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Choosing to pursue a career as a professional diver or a Professional is not just an exhilarating decision, but it’s also one that entails considerable dedication! Even when pursued leisurely, diving demands both physical stamina and mental resilience, and transitioning into a professional role entails guiding others through their own challenges. It necessitates personal and professional growth, which can only be achieved through appropriate training and the right support.
Divemaster
The journey begins with the Divemaster certification, marking your initial ascent on the ladder of professional diving. Acquiring the Divemaster qualification empowers you to guide certified divers during their underwater explorations and provide aid to instructors mentoring novice divers. This requires successful completion of the Divemaster course along with several other prerequisites: you need a record of 40 dives before commencing the course, and a minimum of 60 dives to earn the qualification. These figures should be viewed as the baseline – the quantity of time dedicated to being underwater directly correlates to the depth of experience you gain.
When contemplating a career in professional diving, the appeal of quickly earning the Divemaster certification to kickstart your employment might be alluring. However, haste isn’t always productive! Seasoned professionals recognize that spending “time in the water” is the ultimate teacher, thus you need ample experience during your initial career phase. Many dive centers provide “Divemaster internships”, long-term programs (lasting a month or longer) that incorporate you into the center’s day-to-day operations while you progress through the structured divemaster training. While it may feel like you are working without compensation – or paradoxically, paying to work – it’s worth the investment of time and resources to build connections within a respected center where you’ll receive quality training, guidance, and substantial practical experience working with clients. Be cautious of centers advertising “free internships”; you might end up shouldering more work than expected, with the anticipated training falling by the wayside.
Open Water Scuba Instructor
To progress to the role of an instructor, you must first achieve the Divemaster qualification and have a record of at least 100 dives. At this juncture, it’s also imperative that you possess your personal diving equipment if you have not procured it during your Divemaster progression. The instructor certification entails completion of the Instructor Development Course (IDC) and successful passing of the Instructor Examination (IE). If you have a strong resolve to become an instructor, it’s advisable to seek a center offering a preparatory IDC course. This is particularly beneficial if your Divemaster training was a while back – the preparatory IDC course revisits the fundamental principles of diving physics and physiology, ensuring a solid foundation before delving into the more advanced topics.
The magnitude of this preparatory process might appear somewhat overwhelming, but it’s crucial to ponder on your goals post the IE exam – after all, it’s a substantial step in your career path! It’s advantageous to maintain versatility in the range of subjects you can instruct, and the Specialty Instructor qualifications serve as a valuable aid in this regard. When selecting an IDC center, inquire if they provide a comprehensive package encompassing post-IE training, such as a few specialized courses that could augment your employability.
MSDT
A large majority of instructors attain the designation of Master Scuba Diver Trainer, also known as “MSDT”. There isn’t a specific course or test for this, however, eligibility for this designation necessitates additional steps. You must certify a minimum of 25 divers and have the ability to instruct in five specializations, which translates to passing five Specialty Instructor course exams. The optimum route to attain this, while concurrently accruing experience by teaching the requisite number of students for certification, is via an MSDT internship.
Analogous to the Divemaster internship, the MSDT internship is a more extensive program where you’ll be working alongside experienced instructors, acquiring valuable hands-on teaching experience. This may entail substantial (financial) commitments, yet it offers a dependable method to bolster your confidence in your capabilities before embarking on your first salaried position as a professional. If the center where you completed your IDC was to your liking, investigate if they provide an option for you to extend your stay. Should you sense it’s time for a change, conduct some research and determine the specialties you’d prefer to instruct – there’s an array of options! Nevertheless, bear in mind not every dive center can cater to all specialties, so upon making your decision, ensure you locate a center in a region that’s compatible with your preferences.
Embarking on a journey to become a professional is a significant adventure, hence there’s no need to hasten. Experience is garnered through thorough preparation, ample practice, and most importantly, time devoted to being in the water! Dedicate time to establish a robust foundation as a diver, be ready for daily enhancement of your skills and knowledge, and take initiative to ensure you’re receiving the necessary support. Ultimately, you’re investing not solely in your future – an entire new generation of divers eagerly awaits your instruction!