Divemaster - what can I do?

[Kirstie]

Turbanator and I are giving serious thought to going abroad for six months (possibly longer) in Sept/Oct 2006

The favourite location at the moment seems to be the Florida Keys, where Paul probably wouldn't have too many problems getting work as an instructor. I have two questions.

Firstly, Paul is a BSAC instructor. We assume that he would stand a better chance of getting a job (temporary or otherwise) if he converted to PADI. Is this the case?

Secondly, at the moment I'm an AOW with 34 dives to my name. I expect to do a lot more dives this summer and intend taking my RD later this year. Realistically, the highest level I could reach before we go is Divemaster (I have no intention of rushing through training for the sake of getting to instructor level). What sort of work could I get with this qualification? Or, am I better off doing my damndest to get to instructor level in the next 15 months?

Thank you!

[Brian of Aquanauts]

The only non British country where I thought BSAC was prevalent is Japan, if you were headed over there I say don't bother with PADI.

However as you're going to Florida then I would guess PADI and NAUI would be the way to go.

WOW a whole 6 months! Go for it guys, you'll have so much fun!

[Kirstie]

Hello Brian!

Paul's been talking about converting to PADI anyway, so we'll be in to see you sometime about arranging some courses!

[Andy M]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

Firstly, Paul is a BSAC instructor. We assume that he would stand a better chance of getting a job (temporary or otherwise) if he converted to PADI. Is this the case?

Hi Kirstie, the only BSAC dive place i know of in the Florida Keys is Amy Slates Amoray dive centre on Key Largo. Theres a BSAC branch there too.

I personally wouldnt bother with the Florida Keys, the diving sucks IMO. If I was taking six months to go diving I'd go to Indonesia (Sulawesi or the eastern islands) or Papua. The diving there is the Dogs Bollocks (tm)

Andy

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Andy M

Hi Kirstie, the only BSAC dive place i know of in the Florida Keys is Amy Slates Amoray dive centre on Key Largo. Theres a BSAC branch there too.

I personally wouldnt bother with the Florida Keys, the diving sucks IMO. If I was taking six months to go diving I'd go to Indonesia (Sulawesi or the eastern islands) or Papua. The diving there is the Dogs Bollocks (tm)

Andy

Thanks for that - to be honest, neither of us really have much idea what the diving is like there (that would have been one of the many things we'd research before deciding where we finally go!) The reason why we had half-decided on the Keys is that Paul's been there a few times (before we met) and liked it (don't think he's dived there) and it's somewhere I've always fancied visiting. Plus, we thought we'd get in a visit to Cuba while we were out that way.

What's the diving like around Cuba, or Jamaica/Bahamas?

Perhaps we'll revise our plans....

[John N]

Hi Kirstie,

I think that PADI is definitely the way to go if you want to work abroad.

I would also look elsewhere - Florida is relatively expensive compared to a lot of places and I've heard the diving isn't that great.
Indonesia is a good suggestion although you will need to make sure you find a good dive centre.
Egypt is also a good place to work, but places like Sharm are usually awash with Instructors looking for work.

I know a lot of people will suggest you take your courses over here, but I would also look at taking the Instructor course and maybe even part or all the DM course while you are abroad.
The reason is that local knowledge counts for a lot when dive centre's are employing you. Particularly as a DM where you will be mainly guiding dives and so you need to know the local sites well.

You may be able to find a centre who will guarantee to employ you if you do your course with them.

The other thing to do is check the diving season wherever you decide to go.
Normally you have a much better chance of finding work if you arrive a couple of months before the season starts. The timing of your time away may affect your choice of location.

Whatever you decide, have a great time. It will be hard work, but great fun.

[Andy M]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

Plus, we thought we'd get in a visit to Cuba while we were out that way.

You'll have trouble getting to Cuba from Florida, unless you take a boat, in the middle of the night! You would need to fly via the Bahamas or somewhere like that.

What's the diving like around Cuba, or Jamaica/Bahamas?

Cant speak for Jamaica/Bahamas, but the diving on the western tip of Cuba is excellent, because it faces the cayman trench. You get drop offs, sharks and all sorts. Very good diving. Rest of Cuba is good, but not as good as the western tip. You'll need to be able to speak Spanish i would have thought, to get work there.

My vote would be Indonesia. Its the hot up and coming dive destination. Thats where the work is, at the places that are starting to get recognised. The diving is stupendous. PNG on a par with this too, have to watch out for the cannibals though Any of the old tired destinations are awash with instructors.

Andy

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Andy M

You'll have trouble getting to Cuba from Florida, unless you take a boat, in the middle of the night! You would need to fly via the Bahamas or somewhere like that.



Cant speak for Jamaica/Bahamas, but the diving on the western tip of Cuba is excellent, because it faces the cayman trench. You get drop offs, sharks and all sorts. Very good diving. Rest of Cuba is good, but not as good as the western tip. You'll need to be able to speak Spanish i would have thought, to get work there.

My vote would be Indonesia. Its the hot up and coming dive destination. Thats where the work is, at the places that are starting to get recognised. The diving is stupendous. PNG on a par with this too, have to watch out for the cannibals though Any of the old tired destinations are awash with instructors.

Andy

Yes, we'd already realised that it would be an indirect flight from Cuba to the USA! Going via the Bahamas, though - what a hardship! I speak some Spanish (did A level a long time ago), but Paul doesn't, so perhaps it's not a great idea to try to get work there.

Indonesia might be a good one to consider, from what you and other people have told us. I think we're going to have to do a lot of research on this. The idea is to save enough money so that we don't have to work while we're travelling, but to have diving to fall back on if the money starts to run out. Plus, I've got a TEFL qualification which might come in handy.

John, what you said about training abroad is a good idea - I had it in my head that I'd need to be qualified before we went, but it makes sense that they'd want to train dive guides on the reefs they'd be working. Am I right in thinking that DM is the minimum qualification I'd need to be a guide?

[Kirstie]

Ok, following on from my other queries, are there any books/websites we should be looking at in preparation (ie best dive sites to work at/tips on living cheaply etc)?

[rooster]

Hey Kirstie

If the Bahamas becomes an option PM me. I was there in 1998 but may still have some relevant information in my logbook.

If the Caribbean appeals you could also think about Utila, Honduras. It is one of the cheapest places in the world to live and dive and (in my opinion!) one of the better dive spots in the Caribbean. I have some good friends there who could provide plenty of info if you need it. It is a small place to spend 6 months though!

As a general point, you could consider doing your DM when you get to wherever you are going. It will probably work out cheaper relative to the UK and in most cases will give you access to 'free' diving outside the course. In my experience I have found that DM's trained by the school generally get first dibs on any jobs going as well.

I did my DM in the UK though and people nearly always comment on that in a positive light when they see my DM status.

From his posts turbanator sounds very experienced so apologies if this is teaching grandma to suck eggs but if I can provide any additional info then please let me know.