Andy did answer it very well. At minimum mask, fins, bc, reg,materials, and exposure suit for the conditions. I would hesitate to take instruction from a guy who is scrounging for basic gear.
What equipment do you have to own as an Instructor?
- Thread starter Dharker
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OP
Right, ok, I think I missed this simple one.
I understand what you are saying about instructors scrounging for gear, I'm not sure you'd know though, if their kit was sorted before hand.
I think I want to take as much of my own stuff as I can realistically carry - but I thought PADI had a set amount of gear that it was compulsory to have?
OP
Also - a BCD - really? They are massive, I really can't see divers travelling around with those? Or fins for that matter - perhaps getting those when people get their and selling them on before they move on maybe.
As far as I can tell, there is no PADI requirement to own any gear as an instructor or a DM. You must, however, have
I don't get the "struggling with gear" that people have said. You go to the shop, look through the gear before you meet the student, put your kit together, try it out and make sure everything works and fits. Hey, even with my own gear, I've had instances where I've had to fiddle with stuff (a hose leaking, no dry suit hose OR a dry suit hose but with a wetsuit, strap breaking, etc.). You fix the gear and go on.
Assuming you would be working for a PADI shop, if the shop provided all the materials, you'd need nothing (except perhaps your own logbook -- not positive on that).
I don't get the "struggling with gear" that people have said. You go to the shop, look through the gear before you meet the student, put your kit together, try it out and make sure everything works and fits. Hey, even with my own gear, I've had instances where I've had to fiddle with stuff (a hose leaking, no dry suit hose OR a dry suit hose but with a wetsuit, strap breaking, etc.). You fix the gear and go on.
PADI indicates the following as must haves for a DM or AI:
Some things are obviously supplied by the shop. I have never seen a shop that expects staff to bring their own cylinders or weights. My shop provides a float and flag. Everything else is my own.
Having a copy of the standards would be prudent. You probably want to carry your cert cards as well. If the shop has Internet access they can look you up but I'd bring my cards anyways.
There are also additional items if you are going to be involved in certain adventure dives and specialties. For example, Night Adventure Dive would require lights (primary and backup) or Wreck Specialty would require a reel.
- Fins, mask and snorkel
- Compressed gas cylinder and valve
- Buoyancy control device (BCD) with tank mount or separate backpack, and low pressure inflator
- Primary regulator and alternate air source
- Breathing gas monitoring device (e.g. submersible pressure gauge)
- Depth monitoring device
- Quick release weight system and weights (if necessary for neutral buoyancy, or if required for skills practice)
- Adequate exposure protection appropriate for local dive conditions.
- Dive computer or RDP (eRDPML or Table)
- Time monitoring device
- Compass
- Knife/divers tool. Exception: Where prohibited locally.
- Two surface signaling devices one audible (whistle, air horn, etc.) and one visible (inflatable surface tube, flare, signal mirror, etc.)
- Dive flag where required locally
- Instructions for use for dive computer or RDP/eRDPML
Some things are obviously supplied by the shop. I have never seen a shop that expects staff to bring their own cylinders or weights. My shop provides a float and flag. Everything else is my own.
Having a copy of the standards would be prudent. You probably want to carry your cert cards as well. If the shop has Internet access they can look you up but I'd bring my cards anyways.
There are also additional items if you are going to be involved in certain adventure dives and specialties. For example, Night Adventure Dive would require lights (primary and backup) or Wreck Specialty would require a reel.
Everything varies from place to place.
I own a lot of gear myself, more than I like to think about when I think of the expense, and more than I have room to store comfortably in my home.
However, I could give it all away today and still teach my class this weekend.
When we do pool work, I never use my own gear (other than my mask). Why should I put wear and tear on it when I can pull the same gear off the rack that the students are using? Why should I get my stuff all wet and have to deal with lugging it back and forth and drying it out at home, particularly in the winter, when I can just hang the shop gear up in the shop and walk away? I generally do use my own gear for the OW dives, but I don't have to. I could use all shop gear if I wanted to.
Some require you to use the brand they sell, and even the specific model they really want students to buy. In doing so, they should either provide that gear for you or sell it to you at their cost. In that case, once again, any gear that you own is superfluous.
Other shops have other requirements. I imagine that if you can imagine a scenario, it exists somewhere.
I own a lot of gear myself, more than I like to think about when I think of the expense, and more than I have room to store comfortably in my home.
However, I could give it all away today and still teach my class this weekend.
When we do pool work, I never use my own gear (other than my mask). Why should I put wear and tear on it when I can pull the same gear off the rack that the students are using? Why should I get my stuff all wet and have to deal with lugging it back and forth and drying it out at home, particularly in the winter, when I can just hang the shop gear up in the shop and walk away? I generally do use my own gear for the OW dives, but I don't have to. I could use all shop gear if I wanted to.
Some require you to use the brand they sell, and even the specific model they really want students to buy. In doing so, they should either provide that gear for you or sell it to you at their cost. In that case, once again, any gear that you own is superfluous.
Other shops have other requirements. I imagine that if you can imagine a scenario, it exists somewhere.
One thing to consider is not so much the equipment but the overall plan, which I gather is to show up somewhere and get a job as a DM or an instructor.
If that is the plan, you might find that a bit problematic. I don't think there are many places that are in need of DMs/instructors to the point that they will generally hire someone on that basis.
OP
I agree with you entirely on this, as it stands the plan is to dive in Guatemala, Nicaragua and then Honduras, getting lots of experience, taking the DM and instructors course and getting to know lots of new people, dive shops etc - going to spend at least 6 months doing this and hope to have enough money saved so that I have time to get as much experience as I need while looking for a job.
The planning is a work in progress as not leaving until the end of April 2011.
Cheers
Other than the DM/Instructor and getting my Spanish up to a fluent level are there any other skills that you think are worth learning to add to an instructors CV?
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