question for any ssi dive cons or padi asst instr

[rick00001967]

i understand that during training these would typically be a "non paid" position. but once you reach your goal of either dive control specialist or assistant instructor, do you expect to be paid for your services ??

i am not sure about padi but with ssi the dive cons can teach classes and do pool work (just not emergency drills). they can also do refreshers, scuba intros, and snorkel classes. as well as guide cert divers on tours.

just curious how it works in different locations.

thx any info you don't mind sharing
rick

 

[flots am]

i understand that during training these would typically be a "non paid" position. but once you reach your goal of either dive control specialist or assistant instructor, do you expect to be paid for your services ??

I'm in the NE US, and have never know anybody who was paid anything significant.

Compensation usually involves free air fills, maybe an equipment discount, maybe a boat ride.

If you're looking for money, you'll do better per-hour with nearly any other job you can find.

flots.

 

[kmurray719]

I am in the midst of my DCS course, and yes, when I finish I will get paid for teaching pool sessions (OW, try scuba, refreshers) and any specialties I teach. Not tons of money, but it will be a paycheck. As a dive guide (DM) I get paid for leading shore dives (quite decent money if enough people show up) , and get free boat trips for DMing on those. I also get free air fills, equipment discounts, my insurance is paid for me, free equipment service, plus some other benefits.

 

[cephasiii]

I'm a PADI MSDT, so I can only talk on the side of PADI. As an AI you can teach certain courses and assist instructors. The course you can teach are peek performance buoyancy, coral reef conservation, Project AWARE, and Digital photo and O2 provider if you go through a course director to get certified.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[decompression]

It depends on you and it depends on the shop, if you choose to work with/for one. PADI side, as a "pro" you are independent and can charge as you wish (DM and AI). If you choose to associate yourself with a LDS then they may and usually have a policy in place which can range from free air to paid arrangements for your services. It is common for DM, AI and even new OWSI to have to intern for free until they are considered competent by the LDS (policies here can differ greatly). Sometimes you get a used fin strap as a bonus!

 

[herman]

My LDS (PADI) is out of the normal as far as I can tell but our DMs are considered part of the training staff and treated as such. PADI DM's can teach some limited courses like Discover Scuba or Scuba reviews and at our shop we (the DMs) get first shot at all the classes we can teach independently and are paid at the same rate as the instructors for that class. When assisting with classes - our shop policy is 5 or more students and the instructor gets a paid DM/AI - we get a small amount per student plus expenses like quarry entry fees. If you are looking to make a lot of money in diving, esp as a DM/CD you are better off flipping burgers.

 

[rjack321]

we get a small amount per student plus expenses like quarry entry fees.

How many courses do you have to be a part of just to break even with insurance? (or is the shop paying that too?)

 

[rick00001967]

If you are looking to make a lot of money in diving, esp as a DM/CD you are better off flipping burgers.

i may not be the brightest light on the tree but i am not insane enough to believe i can actually make a living doing this. lol

no, i am doing the dive con program more for the personal gratification and to improve as a diver. and it gives me a reason to stay active in my local dive scene. something i have not been able to do for many years due to my real jobs work restrictions.

i am just looking for input from different members here on the various policies at local dive ops. i am perfectly happy to put in a bunch of time for free while i am training. but i would hope that once i actually become certified and can do some real good around the shop, i will be compensated in some small way. i probably should have discussed this in depth with my lds owner but honestly, it was pretty low on the priority list. i just wanna get my fin in the door so to speak. lol

thx for all the replies......keep them comin......

 

[herman]

How many courses do you have to be a part of just to break even with insurance? (or is the shop paying that too?)

The shop has a blanket policy that we can be added to but we have to pay our part. As for break even....one or 2 ow's depending on the number in the class. We are a very active shop with 20+ instructors and about as many active DMs, classes with 6 to 10 are the norm and we have 3 OW classes going most months from March to Nov plus all the specialties and the courses we as DMs can teach. It's not hard for a DM to cover his insurance plus we get perks like free air, reduced nitrox and equipment deals. We don't get rich by any stretch but it is better than break even if you want to do the classes.

 

[Bob DBF]

The local shops here will will tell you that they pay a DM, once certified, but they don't bring up that there are no jobs open.



Bob
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I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.