So you’ve decided you want to be a PADI Instructor. Awesome! You’re about to join the ranks of the most sought after professionals in the dive industry. But are you ready?

The right motivation:

Before committing to the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) it’s important to consider if being an instructor is what you really want. PADI Instructors don’t gain any additional depth limits, aren’t taught decompression procedures, don’t gain certification for special environments or equipment. The one motivation behind becoming a PADI Instructor should be to teach diving! This motivation takes many forms, not everyone wants to completely u turn their career and commit to being a full time instructor. Some may teach part time around their other job, maybe initially then transitioning over time. Others will have seasonal positions that rotate around different locations, combining into full time work.

Diving has many paths and there shouldn’t be a set route to follow. Each diver should find their way based on what they enjoy. If you don’t have any interest in working in the dive industry then starting on the pro pathway probably isn’t the best use of your time or funds. You would find greater fulfilment in specialties or other niches. Similarly, if you’re a Divemaster and are sure that you only want to guide certified divers then progressing to instructor isn’t going to be a priority. These inclinations may change in the future, so it is important to re-evaluate your motivations regularly.

If you have even a seed of motivation towards seeing eyes light up when opened to the underwater world, faces full of wonder and awe, smiles of accomplishment after overcoming a difficulty, moments of realisation in the classroom, apprehension turned to hunger for the next adventure. Then being a PADI Instructor is for you!

The prerequisites:

Be a PADI Divemaster, or leadership level diver from another organisation.

Be 18 years old.

Have medical clearance to dive within 12 months.

Been a certified diver for at least 6 months.

Have 100 logged dives.

Have Emergency First Response Primary and secondary care within 24 months.

Pathways:

So you are aspiring to be an Instructor but you don’t quite have the prerequisites yet?

Maybe you’re a Divemaster but need more experience, then assist our instructors on courses to see what we do while logging dives. Maybe take specialty courses or workshops, particularly buoyancy control, smbs and lift bags.

Maybe you’re a Rescue Diver? You can complete the Divemaster course, log dives if needed and then go on to the IDC. We usually schedule an IDC at the end of the summer so you have the season to prepare.

Each candidate is different and has different needs so don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your unique pathway.

Keep following the PADI Instructor series to find out what it costs to become a PADI Instructor.

Already convinced?