Join the angels of the sea

Something happened to me during 1997 that changed my life forever. I learnt to do something that I could turn to for the rest of my life, knowing that it would bring me the greatest relaxation and sense of freedom I could probably ever expect to experience. It sounds like a wonder drug, and in some sense it is... So, what is it? Well it's scuba diving of course!!



During 2003, I decided to quit the rat race and pursue a career in scuba diving. It was one of the most worthwhile ventures of my life to date, and so within this blog I'd like to share the knowledge I have already accumulated so that you too can experience the meditational beauty of scuba diving - and what's more - get paid for it too... My life scuba diving - has by no means come to end, and so as my knowledge of working within this field grows - so it will be shared with you...

Scuba diving offers all of us the opportunity to travel around the world, experiencing different cultures, enjoying the beauty of the underwater world, and receiving some income too. The level of income you receive depends on the route that you take - and there are of course advantages and disadvantges related to each route.

Working as a PADI divemaster is your first step into earning an income from diving.
As a divemaster you basically act as an underwater tour guide for people that are already qualified to dive. You may also support instructors when they are training.

Now I would generally recommend that you spend some time working as a divemaster before you become an instructor, whilst the training will provide you with all of the knowledge you need, there is no replacement for experience and time under the water. But aside from this, there are a number of benefits to working just as a divemaster and not as an instructor.

1. As a divemaster you are not really responsible for the people that you are leading around a dive site. Sure you will need to act responsibly and look out for your guests, but as qualified divers they really should be able to look after themselves to some extent. Your job as a divemaster will be to show them all the wonderful critters on a dive site, and lead them around the site ensuring their safe return to the boat.

2. As you are taking already qualified divers fun diving, you will usually be taking your guests to the best dive sites within your locality. This means that you also get to see all the best of the underwater world. Once you start working as an instructor, you may well end up at the worst sites fairly regularly, and instead of focussing on what there is to see out there - you will be focussing on doing practical expercises in the sand with your students.

3. As a qualified divemaster you will be able to earn a small income, and if you live your life very carefully - it may well sustain you. It really depends where abouts in the world you are as to whether you can work, and what your potential earnings will be. More posts coming later will explore the different countries and what the reality of working as a divemaster is, but certainly in Thailand and Malaysia - you may well just be able to make ends meet. I know people who manage to do it. It is very tight, and you would be wise to have some financial back up. For that reason, I would suggest that it is a temporary career, or even a means to scuba diving and travelling in a far more economic way, than actually paying to dive. Indeed there is no greater buzz than leading 4 cool, qualified divers around a dive site, and enjoying the dances of the angels of the sea - Manta Rays. It is an amazing buzz in itself, and when you remember that someone is actually paying you to do it as well - well - that is just awesome and in fact quite surreal...

4. Another benefit to spending some time working as a divemaster, is the number of transferable skills you will develop. There are key skills that you will need to develop such as leading a group of people, presenting the dive plan to your group, and generally ensuring that they have a great time from beginning to end, whilst maintaining their safety and confidence in your ability and knowledge... These skills will stand you in good stead for whatever future career you may move into, whilst simultaneiously doing wonders for your confidence and self esteem.

5. The majority of the people you will be leading will be on a holiday, or an extended travelling trip - this means that in some cases (depending on locality), they will be wanting to party in the evenings. The social aspect that comes with working in the dive industry is ideal for those of you that love to party. If you prefer a quieter, perhaps more mature social scene - then just be more selective in the area you choose you to dive, and the dive operation you work for... There is a place and a dive operation for the greates partiers - to the quietest introverts - just do your homework first...

That concludes my brief introduction to working as a divemaster. There is a lot more information to consider, and I also have recommendations on where you can train and work. These will all come over time - but in the meantime if you have any questions please feel free to comment below. Equally - if you have any personal experiences of working as a divemaster - please also contribute here...

Check out the PADI website www.padi.com - for more information on the PADI diving career ladder....

Job Opportunities Abroad

Ok – so we’ve had a look at why we would want to leave England (see link to the right for "The Top 10 Reasons to Leave England" if you’re new to this site). We will be revisiting this subject and hearing from people around the world that have made the great escape. For now though let’s assume we’ve made the decision and we’ve decided we want to quit the rat race. We’re done with the Hamster Wheel of Life. We’re finished with the idea and concept of HAVING to live for our work – just so that we can live. But how on earth do we break free? What will we do to earn cash to feed ourselves and put a roof over our head? How will we remain financially secure?

