Question How to look out for "Good" instructor?

[HappyNoots]

[TLDR] How do you determine a "good" instructor/DiveCenter before even diving with them?

With my new found passion into scuba diving and being a nerd on logical structured training, reading articles and occasionally indulge in diving-horror newbie experienced,
I often find people recommending/saying "DC don't matter, good Instructor does", "find good Instructor", so and so.

My virgin dive trip + OWD Course was eye-opening. I was lucky to meet a patient, no BS kind of instructor who doesn't rush or fault you for being slow (or that sort, you get my idea). He was also observant when he realized our trim was off during our OWD course, made adjustments accordingly to the situation.
He shares aplenty when you ask him about his dive experience and I find myself asking people about their "origin story" or what got them into diving. The best part is there is nothing short of passion and definitely not enough time for all the stories to share.

My second trip made me obsessed with diving and the community. It was less transactional and more home-y. My Dive Guide went through the refresher in details and threw in some tips in between dives. Less Lesson, more interactions, and also very observant. He frequently check back on us and ensure we are okay. And the best part during our 'tour', we chance upon a green sea turtle entangled with nylon string, so bad that it cut into it's front flippers. We sneaked up and managed to snip it off after a lot of effort.

Now I'm planning for my 3rd dive trip hoping to get my AOWD to go deeper and improve on my buoyancy, and I wish to explore a little and go to a different country to encounter more sea creatures and do some conservation dives. I searched up on most diving sites and most of the reviews are mostly good and great.

I guess what I'm really trying to ask is
How do you determine a good Dive Center / Instructor, What do you look out for when searching for a DC/instructor?

 

[happy-diver]

Considering it is you, and your capabilities that pass the course, would you rather a good instructor that
teaches in a dark quarry or another good instructor somewhere warm with beautiful fish and shipwrecks

 

[Feye]

Before making a decision, have an in-depth discussion with the instructor.

In my experience, a good instructor is patient with trainees and passionate about diving. Even if I ask a silly question, a good instructor provides a detailed and informative answer while always smiling. When I ask about the training plan, he/she also provides detailed instructions and related criteria.

 

[wlecyt40]

The instructors my wife and I have experienced have been very patient and show a love of diving. It has rubbed off on me. I recently got my AI through PADI and when someone asked about diving or equipment or latest trip, I am so happy to talk about it. My wife loves to tell people about it. We always make sure people that ask know we love this sport!

 

[HappyNoots]

Considering it is you, and your capabilities that pass the course, would you rather a good instructor that
teaches in a dark quarry or another good instructor somewhere warm with beautiful fish and shipwrecks

It's a matter of perspectives I suppose? Learning in a dark quarry may teach aspects that better suits the environment. Maybe being cautious of sharp edges and low ceiling, all the while going through the essentials of the course. While learning the same with a better view.

Before making a decision, have an in-depth discussion with the instructor.

In my experience, a good instructor is patient with trainees and passionate about diving. Even if I ask a silly question, a good instructor provides a detailed and informative answer while always smiling. When I ask about the training plan, he/she also provides detailed instructions and related criteria.

I have been fortunate and very thankful for instructors as you mentioned. Those instructors are a gem.

An issue I tend to face is not knowing what to ask. And the times I do know what to ask, I end up feeling bad for asking too many questions and feel obligated to dive with them because of it.

The instructors my wife and I have experienced have been very patient and show a love of diving. It has rubbed off on me. I recently got my AI through PADI and when someone asked about diving or equipment or latest trip, I am so happy to talk about it. My wife loves to tell people about it. We always make sure people that ask know we love this sport!

Grats on PADI AI! It's awesome to find someone as passionate to talk about. I suppose patience and details are easily the top considerations for most people.

 

[waxrash]

[TLDR] How do you determine a "good" instructor/DiveCenter before even diving with them?

With my new found passion into scuba diving and being a nerd on logical structured training, reading articles and occasionally indulge in diving-horror newbie experienced,
I often find people recommending/saying "DC don't matter, good Instructor does", "find good Instructor", so and so.

