Want to start PADI tr. for career in scuba w only 5 dives at 57 y/o. please feedback.

[Dan333]

Hi, I'm at a point in my life where I strongly believe I want to get out of the rat race and I've always believed that if I did, scuba would be my first choice.
I'm 57 years old and have only completed a Naui course several years ago with only 5 open water dives. Right now I have enough money to concentrate on a PADI program and believe I should take it through at least Phase III / resort specialist.
After training I would like to count on scuba as my only income and would continue to certify in other courses to increase my job opportunities.
I would appreciate your opinion on what I can expect as a life style and income at my age. Of course, this would be a major life changing event for me and I'm looking for anyone's advice on what to expect.
Thanks for reading my thread!
Dan

 

[cb5150]

Well, at 57 you should already be financially set with a healthy savings account and a fat 401K, so you probably don't have to worry about income. I say throw caution to the wind and go for it! Do something you enjoy. Realistically how many good years do you have left on this rock? Why not spend them doing something fun!

 

[boulderjohn]

Your ability to do what you like varies greatly depending upon where you live while pursuing that dream.

I do know people who started in the scuba industry with very little training, but they did it by getting a job working in a dive shop doing non-diving work while they did their training. They were not well paid, but they were young and willing to go through that. Eventually they were integral parts of the organization, doing a combination of retail sales, gear maintenance, instruction, etc.

What you seem to be proposing is going directly into a full scale zero-to-hero program. There are a lot of them around the world, a lot of people enter them and a lot of people graduate. Notice the phrase "a lot" was repeated. That means you will be entering a job market late in life that is sated with people having those same goals. You will also be in competition with divers who had many hundreds of dives before they made the decision to seek a full time career.

As for me, I got my instructor certification when I was not many years younger than you. I have never been anything but very much a part time instructor. If I really wanted to, I could do more, but I don't really want to do much more than I am now, but that would entail either becoming a full time part of a dive operation as described above, or it would require me to move to a new location. It can be done--but it is not easy.

 

[Dan333]

Thx for the reply! I feel the same about caution to the wind. Though I do need to rely on enough income to survive in scuba since I'm not as financially secure as I would like to be. I have enough from the sale of my home to skate through a lot of the training...why I'm also looking for opinions of what to expect financially.
Thx!

 

[RJP]

. That's why I'm also looking for opinions of what to expect financially.
Thx!

I suggest you get a fair bit of diving experience first. You're at the point now where you don't even know whether you like diving... much less whether you're any good at it.

As an aside, you mention having enough money to take your PADI training through "Phase III - Resort Specialist" above. What the heck is that? I've never heard the terms "Phase III" or "Resort Specialist" before. Sounds like some instructor mill's package/terminology. I'd be leery of buying into some sort of bundled training package at this stage... or ever, frankly.

 

[CuracaoJ]

I'm certainly not one to say don't chase your dreams -- I suspect you'll get enough people telling you that in this thread if it gets enough attention. What I would advise you is the following, as RJP said, do some dives. You have to know that you have enough passion for it before you sell your house, move to a foreign location and start a hefty training regimen. And again, not saying you can't -- but keep this in mind, when you are a scuba instructor you are literally responsible for the lives of other people's children. Not saying you can't or won't get to that point, I'm just saying a lot of people are going to chime in saying "get experience," and that is why they are saying it.

As for zero to hero programs, meh, I know a lot of people that are against them carte blanche, I also know many an amazing instructor that went through that route (of course I know a few lousy ones that did that also). I think if you have a passion and a willingness to learn and teach and take your responsibilities seriously you can certainly go that way.

Lastly this board is full of info on this topic, mull around and do a few searches when you have time and you'll get a broader feel for the topic other than just this thread. The latest I remember is here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/going-pro/514439-realistic-expectations-2.html#post7502894

Good luck!

 

[redacted]

I doubt if there are many divers making a living based primarily on their PADI professional qualifications. You may need a good plan B.

 

[Dan333]

Thx for the advise! That phase III is a training segment from the Sea Experience out of Ft. Lauderdale.

 

[Manneca]

When I started diving 35 years ago, folks made a life of diving. They would have a little resort somewhere (I'm most familiar with Grand Cayman and Bonaire). Now, the field is packed with lots of young kids who work for nothing so they can dive and travel all over the world. I don't think it's possible for a 50 something to make a living in scuba. I'd do a lot more research about career opportunities. And get a lot more dives.

 

[oly5050user]

Hi, I'm at a point in my life where I strongly believe I want to get out of the rat race and I've always believed that if I did, scuba would be my first choice.
I'm 57 years old and have only completed a Naui course several years ago with only 5 open water dives. Right now I have enough money to concentrate on a PADI program and believe I should take it through at least Phase III / resort specialist.
After training I would like to count on scuba as my only income and would continue to certify in other courses to increase my job opportunities
I would appreciate your opinion on what I can expect as a life style and income at my age. Of course, this would be a major life changing event for me and I'm looking for anyone's advice on what to expect.
I'm in good physical condition.
Thanks for reading my thread!
Dan

With next to zero experience at 57 years of age, good luck.
not saying it is impossible but if you wish to work in a resort area it's all about what you bring to the table. Many of these places look for 20 something people. Not that older instructors cannot find a job, but they better bring a lot of experience with them to be hired. Licensed coast guard master license, diesel and outboard engine mechanic, etc.
be ready for low pay and working 12 to 14 hours a day. Just to be able to pay rent at many resort locations you may need to have someone to share living quarters with.
have some cash to invest? That would be a different story. Maybe invest in a location that is looking for a partner and hope for it to work out to where you manage the operation. Expect, depending on location and involvement $25,000 to $250,000 + as an investment.
Expect to spend up to $4,000 -$5,000 + to get from open water where you are to owsi.
Then another $3000 -$5000 on gear .
All this to work for what amounts to minimum wage, or at times, even less.
not to put you off the idea, but hopefully you go into it with your eyes open.
I taught part time at different locations for 43 years from New York to St.Thomas VI , and known in the local dive industry. But always had a real job to pay bills. Now retired from a major corporation and teach and make my own hours out of a LDS here in NY. Have healthy 401 and investment portfolio to fall back on. Now 64 years old, have continual classes every week ,both group and private, and escort group trips out of LDS 2 to 3 times a year. I am paid ok for now, better than most, but not anywhere close to what I earned in my former career.