Don’t let this be the end of your diving education. There are still more things that you can learn and also more things that you can offer people as a diving educator. For instance have you ever thought about being able to teach the things that interest you? Do you have a particular passion for wreck diving or perhaps underwater photography? Would you like to be able to teach other divers these things so they can join you in your interests? Maybe you just want to be able to teach something that you have real enthusiasm for or something particular to your local environment. It also means that there is less repetition for you. Let’s face it teaching the same courses day-in-day-out might become a little tedious so the ability to be able to go and teach something else once in a while can provide a nice break plus adding different teaching experiences for you. Either way you might want to think about becoming a PADI Specialty Instructor.

Look at all the options that are available to you. There are over 25 PADI Specialties and that is not including the Distinctive specialties written by instructors that apply to interests of theirs. There is so much more that you can offer your students and your potential dive centre employers.

This is also not something to be sniffed at. If you can teach more then you can offer a potential employer more value as they can obviously utilize you more. The more things you can add to your ‘Instructors Quiver’ then the more valuable you can be to a dive operation. It can also help you to move up the PADI Instructor ladder to Master Scuba Diver Trainer and beyond.

These ratings past the Open Water Scuba Instructor rating denote instructors with a lot of experience and thus give you a large amount of credibility. Once you move onto ratings such as IDC Staff Instructor as well you are starting to help in the PADI Instructor Development process assisting Course Directors in shaping the future diving instructors. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this process in changing people from divers into guys who can teach diving? Be a part of that life changing experience for someone else. Continue your diving education and this is certainly possible plus it again makes you even more useful within the dive industry. My own experience as a Staff Instructor took me to a whole new perception in the way I looked at teaching diving and the way that I could work with people. This was pretty much the best transition I made in diving and only encouraged me to go further up the ladder to Course Director.

This might all; be quite a lot to take in just following your gradation from the IDC/ IE which obviously was such a great achievement in itself. But why not build on what you have learned and thus make yourself a more rounded dive professional. Going through the Continuing Education process will also allow you to carry on working with experienced instructors and seeing their methods of teaching which will allow you to build your own style by working with and observing many others. Even now I still learn from watching other diving instructors at work as no one has completely the same way of teaching and working with people.

This is not to say just focus on your con-ed but still get on with teaching the ‘bread and butter’ PADI courses. Just recognize what con-ed can offer you and what you can use it for. Teach those things that really interest you and your enthusiasm for your subject can rub off on your students. There are also little things like teaching certain Specialties can enhance you knowledge to make teaching other courses better such as the PADI Divemaster course.

The point that I am trying to make is that you shouldn’t just think that now you have passed your IE that that is the end of your education. There is so much more that you can learn and so much more that you can offer in the dive industry both to the benefit of your students, and yourself. The PADI system offers so much more for you as an instructor and you should take the opportunity to use it to its full potential and realize your full potential.

Accreditation and Experience – Does your Course Director have the education and experience to train you proper. Just like in the Dive master course, a big part of the IDC is for the CD to share his/ her experience. If somebody does not have that, then it comes down to “teach you to pass the IE”. Also remember that if the CD has been around for a while and has trained a lot of Instructors in the area, you will get lot’s of valuable info outside of just the IDC. Such as local issues/ concerns and probably also advise on future work opportunities. Before signing up with “the cheapest deal” do a bit of research and find out what other people in the area has to say about your potential choice. Happy customers are usually a good indication that the CD cares about the candidates. If needed, ask for references of students from all skill levels that you can contact. Does he/ she offer programs on a regular basis or do they just have a few per year?

Compatibility – It is your responsibility to insure that there is a fit between you and your instructor on all levels, personality type, mutual goals, and your instructor’s ability to relate to your individual needs. Learning to dive is supposed to be fun, so learning to be an Instructor should also be fun then. Not a military training camp! If the CD is a “boring” speaker it can turn into pretty long days. Yes, you will spend a lot of time in the classroom, so having a person in front that can be entertaining as well as knowledgeable will be very important. Some have ego’s bigger than the dive store and that gets to be a bit boring after a few days.

