I'm not a diver (other than snorkeling) but I have a good friend who is a very experienced Divemaster and who has lead dives at multiple islands in the Caribbean. He has not been to a Club Med village, but has heard that Divemasters, who presumably do not require any instruction or assistance, do not have to pay for the dive 'packages' at Club Med, only for any equipment rental beyond weight belts and air. I had not heard this before and figured I'd try to confirm this for him. I suspect this may be optional or different at different villages, but I'd be interested in any examples or known facts at specific villages...
Thanks!!

Amateur GO ( Professional GM )
http://www.hammocktree.us/amateurgos.jpg

Hey AmateurGO,

I wish this was true...but alas....is not. I traveled to CM for years, first with Certifications as a Divemaster and then later as an Instructor and always paid for my diving. The costs to the Club are the same regardless of the level of experience that the diver has. Keep in mind also that because of insurances, the visiting dive professional is not "working" for the Club. This is true even if they hold their own professional liability insurance, (which is required to maintain "Teaching Status"). Divemasters do not and cannot "teach", (with small exceptions to confined water beginning experience courses, if separately qualified), without being under the direct supervision of an Instructor. They assist Instructors and can lead groups of Certified Divers and play an important role in boat and class organization.

That being said, it costs the Club quite a bit for the boat leases, fuel costs, fees, etc. to keep the dive operations running, apart from the costs of having rental equipment and the G.O Instructors that staff the operation. FYI, aside from dive computers and wetsuits, all rental equipment needed for diving is included in the cost of the dive packages. I for one, and most other dive professionals, bring all of our own equipment except tanks and weights.

It's interesting to note that while I was a SCUBA G.O, the majority of the issues that we had to deal with concerning safety and rules were with visiting Divemasters and Instructors of all Certification levels. I also have to say some of the safest and most rules conscious divers were also visiting Divemasters and Instructors of all Certification levels. It was a matter of the attitude that they had and the respect, (or lack thereof), of the Club rules and Staff that threw them in one catagory or the other. There was usually no in-between.

Bottom line is that everybody pays....if you want to dive for free...become a G.O.

Dad

Thanks Dad...
I was rather suspicious, which is why I wanted to check. The 'problem' is that my friend was visiting the Turkoise Village on a day pass I had arranged for him and the people at reception (not the dive team) gave him the misleading information.

Thanks!!

AmateurGO

Amateur GO ( Professional GM )
http://www.hammocktree.us/amateurgos.jpg

I take what reception says with a grain of salt. While the people are nice and mean well, I question how well they are trained past the basics of checking in people. I have been there when people ask when are the tennis lessons, etc. and reception does not know and did not have a list of information like that. certainly nowhere near what you would get at an upscale hotel.

Jim

I agree with you on that Jim; however, if there was something that they don't know or have good information about, they could contact the Service and find out for the guest. The last thing they should be doing is giving out inaccurate information or saying "I don't know", without adding "....but I will find out for you", and then doing just that. I have to say though that by and large, the Reception folks are pretty damn good. They have to know everything about everything. It's hard to be perfect.

Dad