Gatekeepers to PADI licensure

[mwrichter]

Hello all,

I am 24 y/o active duty Army officer that's big into freediving & spearfishing, but wants to get into Scuba. I am trying to figure out the technicalities of the requirements for the PADI licensures. Ultimately I wish to become Divemaster. It seems like if I bought all my equipment, found a buddy with the proper credentials to train with and learn via self-study, I could avoid all the expensive training at dive schools and slowly work my way through the ranks from PADI Scuba Diver up to PADI Divemaster.

Is this reasonable/DO-able?

Any links to information on this topic would be much appreciated!

-Matt

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

 

[TSandM]

Well, there is no challenge test for PADI certification. If you don't take the class, you don't get the rating. It is quite possible to learn to dive without taking classes from a shop or accredited instructor, but the process will likely be slower and may be outright dangerous, depending on the experience and qualifications of the person with whom you are diving. And in the end, you will be unable to get on a dive boat or dive with a resort operator anywhere, because they will want to see your card.

 

[mwrichter]

Thanks for the reply - that's exactly what I want to know - what constitutes " taking classes from a shop or accredited instructor"?
If I can meet all the requirements of "taking classes from a shop or accredited instructor" then I can obtain licensure without having to go through the expensive courses offered at dive shops.

If your buddy has his Master Instructor Rating is this doable?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

First of all it's not a license for anything.
It's a certification for completion of a course of study.
There are dozens of agencies that issue certifications through instructors affiliated with them.
Some require those instructors to be affiliated with a dive shop. Others do not.
If your buddy is an instructor with current standing and insurance they can conduct the course.
There are minimum standards they must meet with the instruction.
Some are stricter than others.
Not all basic courses are the same.
A good instructor will go far beyond the minimums.

 

[Scubatude]

Thanks for the reply - that's exactly what I want to know - what constitutes " taking classes from a shop or accredited instructor"?
If I can meet all the requirements of "taking classes from a shop or accredited instructor" then I can obtain licensure without having to go through the expensive courses offered at dive shops.

If your buddy has his Master Instructor Rating is this doable?

If your buddy is a Master Instructor, you should be asking him these questions. As TSandM stated above,

there is no challenge test for PADI certification. If you don't take the class, you don't get the rating.

 

[underH2Oman]

If you are taking the training from an active status instructor. He/She can issue you the certifications. If you receive a certification from an independent instructor rather than through a dive store you are still certified. If your goal is work as a divemaster you might find more work if you get your training through a facility (that you want to work at) as it is more likely they would employ persons that they know/taught over candidates coming off the street.

Regardless as to who you take the program from if you receive the certification after taking the training you are good to go. So if your friend wants to teach you for free/ very little (compared to the LDS) that is up to him.

 

[sportxlh]

nwrichter: Some of the nomenclature you've used isn't quite correct so I wonder if your buddy is a 'master diver' which is different from an instructor. He should be able to clarify whether he is an instructor or not. If he's a master diver or dive master, you'll need to find an instructor to get your training and certification. In the scheme of things, an open water scuba course isn't really all that expensive.

 

[TSandM]

If you take instruction from a PADI instructor, and he goes through the required skills and evaluations, you can be certified. It is not necessary to go through a dive shop. There are what is called "independent instructors" who do not necessarily operate through a dive shop. But unless the person with whom you are diving is a certified instructor, and proceeds through the instructional sequence, you cannot be certified. If an instructor does otherwise, he is "out of standards".

 

[mwrichter]

Awesome thanks for the info guys - this site is very helpful and friendly. Sounds like an independent instructor is what I am looking for - any suggestions where to find one other than here on the forums and craigslist - services section haha.


sportxlh please be advised on nomenclature - Professional Association of Diving Instructors

 

[TSandM]

You could try Googling "scuba instruction San Antonio TX" and see what comes up. Independent instructors often have difficulty getting information about themselves out, but some have websites. Shops generally won't send you to them.

I will warn you that you may not end up paying less, though, by going with such an instructor. Often shops can offer lower prices, because they attract bigger classes, and they have economies of scale (especially with pool time). So if minimizing cost is your goal, you might include your local dive shops in your search.