questions about pro certs and gear

[gonje3d]

alright, i'v started planning to go to a scuba school (prodive) in florida to start training for my PADI instructor certification and have to buy some gear prier to going. I have the simple stuff (wetsuit, mask, fins, BC, etc.) but i just don't know what sort of regulator or computer to get that will hold up to the riggers of a scuba diving career.
can someone help me out?

another question is that i'm planning on doing the school from divemaster straight through to advanced instructor do you think that's too fast?

 

[Damselfish]

how much/what kinds of diving experience do you have now?

 

[gonje3d]

i am only an advanced open water now but am relly into diving there is probably about a $600 limit for a regulator, octo, and computor. I'm afraid i don't know much about reg systems so any help would be of great use.

 

[Damselfish]

But how many dives and in what conditions? An AOW card by itself does not mean a great deal.

Most any major brand and model of reg or computer will "hold up", you need to select things based on features, obviously price, and maybe if you can get the reg serviced where you might go. Perhaps start with some reading in the regulators and computers forums to get some ideas.

 

[jjwdiver]

Harsh! At least take time to taste the saltwater. Divemaster for a while before becoming instructor. Get in alot of dives. Learn to dive. Enjoy the sport before you be come a slave to it.

 

[SheriffMedic]

I hate to be the bad guy here, but if your asking what kind of regulators to buy, and have very little experience, I wouldn't suggest becoming an instructor. Spend some time in the field, this is a sport that needs top notch divers for instructors.

My advice to you would be to become a DiveMaster and stay at that level for a while. I would suggest diving in all kinds of different enviroments and spend alot of time subsurface. Look into working on a dive boat for a while, spend some time in salt and fresh water, and even look to join a volunteer dive/rescue team (probably volunteer fire dept based) and get some experience diving in the most horrible conditions imaginable.

You will need to know all the different kinds of gear, inside and out, as your students will be looking to you for advice on what to buy and how to use it.

Take your time, there is plenty of time to teach, spend some time under the water!

 

[daniel f aleman]

As usual the Board Dummies come out to bash the agencies, they're just envious.

ProDive's courses do NOT make short-cuts. You will receive certification as you progress, and complete, academics and dives. Instructor ratings will be given when you meet standards; meaning that the PRODive class schedule will adapt to your needs and abilities. It will probably take anywhere from eight months to a year to become a full instructor. Enjoy yourself, FLL is a GREAT place to learn diving.

 

[TekDiveGirl]

As usual the Board Dummies come out to bash the agencies, they're just envious.

ProDive's courses do NOT make short-cuts. You will receive certification as you progress, and complete, academics and dives. Instructor ratings will be given when you meet standards; meaning that the PRODive class schedule will adapt to your needs and abilities. It will probably take anywhere from eight months to a year to become a full instructor. Enjoy yourself, FLL is a GREAT place to learn diving.

Envious? I didn't see any posts as envious...

But if the guys profile is accurate -- he has 0-15 dives --

Learned to dive in college to an advanced cert possibly 2 years ago -- doesn't even have rescue.

And doesn't know the first thing about gear and wants it at a steal.

Somehow this does not bode well to being a dive pro - right now.

Kimber

 

[gonje3d]

ok so i don't have much experience and don't know much about the industry but i am vary willing to learn quickly and throughly. i have tought kids everything from rock climbing to mountain biking to environmental education and just want to learn a new skill to continue my life away from an office building and out in the natural world.
so, seriously, is doing the instuctor thing a super bad idea? or is it that it just seems too fast to you all?
(A friend of mine has done it and works on a nice liveaboard making fair money and having a ball doing it)

 

[Diver Dennis]

No, it's not a bad idea but talk to some DMs you might dive with and get some more dive experience. I think the problem is that it seems as though you are rushing into it.
A year long course has to cost quite a bit. Just make sure this is the route you want to take.

EDIT: Talk to the school as well. They might have some specific requirements for equipment etc.