Best path to dive instructor status?

[sytech]

I have multiple Certifications and would like to continue my goal of becoming an Independent Dive Instructor.

I am 63 years of age and in good shape and think that my accrued wisdom and experience with people would be a plus in this endeavor.

I may be moving to an area which has lots of scuba diving and think this could be an enjoyable career change as well as a way to enhance my income somewhat.

I have spoken to several Instructors (over 55) who seemed to have gotten their "Instructor" status by traveling to say Belize and very rapidly (too rapidly in my opinion) obtaining their Emergency Rescue, DiveMaster and Instructor titles in a few weeks.

I am not interested in getting my training that way and was wondering if anyone can give me some pointers in this regard.

Any comments will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sy

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Well, I'm just four years younger than you, and have been an independent NAUI instructor since 2004. I can only relate what worked for me.

First off, if you're contemplating independent status, I think NAUI is a good choice because they truly do support their independent instructors. Some agencies require you to work for a shop. Some allow you to be an independent instructor, but don't provide you the support services they do to the shops. So investigate agency. Keep in mind that employment opportunities will vary from location to location depending on the agency, however. My area happens to have a very strong NAUI community.

Then ... take the requisite classes to become a DM. With NAUI, if you've gone through the typical OW/AOW/Rescue classes, you can get into the DM program ... Master Diver is actually the diving skills part of the DM program so it can be integrated into your DM training.

Once you've completed DM, I'll give you the advice I was given ... which worked well ... take a year and work with as many instructors as you can. Each will have their own "tricks" of the trade. But working with a cross-section of instructors also helps you develop a sense of what being in a leadership position means from the perspective of student demands, and dealing with some of the spectacularly unexpected things a new diver will do underwater. If possible, work with instructors from other agencies. Many are happy for the help, even if they cannot count you against their student-staff ratios.

Work on your skills ... demonstrations should be smooth, and you should be able to explain clearly what you are doing, how you are doing it, and why you are doing it.

If a student asks a question and you either cannot answer it or are unsure of what you believe the answer to be, don't perpetuate myths ... do some homework and find out. Credibility is a fragile thing, and once broken it's damn near impossible to repair.

Be yourself ... take notes from everyone in the business you can, but don't try to "be" that instructor you admire ... it usually comes across as somewhat fake.

If it starts to feel like work, take a break ... go dive for fun and rediscover why you wanted to do this in the first place. Dive instruction can be a wearing way to earn a living, and most instructors burn out after a few years.

Best of luck on the endeavor ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[scubamarketing]

The one other thing I would suggest along with the great advice already given is to create a business plan. Make one now based on what you think you know about the business, but feel free to revise as you progress through your courses. I've seen too many people expect students to just arrive suddenly as soon as they become an instructor. The real world isn't quite like that though. I've seen plenty of successful independent instructors, but they've all had some kind of plan.

 

[openmindOW]

I have multiple Certifications and would like to continue my goal of becoming an Independent Dive Instructor.

Are you a Divemaster?

To where might you be moving?

Are you Rescue certified yet?

What kind of teaching would you like to do? Recreational?

I have spoken to several Instructors (over 55) who seemed to have gotten their "Instructor" status by traveling to say Belize and very rapidly (too rapidly in my opinion) obtaining their Emergency Rescue, DiveMaster and Instructor titles in a few weeks.

I am not interested in getting my training that way and was wondering if anyone can give me some pointers in this regard.

STICK WITH HIGH-QUALITY.
Sy, THANK YOU. It is terrific to hear that you are interested in pursuing high-quality Instructor development. Please don't waiver from that. Be wary of Instructor factories.

AGENCIES
I agree with NWgrateful regarding NAUI. I'm not a NAUI Instructor, but it does seem to me that NAUI supports Independent Instructors well.

You could also consider PADI. I'm a PADI Instructor; PADI allows Independent Instructors but some may complain that PADI is not very supportive of them. That's a whole other topic.

There are other agencies out there that you might want to consider: SEI, PSIA (very supportive of Independents, I hear), etc. Instructors with those agencies can provide comments.

I would urge you to be cautious about SSI if you want to be Independent. My understanding is that SSI does not permit Independents, but I could be mistaken. I'm open to hearing from those who know more about SSI.

DIVEMASTER

I agree with NWgrateful. If you're not a DM yet, get DM certified first.

I'd be happy to recommend training this Summer off-line if you like. There are good Instructors in your area. It depends on what you need to do. Feel free to PM me.

Welcome to the profession.

 

[openmindOW]

. . . as well as a way to enhance my income somewhat

Sy, my friend, I don't know about that. That depends on a lot of factors, such as location.

My advice is that one should not go into SCUBA teaching for money. Others on SB may have opinions on this.

 

[TSandM]

Around here, it's hard to make any substantial amount of money teaching. A few thousand dollars in the course of a year, but given the cost of living here, that's really just enough to buy a few more dive toys . . .

I heartily agree with the advice to become a DM and do that for a while, to see if you actually LIKE teaching open water classes. I have to say that, even though I love to teach and have taught most everything I've ever learned to do, teaching OW in Puget Sound is one of the most stressful things I've ever done -- yes, worse than emergency room work!

 

[stdiver]

Just this winter, we had a student in our DM class that was doing just that, a gentleman in his 60s. An advanced diver, decided to take the PADI DM class, go through the internships, then help out with classes. After that he was going to evaluate whether he wanted to continue on the AI and full-instructor path.

 

[sytech]

Hi,

I just finished with my SSI "Stress & Rescue" course taken at Conch Republic Divers in Tavernier, Fl..
My instructor Jasen was superb in all respects, knowledge demeanor etc..

My next step is Divemaster and as was explained to me, if I get PADI Cert. for this and Instructor then I can be "independent" and not tied to a particular Dive Center, whereas other Certification agencies (SSI, NAUI etc) require that one be affiliated with a particular Dive Center. Was also wanting to get clarification if getting "Divemaster" Cert. (from any agency) requires working on a boat or can be gotten through Academic or other means? I'm not at the age where I want to lug scuba tanks all over the place.

I would like to teach basic or AOW students because I think i'd be good at it, would enjoy it and could make a few bucks too.

Any feedback will be appreciated.

Sy

 

[sytech]

Thanks Bob for your great insight and advice.


Sy

 

[diveprof]

I have multiple Certifications and would like to continue my goal of becoming an Independent Dive Instructor.

I am 63 years of age and in good shape and think that my accrued wisdom and experience with people would be a plus in this endeavor.

I may be moving to an area which has lots of scuba diving and think this could be an enjoyable career change as well as a way to enhance my income somewhat.

I have spoken to several Instructors (over 55) who seemed to have gotten their "Instructor" status by traveling to say Belize and very rapidly (too rapidly in my opinion) obtaining their Emergency Rescue, DiveMaster and Instructor titles in a few weeks.

I am not interested in getting my training that way and was wondering if anyone can give me some pointers in this regard.

Any comments will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sy

The best path to becoming a dive instructor - The first two things that come to mind are 1. a mental health consult is in order and 2. taking a vow of poverty.

Seriously, dive instruction can be a rewarding (though not so much financially) experience. A shake and bake instructor is not the way to go. You need to develop your own competence and comfort before sharing with others. I encourage dive masters to work several - many classes to learn the ropes the right way.