Winter2016AlertDiver

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.

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