I’ve been doing my divemaster course in Malta, gaining experience working with DSDs, Try Dives, courses and guiding students and I’ve found it to be an absolute game changer in terms of my diving skills.

I find only doing recreational dives you eventually hit a learning plateau where you know enough to look after yourself but not much else.

During DM I’ve learnt how to manage not only my buoyancy but that of multiple others at the same time. I’ve learnt how to think about guiding, route planning, navigation, dive planning.

I know how to solve diving problems in others which i believe is really important even in recreational diving if you have a buddy.

I’ve gained so much confidence because usually in recreational you are just looking out for yourself, and following the dive guide. Now i am guiding and also looking out for others. Since doing my DM i finally felt confident enough to start solo diving too - and yes i know everyone is going to tell me that’s not recommended, but as an underwater photographer i love it!

It’s also made me appreciate all the hard work and organisation that is required into efficiently running a dive shop.

So I would say even if i don’t pursue instructor (i will) it’s made me so much of a better diver that it’s totally worth it!