I'm not an instructor because my other job (computers) has grown faster than my scuba job. I started 50/50 but 2 years ago it became 80/20 (computers/scuba) and last year it became (100/0). I still think some day I will continue on my professional path and become an instructor but this is because I love scuba and I love teaching. I was a computer teacher and loved that. However, I have seen a lot of people think becoming a scuba instructor (or even DM) is glamorous or they see all the pros and none of the cons. I don't know anyone from my Rescue or DM class who are still working in the industry. Most didn't make it past one year. Seeing all these other people becoming disillusioned makes me sad. I wouldn't want to see others make the same mistake I have seen others make.
Maybe you are like me or like people I see on here who are making a living from scuba (NWGratefulDiver, Devon, Doppler, boulderjohn, TSandM, etc.) and you will love being a professional. However, there are a lot of down sides to doing this for a living. For someone like me, I'm fine with it. When I have a kid who takes to water like a fish in my DSD class, he is doing regulator recovery demonstration quality, that is a great moment for me. However, this is rare. More often I have the 50 year old who saw a GroupOn and figured it would be a good thing to put on his bucket list. He has some hang ups about water but insists he is 'fine'. He is too macho to admit he needs help. He spends the entire DSD holding his mask on with his hand because he doesn't trust the strap will hold it in place. I see him as a challenge. How do I get him comfortable in the water?
What about the dad who is clowning around in the pool and tries turning off his wife's air during a DSD class? I have to impress upon him that just because it is his wife he cannot do that. I don't want to lose him as a potential customer but I cannot let him get away with stuff like this. Learning how to deal with him is one challenge. Or figuring out when enough is enough and saying we sometimes just don't need customers like him.
Maybe you are like me or like people I see on here who are making a living from scuba (NWGratefulDiver, Devon, Doppler, boulderjohn, TSandM, etc.) and you will love being a professional. However, there are a lot of down sides to doing this for a living. For someone like me, I'm fine with it. When I have a kid who takes to water like a fish in my DSD class, he is doing regulator recovery demonstration quality, that is a great moment for me. However, this is rare. More often I have the 50 year old who saw a GroupOn and figured it would be a good thing to put on his bucket list. He has some hang ups about water but insists he is 'fine'. He is too macho to admit he needs help. He spends the entire DSD holding his mask on with his hand because he doesn't trust the strap will hold it in place. I see him as a challenge. How do I get him comfortable in the water?
What about the dad who is clowning around in the pool and tries turning off his wife's air during a DSD class? I have to impress upon him that just because it is his wife he cannot do that. I don't want to lose him as a potential customer but I cannot let him get away with stuff like this. Learning how to deal with him is one challenge. Or figuring out when enough is enough and saying we sometimes just don't need customers like him.