My virgin dive trip + OWD Course was eye-opening. I was lucky to meet a patient, no BS kind of instructor who doesn't rush or fault you for being slow (or that sort, you get my idea). He was also observant when he realized our trim was off during our OWD course, made adjustments accordingly to the situation.
He shares aplenty when you ask him about his dive experience and I find myself asking people about their "origin story" or what got them into diving. The best part is there is nothing short of passion and definitely not enough time for all the stories to share.

My second trip made me obsessed with diving and the community. It was less transactional and more home-y. My Dive Guide went through the refresher in details and threw in some tips in between dives. Less Lesson, more interactions, and also very observant. He frequently check back on us and ensure we are okay. And the best part during our 'tour', we chance upon a green sea turtle entangled with nylon string, so bad that it cut into it's front flippers. We sneaked up and managed to snip it off after a lot of effort.

Now I'm planning for my 3rd dive trip hoping to get my AOWD to go deeper and improve on my buoyancy, and I wish to explore a little and go to a different country to encounter more sea creatures and do some conservation dives. I searched up on most diving sites and most of the reviews are mostly good and great.

I guess what I'm really trying to ask is
How do you determine a good Dive Center / Instructor, What do you look out for when searching for a DC/instructor?

I would use techniques as you would for other providers.

1) personal recommendations
2) how long have they been doing this, how many divers certified?
3) do you guarantee my cert (money back) if it’s not for me?

Then ask some questions?

How much? How many sessions?

If they focus on you with questions about your goals and objectives and comfort level then probably pretty good.

If they focus on cost or god forbid equipment or charter sales, probably not. If they talk about themselves and the latest bad ass cool thing they did, run away.

Good instructors (most are) do what they do to impact your life in a positive way, they want to share their passion with you.

Just my opinion.

 

[Cara_NC]

I look for someone who LOVES diving. When you talk to them, it shouldn't stop at just the basic answers to your questions. If they're not going to really get into sharing information and wanting to help you when you're there to ask questions, they're not going to when you're in the water either. And voice any concerns you have, no matter how small. See how they react. If they dismiss your concerns, or if they really listen to you. I'm fairly new to diving and have only done my OWD so far, but have found these guidelines to be the case both with my OWD and every other sport I've been involved in!

By the way, if you're looking for recs at all, Francisco with Salty Endeavors in Cozumel is absolutely amazing. He was our guide for one of my days diving down there this spring, and he's my favorite dive guide I've ever had. It was literally just fun dives and yet he spent soooo much time helping, teaching, confidence building, with everyone on the boat. Just a true teacher who loves what he does. I'm considering flying down just to do a few specialty classes with him next spring.

 

[ginti]

Disagree with most people here. You are looking for three things:
1 - the instructor must be a highly capable diver (to set an example for you)
2 - the instructor must be highly capable of teaching (obvious, right?)
3 - the instructor's personality should fit yours (you want to have a course with a person you like)

You need to research around these three points, with a clear strategy for each of them.

The question here is: how many insiders do you know that could help you? Your strategy will change A LOT depending on this factor.

Another crucial factor is where you want to take the course: can you travel? Sea/lakes/quarries/mix is the same for you?

 

[happy-diver]

It's a matter of perspectives I suppose? Learning in a dark quarry may teach aspects that better suits the environment. Maybe being cautious of sharp edges and low ceiling, all the while going through the essentials of the course. While learning the same with a better view.

How about I throw in complimentary post dive massages and 5 hat evening meals

 

[HappyNoots]

How about I throw in complimentary post dive massages and 5 hat evening meals

I get your point(or maybe I'm missing it), that if they're providing such incentives, it's alluring, but that is besides the point. As the capacity of learning is subjective to individual, a 'good' instructor enhances the experience and makes it.

Referral/word of mouth by someone trained by that instructor and reviews of the business the instructor works for- but even then you gotta be skeptical because like all online review sites there's always gonna be some or a lot of fake ones.

I agree! I was recommended by a friend of mine to a GUE instructor with a whole list of certification and 40 years under his belt. I would not think twice to reach him if budget wasn't a concern.