74 replies to this topic

[WileEDiver]

Why do you want your DM?

That'd be the first question I'd be asking....

Why is that?

He's not asking if we think he should become a DM (as I believe someone else did a few weeks back or was that on sb.com?). He asked a specific question on scoring times for swims. Asked, answered, and lots of encouragement given. Nice! But why the need to cross-examine him on why he wants to pursue this path?

[WreckWench]

Questions are fair on the site...especially ones that make you think. However I'd kindly ask that they not be asked to start a lengthy discussion that turns into a debate or pissing match. Such discussions detract from the friendly, respectful and fun attitude on the site and therefore are discouraged.

It is often difficult to keep strong emotions in check...however that is exactly what is required on SD.com. Please also attempt to do something we rarely do at SD and that is stay focused on the topic at hand. You are welcome to start a different thread to discuss a different topic.

Thank you all for your consideration towards each other and towards SD. -ww

[Walter]

For anyone considering becoming a DM, it's a great question, but it seems to me Hawk is beyond that point.

[ScubaHawk]

Fear not! I encourage all questions. However most personal questions - such as "Why" I decided to do something etc . . . are usually brushed off with a flippant remark - or a "none of your damn business" depending on the quester and the type of question. That being said. I have an arrangement that makes it advantageous for me to become a DM and maybe eventually an instructor. And mainly because I WANT TO!

As for the American part - that, actually, presents a few new challenges. I am studying everything in Imperial - but will be preforming all my tasks and taking all tests in metric.

[Cold_H2O]

Fear not! I encourage all questions. However most personal questions - such as "Why" I decided to do something etc . . . are usually brushed off with a flippant remark - or a "none of your damn business" depending on the quester and the type of question. That being said. I have an arrangement that makes it advantageous for me to become a DM and maybe eventually an instructor. And mainly because I WANT TO!

Thats right Hawk... Because I want to is answer enough..
Dont explain just do...

[jextract]

Fear not! I encourage all questions. However most personal questions - such as "Why" I decided to do something etc . . . are usually brushed off with a flippant remark - or a "none of your damn business" depending on the quester and the type of question. That being said. I have an arrangement that makes it advantageous for me to become a DM and maybe eventually an instructor. And mainly because I WANT TO!

As for the American part - that, actually, presents a few new challenges. I am studying everything in Imperial - but will be preforming all my tasks and taking all tests in metric.

I definitely found that doing your problems in metric makes them easier. Good luck!

[ScubaHawk]

That's the path I'm taking. I am converting every thing to metric. That's a lot easier than going to Asia and trying to convert everything to Imperial.

[Walter]

Thats right Hawk... Because I want to is answer enough..
Dont explain just do...

While no one here owes anyone else here an explanation on their motives to take a DM class, they do owe it to themselves to examine those motives. All too often people take a DM class for the wrong reasons. What are the wrong reasons? The wrong reasons are when you are expecting something from the class that it isn't designed to provide. The DM class isn't designed to make you a better diver, it's designed to teach you to lead groups of divers, to be in charge. I believe in the case of PADI, it's also designed to teach you to assist in classes.

[Dive_Girl]

That's the path I'm taking. I am converting every thing to metric. That's a lot easier than going to Asia and trying to convert everything to Imperial.

I did the same thing. I studied in Metric and took my exams in Metric. My IE was in Canada too - my American buddies thought I was nuts, until I showed them you could do so many problems in Metic that you wouldhave needed a calculator for in Imperial. I introduce both methods when teaching my Divemaster Candidates.

[WillDiveForBeer]

Thats right Hawk... Because I want to is answer enough..
Dont explain just do...

While no one here owes anyone else here an explanation on their motives to take a DM class, they do owe it to themselves to examine those motives. All too often people take a DM class for the wrong reasons. What are the wrong reasons? The wrong reasons are when you are expecting something from the class that it isn't designed to provide. The DM class isn't designed to make you a better diver, it's designed to teach you to lead groups of divers, to be in charge. I believe in the case of PADI, it's also designed to teach you to assist in classes.

That's why I want to become a DM. I want to be able to do tours and eventually become an Instructor. For me, I need to get dives under my belt and when doing dives, I want a goal to shoot for as well, so I can increase my certification.

[outback]

I've done most of my diving up until recently in metric, having learnt to dive in the Middle East. Now I come to Houston and find myself in an all-imperial DM class. Converting from imperial to metric is easy - the calculations are way simpler. Converting from simple to imperial was a mess.

I just did my IANTD deep air and advanced EANx classes. All in imperial. Calculator definitely required. I still find myself thinking in metric to do the calculation, then have to convert back.

Mind you, my Canadian buddies have the worst problem - they're taught in metric, but most of the equipment they buy is from the US, so guages etc all show feet.....

[Genesis]

Well, that's why I asked.

If your path is towards being an instructor, then the DM is necessary.

Far too many people, however, seem to get wound up in the "DM" thing as a status deal. Then they find out the good, bad and ugly.

Anyway, that was the purpose of the question - not to take a shot, but rather to find out why you found this path intriguing..... sounds good to me!

[peterbj7]

I teach nitrox in particular in metric to all students, and if necessary teach the conversion imperial-metric on top. Students are sometimes in awe when they're struggling with a calculator and I give them the answer out of my head. Regretfully I have to admit that it's not because I'm brilliant, but because I've learned one or two tricks-of-the-trade, and working in metric is one of them.

I always ask "why?" when someone says they want to become a DM/Instructor. As Walter touches on, so many people think it's a logical progression in becoming a better diver. It isn't. The route to that lies in technical training.

[jextract]

Far too many people, however, seem to get wound up in the "DM" thing as a status deal. Then they find out the good, bad and ugly.

Hmmm... I've been doing the DM thing for a little while. When do I get to the good and the bad?

[Cold_H2O]

Hmmm... I've been doing the DM thing for a little while. When do I get to the good and the bad?

I want my DM because I always end up being the leader of things anyway... I have helped with numerous classes and for me it is/was the next logical step..
Teacher, Leader.... stuff I do every day in the other parts of my life
GO Hawk....