What skills to take

[Vonlick]

I am getting ready to take the advanced PADI course. What are the best extras to take if going pro? I see alot of good ones but I want to focus on what is needed to get a job. Im looking to move out of the US when I do this.

 

[BVickery]

Peak Performance Buoyancy without a doubt. When you nail this your S.A.C can go down because your no longer having as much drag which means you gotta exert more force to move which means you increase the rate of gas consumption.

 

[Vonlick]

that was one I thought of as well.

 

[TMHeimer]

PPB, Deep, UW Navigator. Maybe Search & Recovery.

 

[Steve_C]

If your 0-24 dives is correct you have a lot of diving before you go pro and get a job. As a pro you would be expected to be able to teach/assist for a wide range of courses. You would also be expected to have a variety of experience. Folks who get the pro cards with the minimum of dives and experience usually have a harder time getting work in the field, at least that is my experience. Personally I took dry suit, deep, boat, nitrox, navigation, rescue, DPV, buoyancy, drift, night, and SDI solo in addition to DM, I also did Advanced Adventure but repeated the full courses in most cases.

Dive as much as you can and with as much variety as you can.

Also, and this may go a bit against the grain here, once you have some experience I recommend that you dive with a variety of divers and insta buddies and not just a couple of very experienced buddies because that will be what you do when you go pro. If you don't want to dive with strangers with the strangers needs put first, you probably should not be a pro.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

And if you want to get a job learn how to service regs, fix compressors, diesel engines, and how to use a mop and broom effectively. And get as many dives in difficult conditions as you can.

 

[Vonlick]

Thanks for the input. I know I am start at the starting line. I just want to get things laid out as best as I can. Im going to treat it like a collage course.

 

[DiveMonkeyDive]

Deep, UW Navgation, Search & recovery, Rescue/EFR, Wreck, Nitrox, and Peak Bouyancy are all good ones to get you started. Of course over your career you will have many more specialties and have earned your Master, but the ones mentioned are good to start with. Im at 38 dives about to apply for my DM and my Master Diver certification.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

The more training you have, and the broader your range of experience as to dive conditions and equipment use, the better diver you will be. If you want initial focus, focus on those dives that add to your range of experience ( deep, night, wreck) and those that task load you so you are not just diving but doing something while diving ( navigation, search and recovery). But above all, get time in the water. There is no better way to hone your diving skills than by being an active diver.
DivemasterDennis

 

[Ste Wart]

I am getting ready to take the advanced PADI course. What are the best extras to take if going pro? I see alot of good ones but I want to focus on what is needed to get a job. Im looking to move out of the US when I do this.

Learn to teach in another Language. Not diving, but very handy for the industry.