DM questions

[jimny14]

Hi all, sorry for the many and varied questions. I'm thinking about doing the DM qualification at some point in the not too distant future (hopefully). I'd like to have the DM so I can with luck help out in diver training etc. I am wondering about the pros and cons of doing it while working full time (monday to friday) (is this gonna be really weekend intensive?) Or maybe I should do it full time as in quit work n do it, but am thinking about income doing it that way, obviously need money to keep house n car running etc. If i'm gonna do that maybe I should go abroard to do it, but still gonna need money for the house etc so not sure how that could work. Also once I have my DM how easy is it to get part time work as a DM especially if I move house etc leaving the area. Sorry for a thousand and one questions but they've been running through my head so thought i'd ask. Thanks for all your help. James

[Rod]

Paid part time DM work in the UK is almost unheard of.

I always pay my DM's but I am one of the few that do.

You can forget paying the mortgage or running a car on the wages.

[buchhawk]

Don't even think about it.

Work all week dive for yourself, thats my motto.
But always be there to help .
Ken

[Daz217]

What he said...... but if you really want the cert you can do it over a 2 week course in loads of places Red Sea,Malta etc etc.
Realistically a DM is at the bottom of a long food chain. If you are young with no ties and responsibilities go for it, shit wages but living and working in somewhere like the Red Sea got to be great, however mortgage kids loans etc etc ummm dream about it

[Scubee]

If you want to help out wth training, then great, go and do your DM course. In the UK, if any training is conducted in a commercial environment, whether or not anyone is actually getting paid, the instructor has to have a safety diver. DM's ae able to perform that function as well as helping out ith some of the skills, and taking student divers on the underwater tour portion of training dives.

I wouldn't bother doing it abroad - you will get the cert, but if you squish it intoa 2 week holiday, you won't get the experience which will help you to help the students & instructor. In short, if you want to be a DM, do it quick. If you want to be a good DM, do it as an internship over a period of time as long as you like. When i did mine, I took 9 months. Taking that long meant that I could still dive for me. If you plan on doing any DM work (which is usually unpaid, but you often get some expenses) in the UK, then do your DM here.

[B]

Well I slightly disagree... I am all for the internship which is done over a period of months/weeks here in UK working for a dive school...

no.. you do not get paid
yes... it is shitty work at times

but... have I regretted doing mine like that?? Not in a million years... you have to learn to be at the bottom before you can be at the top. You need to learn the logistics of a dive school and if you have excellent instructors you will develop well... is there hard work?? Oh yes there is but if I can do it surely so can you...

Abroad... well that is fine... do a 10 days or whatever it takes and then you are a DM - however what do you know about the running of a dive school and the planning of training, training students etc etc... not a lot in 10 days I bet.. but there you go, that is my opinion...

As for afterwards... sadly most dm's do it for love, cheap gear, free air etc.. I have never gotten paid and to be honest, never expected to either... I love the job so much and now being an instructor I am happy with the strong foundation I built my career...

Pm me if you have any questions... and good luck, it is a wonderful qualification..

B x

[Daz217]

Sounds like the internship is the way to go then. I think jimny was hoping to take it up as a paid career which unfortunatley does not sound very viable at least not in the UK and at best pocket money abroad.
What a great life though if you could just up and go.

[JamesW]

It will start costing you HSE Medical, if you are lucky you might get your boat fees paid ect.
Thanks

[jimny14]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I was just thinking about it and didn't know if I would be able to quit work to do it as an internship or do it while I am working. Seems like you've answered that question. I'd be absolutely more than happy to do DMing for cheaper fills bit of boat fees etc, thats what I was expecting really but was just wondering if the collective YD brain knew something else. I was thinking about becoming a DM cos when I was doing my OW the DM who helped me was excellent and really helpful. Now I want to help other people get in to diving and love it as much as I do. Also I want an excuse to do more diving and think the DM training could improve my skills as a diver anyway. If anyone else has anything to add i'd love to hear your comments, experiences etc.

Cheers James

[JamesW]

When I done my DM it took me 7 months.
Thanks