If you are looking for part-time employment, consider a career as a scuba instructor. As a diving teacher, you can make enough to support your hobbies and travels. Many middle-aged, retired teachers and law enforcement officers are scuba instructors. Many of them are able to enjoy a comfortable retirement and a fulfilling second lifestyle. Continue reading to find out more about the requirements for becoming a scuba diver instructor.
Qualifications to become an instructor in scuba diving
You must complete a scuba dive instructor course before you can become a scuba diver. The course teaches you the fundamentals of scuba equipment and how to breathe underwater. It also teaches about diving safety and the theory behind it. These topics can be learned in a manual or through eLearning. A confined water practice will be completed, usually in the pool. You will then have to complete four open water dives, which will test your skills and knowledge at a maximum depth of 18 meters.
Scuba instructors are also known as "travelers" because they are required to travel often and may not have a steady job, and so they have to rely on freelance jobs. Instructors are considered to be leaders in their field and certified agencies support them. Instructor training extends beyond teaching people to dive. It also includes the ability to teach others how to care for them. Instructors are also trained in basic emergency medicine skills and professional selling skills. Scuba instructors also have access at a significant discount to gear and parts. This allows them to buy new kits and replacements at half the cost of retail.
Salary of a scuba instructor
The annual salary for a scuba instructor ranges from $18,000 to $20,000, although it is possible to increase in the future. It's not an expensive salary, but it covers many of the expenses associated with living abroad. Scuba instructors are more likely to be based abroad than the average person. This means that their take-home salary is much higher than the norm. But, they may need to relocate often in order to find stable work.
You will be teaching others how to dive as well as leading dive trips. You will find this job very challenging and not boring if you are interested in this career. A positive attitude and good communication skills are essential to attract potential clients. A good example of this is scuba instructors who have had experience working in the hospitality sector.
Work environment of a scuba instructor
It is not easy to be a scuba instructor. Divers must have diverse skills and work in a highly competitive environment. It is no surprise that the demand of scuba instructors outweighs the supply. Instructors may find themselves balancing the demands of teaching with work-life balance, hauling heavy tanks, and dealing with high-stress environments.
Based on where the instructor works, the work environment can vary. An instructor who works at a dive shop may teach two classes for 40 hours each week, while an instructor at a resort might be working 60 hours per weeks. A resort-based instructor may work six days a weeks, and even seven days during peak tourist periods. You must keep up with the latest trends and techniques in order to be competitive in this industry.
Career prospects for a scuba teacher
Divers have many benefits and a career as an instructor can help you reap many of them. This job is best for people who enjoy being outdoors in the ocean and do not like to deal with violence. In addition to the physical benefits, scuba instructors can grow as individuals and leaders. Scuba instructors become part of a network and are surrounded by mentors, like-minded people. You will have to lift heavy objects, train and certify students quickly, and deal with stress.
Scuba instructors may not have the typical job duties but expect to work more that forty hours a week. They might also teach up to two classes. In busy periods, some instructors might work seven days a weeks. Instructors working at dive resorts will typically work between 60 and 60 hours per week. Scuba instructors typically work 40 hours per week and teach two classes each week.