get liability insurance which you would get threw the agency you get your cert. from. It's about $350 a year. The pro is that you'll be able to work as a divemaster for next to no money : )

[mm_dm]

Do you want to become a Instructor? Also, what agency format will you be looking to certify DM in?

[datamunk]

yea i wouold think that going DM would only be worth it should you be wanting to work in a dive shop, a boat, or get your instructors later on down the line.. i mean dont get me wrong, its a lot of great knowledge to have but, overkill if you just wanna do ur own thing.

my recommendation: do it. im glad i did

[RoadRacer1978]

I have been wondering the same thing. I have my reasons for wanting to become an instructor, and not the tons of money that will follow. I have been wondering what the pros and cons were as well.
Do most lds' allow divemasters and instructors that they trained to work at their shop and teach on some type of a part time basis, or help with classes and get discounts on gear or free air fills? I haven't talked to my lds yet about this, because I am still about 1 year out from getting into divemaster, still need rescue first.
Any divemasters and instructors, fell free to let me know what benefits there may be, like I said, not gonna do it for the money, but a few perks would be nice.

[BoomerNJ]

My instructor told me today that you don't become a DM or an instructor for the money at all 'cause there is very little of it. As Larry mentioned above you do it for the fun of sharing diving with new people & my instructor did mention the perks as well, i.e. buying gear at cost & free fills etc...

[Tom A]

thanks for the info will start my rescue this spring an then DM

[comet24]

I did it because I find it enjoyable and a great way to relax and get away from my real job. I don't get paid anything and money is not a reason to do it. In the winter I do about one weekend a month at the pool with a class. In the summer I go to the lake as much as I can with classes which is once or twice a month May though Sept. I enjoy helping the students and being able to get more diving in then I did in the past. The main reason to do it is to help the students and your really need to enjoy interacting with them or your not going to enjoy it.

When I started about 8 months ago I had no desirer to be an instructor. In a past life I was a lifeguard and instuctor and just didn't want to teach anymore. Now the more and more I am thinking it would be something I would like to do. But for now I going to just do the DM thing. Just don't have the time right now to go the instructor route. That damm real job again.

[Scubastud16]

I'm thinking about going down both roads. I can hardly afford to do diving in college, so the $350 a year in dues/insurance isn't really a reality, but I'll get it one day soon!