W
hen I decided to become a
divemaster, I already knew I
wanted to do my training on
a small island in Indonesia.
I’m a cold-water wimp, so it
wasn’t difficult to decide on
clear, 86°F water that teemed with life. It was, however,
difficult to pick one of the island’s nearly 20 dive centers.
I wanted to enjoy my training, not just complete it.
I took the time to talk to people at several dive centers
and ask questions before deciding where to get trained.
This helped me make the right choice, and it might
help you, too.
First I considered which training agency I wanted to
go with. I was happy with my recreational training, and
I chose to continue with the organization I was familiar
with. Next I asked questions by going door to door
interviewing the dive centers. I did this in person, but
many of these questions could have been answered by
phone or email. I asked:
• What is the total cost of the course, including any
fees or charges that aren’t included in the basic
course price?
• What are the boats like? Take a look, and see if they
appear to be well maintained.
• What is the expected time commitment per day?
Being a divemaster trainee is like being an
employee: You’re expected to help out at the dive
center. Get an idea of when you’d be expected to
start and finish each day.
• Will I be assigned a mentor for the duration of
training, or will I be mentored by multiple
instructors? If you have a preference, this question
is important.
• How many divers are in a typical group? It may be
more (or fewer) than you like, so it’s worth asking if
the center has a policy or a cap on the number.
• What makes the dive center unique? At each one I
visited I asked what made it the best dive center on
the island.
• What do you like best about working at this dive
center?
• How much should I expect to spend on gear?
Compare the rental cost to the purchase price. If
you plan to rent or borrow, find out whether you’ll
have consistent access to gear that fits you well.
This might sound superficial, but looks and size
count. My first impression of a dive center influenced
whether I wanted to train there or not. I noted each
center’s appearance, how busy it was and how much I
liked the staff members I met. Rapport with the staff is
particularly important because you’ll be spending a fair
amount of time with them.
At most dive centers I was greeted before I even
entered, but at some I wasn’t even acknowledged; this
initial interaction (or lack thereof ) made a difference.
When asking the staff questions, I watched for signs of
professionalism. I listened for clear answers, familiarity
with the divemaster course and knowledge of dive
center policies. Some of the staff members I talked to
answered my questions easily, others rambled or gave
unclear responses.
Becoming a divemaster is the first step toward a
career in diving. Once you’ve decided where in the
world you want to train, take the time to pick the right
dive center. Visit, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to
rely on your first impression. It’s
your
training, so be
sure to choose the center that suits you best.
AD
GOING PRO
108
|
WINTER 2016
MEMBER
TO MEMBER
By Heather Sinclair
SHARE YOUR STORY
Do you have tips, advice, travel strategies, dive techniques,
lessons learned or other words of wisdom to share with your
fellow divers?
Alert Diver
wants your story! Email it to
M2M@dan.org,or mail it to “Member to Member,” c/o
Alert
Diver
, 6 W. Colony Place, Durham, NC 27705.
STEPHEN FRINK