Becoming an open water SCUBA instructor

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ling

ling

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Hi all i'm planing to become a certified open water diving instructor but i would just like to get some feedback on what the market is like for female instructors and what i can actually go on to do other then teach.Any comments is greatly appreciated.
 
Hi Ling-

I have been an OW Instrcutor for 9 years now, and I have worked in both resort settings (Guam) and as a staff instructor for a shop here in the states. I have found my gendert o be no limitation whatsoever, and I know a number of other female instuctors who teach both for shops and independantly. In fact, I have found that in some cases it has been a benfit- as I have a number of students who specifically requested a female instructor. Good luck with your ITC, and please feel free to bounce any other (or more specific) questions my way either on the list or privately.
:)
 
I requested a woman to be my OW instructor. I did my book work in Chicago and my OW in Cozumel. I was happy to get her.

I also asked for a woman when I bought my car. I try on purpose, to give business to women, as I'm sure other women do too.

P.S. I have a woman dentist too... it was hard to find her, but I did.
 
As a PADI Instructor since 1994 (and an IDC Staff Instructor since '95) I find the best advice I can give an Instructor regardless of gender is to keep learning.

Not only will you be in more demand if you have more skills, but it will also keep you from getting burnt out: it can be VERY stunting teaching the SAME courses over and over again.

For example, I had a female student specifically request me as an Instructor for her Open Water. At the same time we were running an Advanced Course, where the one of the students was doing U/W Naturalist & U/W Photo for 2 of their 3 electives. What do you think the next course was that Open Water student took after she became certified? U/W Photo; from ME of course! Now she is really into taking pictures and improving her u/w photo skills.

So, don't limit yourself to simply being an "open water instructor". Explore your potential by expanding your horizons AND your marketability.
 
There are some interesting things about teaching scuba locally that you will find out, eventually.

If you have great people skills, you will become a great teacher. Teaching people to scuba is all about being sensitive to their moods and reactions. Some students take more patience than others. If you have a lot of patience, then you will be a good teacher. There is also a lot of value to being able to make the classes fun. If you can keep a sense of humor going, then students will like you.

Some students will require extra patience because of their attitudes. Often they think that since they plopped down their fee, they deserve to run your class for you. You may find these types to be particularly infuriating and unappreciative of anything that you do. Watch out, and do not be surprised, because they are out there.

Other students will take to the water and to the scuba naturally and be a pleasure to instruct. Those are the kind of students that you live for. They make it all fun for you as the instructor.

If you can find a good local scuba store, one with good walk-in business that needs instructors, you will then have lots of teaching opportunities. Beware of stores that advertise their instructor courses but that do not do enough teaching to give you a class or two every couple of months.

Once you get an open water class, it will be up to you to promote them through advanced open water, CPR & first aid, rescue, nitrox, and so on. You have to become a good instructor to keep the students coming back for more instruction. A lot will depend on the store you select.

Besides scuba stores, there are YMCAs that also have scuba programs. Look into these opportunities as well. However, YMCAs will not give you international opportunities, like SSI or PADI would.

Don't get discouraged when you make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, that is how we each learn. Try hard to be safety minded, and no one should get hurt. Most of the mistakes you will make are probably related more to people skills than anything else.

There is no difference between a good female instructor and a good male instructor. Professionalism, humor, and making the classes fun while being safety minded is what counts.

Good luck.
 
Thanks forf all the advice.I'm really looking forward to doing this course and i will keep ya all updated on my progress.!!!!!
 
I do know that I would LOVE to have a woman teaching or assisting in the same shop that I work out of. I think we would get more business and as a result, a lot more divers taking our trips.

Others have given you wonderful advice that I could only hope to amplify but there are some common threads running through it that bear emphasis.

Specifically, NEVER stop learning! Always try and get new and different perspectives (this forum is outstanding for that) and NEVER let some guy with more testostrone than brains try and intimidate you.

Hone diplomatic skills. Instead of telling someone that they are wrong, try "That's interesting, but if you try it this way, you may find it easier." When they make a mistake, simply smile and say "Let's try that one again".

Finally, I would say that your number one consideration should be to the students. If you are leading them on a boat dive, don't let the captian or guides shove you around. If they want your continued business, then you have to be happy with them. Let them know this. You should act as a buffer between the boat staff and your students. You are the instructor - not them! Don't let them correct your charges without your prior permission. If they do, call the offender aside (away from your students) and advise them that this is unacceptable behavior. They may be giving them bad or incomplete information that you don't agree with. If you stop them early in the game, then you'll have smooth sailing in the future with the same operation.

As someone else stated earlier, you can always e-mail any instructor in here for advice and I recommend you get a number of opinions before deciding upon a course of action.

Congratulations and I sincerely hope you have as much fun as I have had.
 
Thank you all so much for your valuable advice.I am very excited and really looking forward to a new chapter in my life.I will keep you all posted!!!!!:) This forum has been a god sent and the people here are really nice and encouraging.
 
very sought after

Julie
 
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