Questions about scuba instructing

[bduke08]

Forgive me if this is posted in the wrong section. I've been lurking around scuba board for good while now..over a year, before I was certified. I'm really interested about getting more dives in and I'm finding it hard because of my area (there are a couple quarries though) and the lack of friends who scuba dive. So I never have a dive buddy.

So lately I've been considering going pro. I've saw a lot of bashing threads about don't go pro, do it as a side hobby because of the lack of money. Let me go ahead and clear that up before people start replying with "You're going to be poor; there's not enough to make a living; Competition is fierce and people are willing to work for pennies." I already know all this and accept that. I'm not looking to get rich or even save a lot of money while doing this profession. I just want to enjoy life and help people get into diving! I have no commitments whatsoever right now. No debt, no house payment (I rent an apartment) and a wondering mind. So please only constructive answers on my question please and don't try to deter me away from my dream ha. So here's the question:

After I'm certified, how hard is it to land a job? I've read if you stay around the place you take your IDC at it should be easier. But before I go dumping money into more training, I want to hear some thoughts on how easily, or hard, it is to find a job once certified. I understand more qualifications other than OWSI will be helpful. But out of the get go, am I likely to be searching as a newbie instructor for a year after completing the course?

And while there may not be a lot of money involved, will I at least be able to save money for my next flight to another place during their high season? So will this job provide enough income to travel when you land a new job..or will I be stuck where I'm at trying to figure out how to scrape pennies.

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read, and I'd really prefer to hear from other scuba instructors who are doing this, and not people who just have their own view of it because those people tend to oppose it as a career choice because the lack of money....so this question really isn't for you. I want to hear it from someone experienced with it and is living that lifestyle. Thanks!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

It really depends on where you are. If you relocate to one of the places that have instructor puppy mills you can maybe get a job with the place you pay thousands of dollars to get the rating. Figure ten grand or so to do that including the classes, lodging, food, etc. To start. But there is no guarantee of a job. Take that rating and try to get work somewhere else without other skills like compressor repair, regulator technician, captain's license, web design, etc. then plan on tending bar, waiting tables, or some other work to live and eat.

Once you become an instructor there are annual dues, insurance, etc. Maybe your employer will pick that up if you are really good and make them lots of money. In many places that course the student is paying say 400.00 for? You'll see 10%. Like 40 -50 bucks.

If you try to go to a shop in states with that card don't hold your breath looking for a paying gig. Better to be an independent and teach on the side if you did not train with the place. Some shops don't even want to talk to you if they did not train you their way.

In the tropics you can swing a dead mouse and hit half a dozen instructors. There may be someone who wants to "do it for the love of teaching" and undercut you by working for tips while devaluing the rating. Locals will often get preference over you.

Very few instructors do this full time and make a real living. Many have other jobs, own shops, or are early retirees who don't need to make a living at diving.

Then there is the question of actual diving experience. I would not let anyone I cared about train with a new instructor that went from OW to Instructor in a year. I certainly would not let an instructor trained in the tropics with maybe a 150 -200 dives in those conditions and no real experience elsewhere train anyone I cared about here in the Northeast.

If you really want to dive, just dive. Frequent local spots and make some friends. A zero to hero instructor route is taken by many. They average about two years before they burn out.

---------- Post added October 2nd, 2014 at 07:09 PM ----------

While you will see a lot of glamorous looking ads to " Go Pro" what they don't tell you is that they are just that. Ads. Ads to make money for the agency and places that teach instructors. The reality is never noted in them.

 

[scoobydrew]

I've been doing it for 6 years now and love it. It is possible but is hard work, you really have to want to succeed and if you do then as you know you will still be poor.

Join a local dive club or something cos you really need to be getting wet as much as possible and save money, lots of it! Your training and gear will cost a lot and you're not likely to earn much at all to start with.

Research this extensively before committing

 

[tbone1004]

where are you in NC? As an NC diver, I find it immensely hard to believe you can't find dive buddies. There are 10-15 technical divers that dive almost every week in the Charlotte area, about the same in the triangle, and quite a few in Greensboro. Coast is abundant with good divers, and it's really easy to find dive buddies, you're just looking in the wrong place....

