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T

tedfallat

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great falls, mt
I'm new to diving this year have tried it a couple of times in the past and loved it. I just about have my ow cert and am wanting to get to dive master and instructor. I want to make a career of diving but am not sure the best way to get started and maybe I am too old with not enough expirience. I'm 38 but in good shape and highly motivated. Do you have any suggeestions.
 
after you get your OW cert, ask your LDS if you can sit in on OW classes and pool sessions. If they allow this, pretend your mouth is zipped shut and just observe the instructor and the folks taking the class. If you're sick of this after the 5th class, then you may want to re-think things....

If you're still excited about teaching, ask your instructors about the classes you will need to take, and slowly build up your experience in the meantime.
 
That's good advice thanks...I do have some instructor experience as a lifeguard and water safety instructor. I was an instructor for about 4 years and still would be if the pool I was working at hadn't closed. How much experience do you recommend before looking for a job and what is the best way to locate jobs? I'm land locked here in Montana.
 
To old at 38? I had two more careers after that! I also met an instructor on my recent diving trip that was slightly older than that when he got into it. The flip side is that after regularly going to Kauai I've seen a lot of turn over and burnout there in 12 years. The suggestion of sitting in and trying is absolutely great. Lastly, keep in mind how much work and quite often little pay is involved, and how much it costs to get into the business.

As someone who was involved in training for a bunch of years I would also add the following points:
1) having a good command presence is important - some are naturals, some have to work at it, and some never succeed
2) working with the public isn't always easy and it can be a real drain on you
3) learn how to teach as well - and always ask for feedback
4) always keep learning
5) get the best, most thorough training you can. check out what you will be learning and check out your trainers ahead of time.

If you are in good shape and still turned on then go for it!
 
If you just want to work as a tank monkey in a dive shop, start looking now. I imagine the pay isn't great, but it's probably the best way to make contacts, and is the best way to learn about running a shop. If you want a job as an instructor, you'll have a longer road, as you'll have to have certain qualifications before you begin instructor training. Each agency is different, but they'll all be somewhere around:

AOW
Rescue Diver
50+ logged dives
Current CPR Cert.
Divemaster/Assistant Instructor

You'll have to have all of those under your belt before taking on Dive Instructor.
 
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