How many of us are Instructors?

[Diverdaniel]

several diving agencies but have recently resigned from all of them as the standard of instructorship is appalling and one of the agencies seems to be pursuing the notion that every body should be an instructor if you pay the going rate.

Sad but so true im afraid, even in the short time i have spent 2 years as DiveCon and then the 3 as an instructor, one way street, downhill
it looks like with the economic situation of the world today, everyone(agencies) is out to get the most ppl (money) makeing it gradually cheeper, corners get cut, instructor attitudes change, responsibility?! I have seen alot of pretty irresponsible instructors. Sad, and the new agencies that begin on the right track are also going commercial, problem is, you cant compete the cheapening agencies out there.
the good agencies are way too expensive for the average joe diver/non-diver that want to learn how to dive with the best instruction possible.

Open water to instructor in less than a year who are they kidding.

I have seen instructors from nondivers in less than 6 months.
also a divecon to instructor in less than 7 days.[/quote]

dive with buddies who are as experienced as me.

yup, the right and safer way to go in my eyes.


D

[nudibranco]

I just joined as well and enjoy reading some threads already.
I started with NASE here in Italy and crossed into PADI early last year.
However my first dive was in the cold waters of Boston in 1978 ... I think
I own a dive center in Sardinia... so everybody is more than welcome to visit!

Andrea

www.diveaquarius.net (changing soon)

[The Publisher]

I remember NASDS....I got certified at 13 years of age with them.

[Ola]

Teaching mostly PADI programs since 1993 and loving it c",)

[klemens Gann]

Been teaching PADI since 1995, did a crossover to NAUI a year later which I think is the better program but discontinued teaching it as nobody requested it. Here in the Philippines PADI is the only thing you can sell. Sad, but true.

[acelockco]

Been teaching PADI since 1995, did a crossover to NAUI a year later which I think is the better program but discontinued teaching it as nobody requested it. Here in the Philippines PADI is the only thing you can sell. Sad, but true.

I understand completely as am trying to make the decision myself which way to go. I originally started my SCUBA training as NAUI and always had strong feelings about the quality of the NAUI training process. In my opinion it has always been the most in-depth training available.

I just got a job offer from my local dive shop which is SSI. I have to take a few classes in order to work there and the cost is really minimal compared to any other route for me. I do feel concerned though if in the future I decide to look for a job somewhere else I will have a difficult time finding someone looking for someone with SSI credentials. I know that PADI is the most popular route, but it is also a lot more costly (at least for me).

Klem, can you tell me more about what was involved in the crossover course. That might be the best idea of all, as I can focus on what is available to me now.

[lars2923]

It's the Instructor that make the training. Not just the organization. If your in for the money, go with the organizations which people are looking for.

[myscubastory]

Newly qualified PADI OWSI with EANx Specialty too! Loving it very much so! I want get teaching in Europe but dunno if ill be able to cope with ther colder waters. im only used to thai water at 31degrees celcius

[acelockco]

Newly qualified PADI OWSI with EANx Specialty too! Loving it very much so! I want get teaching in Europe but dunno if ill be able to cope with ther colder waters. im only used to thai water at 31degrees celcius

Congratulations!!! It must feel amazing.

Oh, get yourself a drysuit and you will never be cold.

[The Publisher]

....Oh, get yourself a drysuit and you will never be cold.

If you have ever gone cold water diving in a wetsuit then tried a drysuit, you will NEVER go back. It is like going from a Windoze PC to a Mac, you'll wonder what the heck you were thinking!

But then again diving exotic tropical sort of spoils one too!