 

[abyss_scuba]

As someone who has been teaching full time since 1995 and owns a shop I look for enthusiasm, a willingness to work with people and a fun attitude. Like anything else, a degree means you were educated not necessarily that you will get a job. If you walk in with a smile on your face and a savvy brain you should be able to find some employment that actually pays. I pay my instructors $15.00/hr to teach class or pool , 30% of Open Water Dives and 50% of continuing education fees. I offer discounts on one set of personal gear each year, use of rental gear in the pool if instructors don't want to beat their gear up and use of rental gear on certifying dives. I have no problem getting good instructors and letting go of the ones that are like watching paint dry.

 

[TMHeimer]

Jim Lapenta has laid it all out, and I agree with it all based on my experiences in various U.S. shops, at our own shop, and what I have read often on Scubaboard. I will add that our instructors get paid $75 Canadian (approx. $68 U.S.) for each student in the class. An average class is maybe 7 students (though this can vary quite a bit up or down), so that would be $476 U.S. for 2 weekends work. So figuring maybe 8 hrs. a day that would come to a little unden $15 US/hr. Not too bad if you can do 8 hrs. work every day--not likely anywhere in the U.S./Canada. One instructor told me at times he's sorry he didn't stay a DM, make the $300/course and not have all the paperwork and responsibility of the buck stopping with him. I should say that I feel he is one of the best instructors on staff, not some slacker.

But as you've said, you know all the negative stuff. So the only real question is (as previously mentioned) are you willing to have a "day job" or at least another poart time job while teaching scuba? You obviously have a ways to go based on your number of dives, but I'll let others give the usual advice on that.

 

[Steve_C]

I'm finding it hard because of my area (there are a couple quarries though) and the lack of friends who scuba dive. So I never have a dive buddy.

I'm with Tbone. There are numerous dive clubs in NC. There are at least two local online forums. It is easy to get dives in NC. Go to the coast and rent a DM. They are much less than the cost of the dive. Where in NC are you?

 

[g1138]

Interested in learning about Marine life and aquariums? There are 3 aquariums in your state that will take volunteer divers. Great way to dive twice a month and meet new dive buddies.

 

[DENLASCUBA]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]If you have some cash saved up you might want to consider going abroad since it sounds like you do not have many obligations in the US. I can only speak about Thailand but pretty much all the dive centers that offer IDC will take you on to work for their center after you pass your exams and give you discounts on gear purchases. There are alot of instructors here but do your research and contact the center you want to do your IDC at (this goes for any country)

Now as for pay here in Thailand it will not be what you may make in the US. The average rates are 1,000 THB (roughly 30 USD) for guiding a single diver or group (this is does not change if its 1 or 5 divers), for teaching it is generally 1,000 THB per diver per day plus any tips you may make as well as commission for selling gear, courses, and or dive trips. Some dive shops have a flat monthly salary. You will work long days can start from 0700/0800 and finish around 1800-1900 working on the boat and coming back to clean and store gear. There is diving all year round but typically slows down from the end of April - November the low season, you can always try to contact a dive center in other parts of the country that does not suffer as much from the monsoons High season in Phuket/Similan Low Season in Pattaya, Koh Chang, ect. You may even be able to land a job working on a live-aboard some do hire newly certified instructors if they are not able to find other staff. Here you can make a little more cash and will not spend as much since you will be on the boat almost every day for 6 months guiding maybe teaching a course here and there. Sure the pay may not be great but you have the chance to get a bunch of experience.

If you have a good work ethic, energetic, willing to be the shop b***h for a bit doing all the heavy lifting the shop will help you out.

Cost of living in Thailand is generally cheap but that depends on how you spend your money or living requirements, apartments can range for 300 USD for a small studio to 1,000 USD a month, can rent a bike here for a few dollars a day (5-15 USD). You can live on your salary here as long as you don't need to go out and party every night. Now there will also be visa and work permit costs but these you would have to discuss with the place you will decide to work for.

Back to the high/low season you could try to go and work in another country but then you have to abide by that countries labor and visa laws which alot of places do not want to deal with if you will only be there a short time.

Now as for leisure traveling, you will not have much time if you are working in a busy area. Shops wants instructors who are here and ready at last minute notice, if you starting taking alot of time off they may give the course work to other instructors leave you only guiding, and maybe not sending much work your way. This is even if you stay around the shop during the low season.

If you can travel depends how much you spend for your own living expenses, what country you are located in where you want to travel. In asia you can find flights on budget carriers for 20-45 USD one way (if you dont have carry on) and 60 + for normal carriers.[/FONT]

 

[Oldbear]

There has been some great advice...my only addition to what has been said is,

"As a student, why would I want to take a course from you?"

"As a dive shop/training center, why would I want to hire you, what do you have to offer my business?"

Just food for thought.