What is the best way to get certified to become an instructor in scuba diving?

Question

i looked into halls institute in the keys of florida and found it to be to expensive plus you had to live there and i work to much to take the time off to go to the school, i want to know if there is another way to work in the scuba field as a career. i need help and direction on how to get started with the best teaching at the right price

Answer 1

Go to the Navy and get paid to learn.

Answer 2

I have been a dive master for 2 years now. It takes around $15,000 to get to where i am at now. Which includes....

Watermanship and skills assessment

Watermanship and stamina

General diving skills

Knowledge Development

Diving physics

Diving physiology

Diving skills and environment

Supervising students in training

Dive management and control

Dive planning

Emergency assistance plan for Diving emergencies in the local area

Mapping a local open water site

Practical Application

This involves training activities using various structured training sessions, simulated scenarios and internship sessions with actual programs. These training sessions with a dive master enable you to gain practical experience as an instructional assistant and a supervisor of open water diving activities, both as a co-ordinator and as an underwater guide.

  Has a high level of personal diving skill.

Has instructor level knowledge of diving theory.

Has had significant training in how to assist an instructor during training activities.

Is able to assume appropriate responsibilities that benefit the welfare of other divers.

Many Divemasters go on to become Instructors. So, the training and experience you gain through the Divemaster program helps shape your abilities and attitude toward becoming a professional level diving educator.

As a Divemaster, you'll be qualified to:

Act as certified instructional assistant to Instructors.

Supervise participants in experience programs for uncertified divers.

Generally supervise both training and no training related diving activities by planning, organizing and directing dives.

Teach and certify Skin Divers

Conduct the Scuba Review program for certified divers.

Conduct the Skin Diving Skills segment of the Open Water Diver course, confined Water Diver four under the direction of Instructor.

Be certified as a Advanced Open Water Diver or hold a qualifying certification from another training organization.

Be certified as a Rescue Diver or hold a qualifying certification from a training organization.

Have logged a minimum of 20 open water dives prior to entry into Divemaster training, and completed and logged a minimum of 60 open water dives with experience in deep and navigation prior to certification as a Divemaster.

Be at least 18 years old.

At the time of certification, have current training in CPR. (Current means that the CPR training has not expired as defined by the CPR training organization.)

At the time of certification, have current training in First Aid.

Answer 3

The main steps are becoming certified and getting some experience anyway.  You basically can take a course in the next level after you're done with the last one.  There are several courses needed to make it to instructor.  You can take these at your pace any time (with the main agencies like PADI or NAUI).  I would say this is the "right price" way too because you take the courses as you can afford them and you can add to the equipment you own and also build your knowledge of the equipment you're buying - which is another investment.  (I really love my Oceanic VT Pro dive computer by the way - it is "air integrated" with a transmitter on the tank and can handle Nitrox settings all with a very understandable display and user manual, and I use an Atomic regulator which is also a very good investment for the long term diver.  Uwatec user manuals suck bad).

Talk to dive shops and instructors in your area on the economics of where you are and how you can do it best for you.

Answer 4

It is expensive, but well worth it.  There are many dive training programs, but I have found PADI to be the best one.

Answer 5

For most people who are interested in becoming a dive professional, they actually don't look to go to a specialized school like Halls Institute.  The first thing is to go to your favorite local dive shop (LDS) and inquire about the Dive Master course.  Find a store and more specifically an instructor that you like, respect, and want to work with.  Sign up to become a dive master (DM).

Dive master programs come in a variety of flavors.  Depending on structure, these programs can last a couple weeks of intensive training or a few months of weekend sessions.  

Personally, I would chose the most rigorous and time intensive program available, since this will typically prepare you the most as a professional.  There is nothing like seeing and helping students in real life situations, and gaining the knowledge first hand.

Depending on LDS, the agency, and the instructor, prices can range from $500 to $800 for DM training in my area.

Upon completing your DM, you can then decide whether you want to continue to becoming an instructor.  A larger commitment, both in time and money, but the diving world can always use another good instructor.