Recreational Diving: Teaching Others to Dive and So Much More
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May 2003
By Rob Curran
When you stop by your local dive shop or go on a dive vacation, do you dream of being that person behind the counter or on the boat? With the right training, it's easy to pursue a such a career.
Whether it's through a local store or at some far-flung dive resort, divemasters or instructors are generally the public's first and most frequent contact with diving. From teaching open water courses to leading dives around the world, recreational diving can be a career that satisfies the wet at heart.
The wide range of opportunities in the world of recreational diving includes: different levels of instruction; guiding dives; day-boat staff; live-aboard staff; shop employment in various capacities; marketing; photography; videography; writing; and much more.
After open water certification (advanced certification and sometimes even open water are often included in school training), the next step toward a career in recreational diving is to contact the various training agencies and schools. They can send information about their programs and their web sites can also provide a wealth of information.
The schools available to those interested in a career in recreational diving vary in many ways. Factors to consider include: school location; training waters; boats used; types of programs offered; length and intensity of programs; role-playing opportunities; home study possibilities; class sizes; instructor-to-student ratios; on-the-job experience opportunities; financial aid programs; and placement services. It's definitely best to contact several to make the best choice for your particular circumstances and goals.
Some schools are even located at a dive resort, giving students the opportunity to use real cash registers, serve actual customers, answer the phone, use and service equipment, fill tanks, and learn other everyday duties. This "real world" training is hard to beat!
Today's programs concentrate on required skills and mastering new technologies (e.g., deep technical diving and using rebreathers). This enhances textbook, pool, and open water education. From conducting certification classes to running a dive operation, a diploma from one of these schools opens the door to a new world above and below the surface. In fact, several schools offer a job placement guarantee to their graduates. It's just a matter of choosing the right program and diving in!
But passing the Instructor Exam (IE) and earning the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) rating is just the beginning for many recreational diving pros. In fact, many in the industry view the rating as being similar to Open Water Diver certification -- it's just the beginning of what can be a lifetime of training and career growth. Many schools can provide hands-on training and experience to teach various specialty courses because the more you can teach, the more you can earn!
Instructor Schools
Bob Brayman's International Diving Career Institute at Hall's
The Career Institute at Hall's provides training for serious dive professionals. For over 20 years, Hall's extensive training programs have gone far beyond the ordinary for employers. Hall's exclusive copyrighted programs include comprehensive Instructor/Divemaster training at a real dive center resort plus training in Rebreather, Technical, Diver Propulsion Vehicles, Wet Submarines, U/W Communications, Business Operations/Sales, Equipment Repair, Digital Photography/Videography, Computer Editing, etc. No previous experience is necessary. Courses last up to 14 weeks with complete certification following graduation. Financing is available for those who qualify. Hall's boasts a "100% graduate job placement rate every year for the last ten consecutive years."
800-331-HALL, 305-743-5929, fax 305-743-8168, [email protected], www.hallsdiving.com
Scuba Emporium
Scuba Emporium has served the Chicago metropolitan area longer than any other dive center. Founded in 1974, Scuba Emporium is the oldest licensed facility in Illinois offering entry level through instructor programs, and was the first PADI Career Development Center in the Midwest. Scuba Emporium's two PADI 5-Star IDC centers both have swimming pools. With three course directors, a full-time staff, and on-site training pools, you can earn any rating at any time.
Phone 800-778-DIVE, fax 708-301-0293, [email protected], www.scubaemporium.com
When you stop by your local dive shop or go on a dive vacation, do you dream of being that person behind the counter or on the boat? With the right training, it's easy to pursue a such a career.
Whether it's through a local store or at some far-flung dive resort, divemasters or instructors are generally the public's first and most frequent contact with diving. From teaching open water courses to leading dives around the world, recreational diving can be a career that satisfies the wet at heart.
The wide range of opportunities in the world of recreational diving includes: different levels of instruction; guiding dives; day-boat staff; live-aboard staff; shop employment in various capacities; marketing; photography; videography; writing; and much more.
After open water certification (advanced certification and sometimes even open water are often included in school training), the next step toward a career in recreational diving is to contact the various training agencies and schools. They can send information about their programs and their web sites can also provide a wealth of information.
The schools available to those interested in a career in recreational diving vary in many ways. Factors to consider include: school location; training waters; boats used; types of programs offered; length and intensity of programs; role-playing opportunities; home study possibilities; class sizes; instructor-to-student ratios; on-the-job experience opportunities; financial aid programs; and placement services. It's definitely best to contact several to make the best choice for your particular circumstances and goals.
Some schools are even located at a dive resort, giving students the opportunity to use real cash registers, serve actual customers, answer the phone, use and service equipment, fill tanks, and learn other everyday duties. This "real world" training is hard to beat!
Today's programs concentrate on required skills and mastering new technologies (e.g., deep technical diving and using rebreathers). This enhances textbook, pool, and open water education. From conducting certification classes to running a dive operation, a diploma from one of these schools opens the door to a new world above and below the surface. In fact, several schools offer a job placement guarantee to their graduates. It's just a matter of choosing the right program and diving in!
But passing the Instructor Exam (IE) and earning the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) rating is just the beginning for many recreational diving pros. In fact, many in the industry view the rating as being similar to Open Water Diver certification -- it's just the beginning of what can be a lifetime of training and career growth. Many schools can provide hands-on training and experience to teach various specialty courses because the more you can teach, the more you can earn!
Instructor Schools
Bob Brayman's International Diving Career Institute at Hall's
The Career Institute at Hall's provides training for serious dive professionals. For over 20 years, Hall's extensive training programs have gone far beyond the ordinary for employers. Hall's exclusive copyrighted programs include comprehensive Instructor/Divemaster training at a real dive center resort plus training in Rebreather, Technical, Diver Propulsion Vehicles, Wet Submarines, U/W Communications, Business Operations/Sales, Equipment Repair, Digital Photography/Videography, Computer Editing, etc. No previous experience is necessary. Courses last up to 14 weeks with complete certification following graduation. Financing is available for those who qualify. Hall's boasts a "100% graduate job placement rate every year for the last ten consecutive years."
800-331-HALL, 305-743-5929, fax 305-743-8168, [email protected], www.hallsdiving.com
Scuba Emporium
Scuba Emporium has served the Chicago metropolitan area longer than any other dive center. Founded in 1974, Scuba Emporium is the oldest licensed facility in Illinois offering entry level through instructor programs, and was the first PADI Career Development Center in the Midwest. Scuba Emporium's two PADI 5-Star IDC centers both have swimming pools. With three course directors, a full-time staff, and on-site training pools, you can earn any rating at any time.
Phone 800-778-DIVE, fax 708-301-0293, [email protected], www.scubaemporium.com
