If you dream of not only diving at world class sites, but using top of the line equipment, and spending as much time as possible in the world of silence, you might be well suited to a career as a diving instructor. The world’s best resorts, liveaboard charters, and cruise lines, not to mention smaller dive operators and pro shops all need diving instructors. If you think you might enjoy helping others to appreciate the underwater environment, this might be a great career choice.
Training to Become a Diving Instructor: What it Takes
Depending on whether you hope to take people on their first dives, or if you hope to teach avid divers new technical skills, you’ll need some specific training. Let’s look at the basics.
In order to become an instructor, you must first become a qualified PADI Dive Master, NAUI Dive Leader, or the equivalent. You’ll also need a Rescue Diver certification, along with CPR and First Aid qualifications. Depending upon where you plan to take classes, you will need to complete certain prerequisites prior to signing up for classes, plus you will need medical approval prior to beginning coursework. In addition, you will need to have logged a minimum of fifty dives in most cases, and you’ll need to own suitable equipment.
A solid background with knowledge in decompression theory, SCUBA equipment care and maintenance, plus knowledge of and experience with both air and mixed gas is helpful, plus you should be well versed in all aspects of safety. These are just a few examples of the types of knowledge you should become versed in prior to beginning coursework toward certification as a diving instructor. A wide range of reference materials, such as the NOAA Diving Manual, the US Navy Diving Manuals 1 and 2 are valuable, and books that discuss topics such as dive medicine, high altitude diving, and the physics and engineering of diving are helpful, as well.
As a diving instructor, other people will be looking to you for both knowledge and leadership. Much of your success will have to do with the level of education you are able to obtain; and much will depend on your personality, as well. If you are comfortable interacting with people in a friendly and confident manner, then you’re well on your way to having what it takes to become a diving instructor.
Working as A Diving Instructor
Once you have become qualified to work as a dive instructor, a whole new world of opportunities will open up for you. You may decide that you want to keep your day job and work part time as an instructor; or, you may decide that you want to travel the world, working with a variety of clientele from different walks of life. Depending upon where you go, you could find yourself teaching basic classes, or you could become qualified to teach various aspects of technical diving.
There are countless opportunities available for those who wish to spend working hours doing a job they enjoy. Compensation increases with skill level, and as you gain more experience as an instructor, you’ll find yourself working with other diving enthusiasts, perhaps even training the dive instructors of the future.