Facility – Where will the program be conducted and does the CD know the facilities well? Are the classrooms air conditioned (in tropical climates)? How far from the classroom to the pool or confined water? How far to open water site? If things are slowed down by difficult logistics, such as long travel between class room to pool or open water site this will interfere with learning. Also your days will then be very long. Since you have to do preparations every night for the next days action, it makes sense to be able to get out of class at a reasonable time every afternoon. Relaxing and catching your breath before homework and dinner. Remember; never hold your breath! Check if all diving is done from the beach or if boat is an option if the beach “blows up”. It often saves time to go from the beach, but if conditions are bad, then that is an issue. If they would not teach an open water course at the site, then they should not teach an IDC there either. Can they help with fixing equipment as well as help with booking hotels, advice on restaurants etc. Having some surround support will help make the experience less stressful and way more fun too. Check what schedule the course will have. Is it a squeeze with cramped in study over the bear minimum of time or is it laid out perhaps with a “study/ relax” day in the middle. Is there any room between the IDC and IE for maybe some extra stuff or remedial training?

Follow-up Communication – Your CD should be willing to help out with answering questions after training has been completed. You are going to be a brand new Instructor, and sometimes may get a little stressed. Being able to call or email and get some good advice will make life less stressful.

Let’s face it; diving is not rocket science or brain surgery. By asking simple questions before taking instruction, you will insure that you will invest your time and money wisely, as well as maximize your learning curve.

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The following article was submitted by
Bent Posejpal – PADI Course Director
Siam Dive n’ Sail, Phuket, Thailand
Tel: +66(0)76-330 967; Fax: +66(0)76330 990
Cell: +66 (0) 81 892 0643
Email: bent@igotbent.com
Email: igotbent@gmail.com

http://igotbent.com

http://siamdivers.com

http://indodivers.com

Like you, I to had what some would call a “real job” some 18 years ago! I had real clothes that I always spent money on to make sure that they were the most fashionable of the time. I drove nice cars that were mostly financed by the banks. My jobs over the years involved working in the publishing business, farm work, every aspect of the restaurant business and even a short time at a large retail outlet.

Back then internet wasn’t around but there was no shortage of newspapers and magazine articles that gave you a glimpse of various exotic locations. I too worked hard to save my money in order to visit these wonderful places when vacation time rolled around, and like yourself I always thought, wow, wouldn’t it be great to live here!

I would experience the cultures of far away countries and hidden tropical islands. I learned to dive and experience mother natures beauty in creating this extraordinary ocean playground. I encountered the turtles, various species of sharks and eels, the manta rays, Eagle rays and the Southern Stingrays. Every location was a sea of dreams painted over a moving canvas.

When holidays were over and I was stuck in my office cubical, it was the rich vibrant colors of the corals and tropical fish, the diverse terrains and the abounding sea life that would all play a major roll in my quest to live my dream.

It all seemed fantastic to me living on a tropical island, lounging by a pool sipping on refreshing cocktails, sleeping in every morning after partying into the wee hours of the night, just diving and living my dream and not a care in the world.

Wow!!!!! What a wake up call when I entered into the world of being a dive instructor living and working in paradise.

My stylish wardrobe changed immediately and now consist of a half dozen board shorts, a dozen t-shirts, half of which are company issued, no more having to choose which shoe’s I’m going to wear, it’s either bare feet or sandals. As a Dive Instructor it’s unlikely that you’ll ever have a loan for a new sports car, your new mode of transportation is now navigating the local bus system along with the chicken and goats, walking the beaches to work, riding a bicycle, scooters or motor bike. Sure some dive instructors have cars, but it’s no longer a status symbol. There are no sipping cocktails by the pool in a lounge chair; they are all reserved for the paying tourist. No time for that, we are all busy behind the scene working preparing boats, filling tanks and signing up guests in order for them to experience the dynamic diving that we have grown to love. As a dive instructor, you will work hard. It’s unlikely that you will get rich, but you will make it rich with life’s experiences.

You need to be prepared to accept the culture and values of a foreign country, the long distance travel involved in seeing family and friends. In many tropical location the food will be a new adventure in itself. Mother Nature does bring in some nasty weather from time to time. You need to be aware of the occasional tropical storm or hurricane. Be sure to check out the local health care system, and you want to make sure that your choose a destination that is safe and typically crime free.

There are companies out there that will combine your dive training with other activities such as surfing, wake boarding, kite surfing and kayaking that will give you exposure to a variety of sports. You’ll have the opportunity to meet people from all corners of the globe and make life time friends. As an instructor it’s easy to pick up a second language. So start living, unshackle yourself from your office cubical and become an instructor.

Once you choose to become a dive instructor, you have the ticket to travel. After all, it’s a Lifestyle, and when life becomes a Beach, then live it!

Contributed by: Ash McKnight
PADI Course Director
www.goprocayman.net