There are a number of questions we may need to ask ourselves here to break free from the brain washed concepts we already unknowingly live by, but for now – let’s just explore the opportunities available to people for working abroad.

There are many opportunities available for work all around the world, but first I’m going to let you in to a secret!

Quietly around the world, a revolution is occurring… New breeds of “people” are building communities. Their communities are dynamic and international – but interestingly are also very moveable, of no fixed abode! The individuals are intelligent, and they work fewer hours than many of us here in England – and for greater benefits. Their name – “The New Nomads”, or “The Modern Day Nomads”.

So, how do we become one of these Nomads, and what does it involve exactly?

Well – it’s actually amazingly simple, and could provide the answer to the majority of people that want to Escape England and live and work abroad. Do you have a job where you work on the computer? If so, do you also really need to have any physical contact with anyone in order to perform your job? Could your job be performed just as easily from a computer in Thailand for example? The truth is, with the technology available to us today, not only is it feasible for us to work from home, but it is also feasible for us to work from abroad.

Many large corporations have outsourced work to India, simply because it is so cheap there. But imagine if they could outsource work to another country and still have the work performed by an English person! Imagine you’re that English person. You could feasibly charge less than the English rate for working, but still charge enough money to provide you with a much better lifestyle in a country which has a lower economy - and oh - a country that hopefully doesn't have the majority of those top 10 reasons!

The great thing is - that you don't actually need to stay in one place - full stop! So, if you're anything like me, and you struggle to decide exactly where to place yourself on a permanent basis (eek - just that word permanent freaks me out!)... You don't need to decide - you can just keep moving - BUT you can take your job with you!

There are already a number of resources available on the internet to facilitate just this situation. Here is a list of the types of the jobs available:

1. Writing
2. Web Design
3. Photography
4. Blogging
5. Graphic Design
6. Financial Analysis
7. Administration (typing letters etc)
8. Anything that doesn’t require your physical presence!!!

So – invest in a LAPTOP and if you’re not already trained in a mobile profession – get learning!

HAVE LAPTOP WILL TRAVEL!!!!!!!

For more information and inspiration – check out some of these websites and books:

www.nunomad.com
www.nomad4ever.com
www.gofreelance.com
www.elance.com
www.guru.com

Setting up a Dive Shop In Indonesia

Throughout my travels I've met a number of people of who have been successful in hopping off the hamster wheel of western life. What is it like? Is the grass greener on the other side? The following posts explore the lives of those who have made the great leap..

Last year Paul (my fella) and I decided to leap off the wheel at that time of year when it is picking up the greatest momentum... Christmas... Christmas was the ideal time for us to take a break from our businesses, and so we considered carefully what to do with this precious free time we had created. We really didn't want to be rushing from one activity to the other, or one place to another. All we really wanted to do was to sit in a hammock, or jump into the greatest chill out zone on Earth - the Ocean. After searching the web and asking friends for recommendations we were pointed in the direction of two fish divers.

Two Fish Divers is small friendly dive resort on Bunaken Island in Indonesia which is run by an English couple - Nigel & Tina. Tina & Nigel have been extremely successful in their great escape. The dive resort is well established with a large number of returning guests. The accommodation is attractive, comfortable and clean but most importantly each wooden hut comes with a hammock - standard! The atmosphere is down to earth and laid back, and the diving!!!???!!! Well - the diving is AWESOME! For more information on diving in Bunaken and Lembeh, and on the resort itself, check out their website: www.twofishdivers.com or their blog www.twofishblog.wordpress.com

It would take an entire book to discuss the marine life and the culture on Bunaken and Lembeh in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Maybe we'll return to that at some point in the future. The main focus at the moment however is Tina & Nigel and their Great Escape.

What were their main reasons for wanting to leave England and live and work abroad?

Do any of those problems exist in Indonesia?

What do they like most about living and working in Indonesia?

What are the main problems they experience with the Indonesian Culture?

How do these problems compare with the reasons they wanted to leave England and live and work abroad?

What do they miss about the UK?

How did they reach a point where they were able and willing to set up a dive shop in Indonesia?

How much hard work has it taken?

Do they feel it is worth it, and what advice would they give to anyone wanting to do something similar?

I'll be putting these questions to them, and hopefully they will share their wisdom and enlightenment with us soon. We may need to wait a while as they are currently probably in labour with their first child - so they may be somewhat distracted. Also internet connection on Bunaken can sometimes be less than perfect. We wait with baited breath...to hear their views, and the news of their first born!!!!