Best way to become a professional diver

[DevonDiver]

Count on dropping approx US$4000 on certifications and materials on your road to 'instructor'. Diving equipment is cheap in comparsion. Then factor in accomodation and living costs while doing the training.

I think those figures are realistic.

I've heard a number of statistics bounced around (none that the agency/s are keen to promote). One of those was that Instructor Retention was in the order of 5-10% within 2 years. So, given that (allegedly) ~95% of PADI instructors blow off the industry within 24 months, it's a huge financial investment to make for very little return.

$4000 would buy you an awful lot of quality fun diving over a 2 year period....