I may be in a somewhat unique position to be a scuba instructor...

[LoneWolf]

I am curious of what my fellow divers think of this idea. I am in the US Army but I am no longer assigned to traditional units. I am a military attache and I always work at US Embassies. Every two to three years I move to another country. If I were to become an instructor I could offer courses to the English speaking diplomatic community in which I work (Brits, Canadians, Aussies...not JUST Americans.) People tend to feel more comfortable learning in their native language, even if they are fluent in the host country language as well. While diplomats are far from wealthy they do tend to have discretionary income . While it is possible I could make a small profit from this, my goal is to introduce people to SCUBA, build tighter bonds in the diplomatic community, and of course pay for my SCUBA trips I think I am in a unique position as I don't think I would have much competition. After all, how many English speaking scuba instructors are there in places like Kenya, Vietnam, Colombia or some of the other places I could end up being stationed? What do you guys think of the idea?

 

[IndigoBlue]

I am curious of what my fellow divers think of this idea. I am in the US Army but I am no longer assigned to traditional units. I am a military attache and I always work at US Embassies. Every two to three years I move to another country. If I were to become an instructor I could offer courses to the English speaking diplomatic community in which I work (Brits, Canadians, Aussies...not JUST Americans.) People tend to feel more comfortable learning in their native language, even if they are fluent in the host country language as well. While diplomats are far from wealthy they do tend to have discretionary income . While it is possible I could make a small profit from this, my goal is to introduce people to SCUBA, build tighter bonds in the diplomatic community, and of course pay for my SCUBA trips I think I am in a unique position as I don't think I would have much competition. After all, how many English speaking scuba instructors are there in places like Kenya, Vietnam, Colombia or some of the other places I could end up being stationed? What do you guys think of the idea?

I had a friend who was in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret and scuba instructor for them. If you could ask around, and find somebody like that, he would be your best bet for a great instructor. That might get you to the D/M level. You would need to go throug an ITC to become instructor certified.

The U.S. Air Force also has a scuba rescue program.

Needless to say, the U.S. Navy has many, many scuba instructors, and in your embassy duties, you may find someone like that as well.

And less known, the U.S. Marines also have scuba instructors as a part of the Force Reconaissance operations.

I think those would be your best bets in terms of your embassy situation. Embassy duty in the military is usually viewed as a reward for outstanding performance in duty over your career. You might meet some diving instructors in similar situations.

Once you become an instructor, you will find that many people who meet you in your daily life will be interested in scuba instruction. That is because scuba is something that a lot of people have always been thinking about. And when they meet someone in person who teaches it, it somehow gives them an added assurance about that person as an instructor.

I teach scuba almost exclusively for the intangible benefit of introducing new people to scuba. It also keeps my basic skills sharp. And I enjoy the satisfaction of watching people progress to become excellent divers. I doubt that the financial end of it will be of much benefit to you, unless you open a scuba store in a prime location, with lots of foot traffic or visibility from the street.

 

[rmediver2002]

I think it sounds like a great idea, might be tough to find a supporting shop at the location though...

We (US Army Engineer Divers) used to teach an MWR SCUBA certification course through YMCA in Egypt but it has since been outsourced.


Go for it!!

Jeff Lane

 

[nwdiver2]

A friend who was a cultural attaché at the Australian embassy in Chile was the resident English speaking SUCBA instructor. He did OK and got access to pools etc for a good price mostly free. He ran monthly classes and didn’t get rich but had great equipment and made 2-3 trip a year to the Caribbean for free.

Go for it you should do OK. Watch the insurance issues in each country as they are different.

 

[H2Andy]

i think it's a great idea, but rmediver is right. you are going to need gear and air
for your students, so you will have to figure out a way to do that.

 

[rmediver2002]

i think it's a great idea, but rmediver is right. you are going to need gear and air
for your students, so you will have to figure out a way to do that.

You know it may be possible to tap into the MWR funds or comparable federal recreational funding for civilians stationed overseas having them back equipment needs for your training? Just an idea worth looking into...

Jeff Lane

 

[LoneWolf]

First, unless I am stationed near a good diving location chances are I will limit my instruction to the classroom and pool portions. I would then give the students a referral so they could complete their open water check out on their vacation. I would only need sufficient equipment for them to use in the pool. I really don't want to get into equipment selling side of the business. Keep in mind I am wanting to do this small time. I would probably limit myself to one class a month and keep the class size to around 5 or so. I should always have a pool available to be but air is another story. What do you all think about owning my own small compressor. If it was only powerful enough to reach 1000 psi that should be sufficient for just pool work. Any other ideas?

 

[rmediver2002]

First, unless I am stationed near a good diving location chances are I will limit my instruction to the classroom and pool portions. I would then give the students a referral so they could complete their open water check out on their vacation. I would only need sufficient equipment for them to use in the pool. I really don't want to get into equipment selling side of the business. Keep in mind I am wanting to do this small time. I would probably limit myself to one class a month and keep the class size to around 5 or so. I should always have a pool available to be but air is another story. What do you all think about owning my own small compressor. If it was only powerful enough to reach 1000 psi that should be sufficient for just pool work. Any other ideas?

Hey LoneWolf,

Even if you could find one only rated to 1000 psi it would not present a cost savings.

Small intermitent duty (insufficient cooling, have to take frequent brakes to allow compressor to cool) units are going to run you between 3500 and 4000 for a bit more you could get a continuous duty compressor.

Kind of a big investment to do on your own though.

As far as equipment, the pool is the hardest on gear. the chemicals tear it up pretty quick. (we are in three times a week and get about two years out of BC)

Shipping is going to be another problem...

Good thinking outside the box though, don't let any of this discourage you at all. I still think you have a good idea!

Jeff Lane

It would be worth checking DRMO and seeing if you could get a surplus unit (the Army teams just switched to new 5.1 CFM units about two years ago so there are plenty of good diesel units around) but you will have to find a way to get it assigned to a unit your attached to or try and purchase one at a surplus sale.