If you are looking for part-time employment, consider a career as a scuba instructor. As a diving instructor, you'll be able to earn enough to fund your travels and hobby. Many middle-aged scuba instructors can be retired military veterans, police officers and teachers. Many of these scuba instructors enjoy a secure retirement and a fulfilling life after work. You can read more about how to become an instructor in scuba diving.
To become a scuba instructor, you must have the following qualifications
You must complete a scuba dive instructor course before you can become a scuba diver. The course covers the basics of scuba equipment as well as how to breathe underwater. You'll also learn about safety and theory of diving. You'll learn about these topics in a manual and through eLearning. You'll also need to do a confined swimming practice, often in a pool. The final step is to perform four open water dives at maximum depth 18m.
Scuba instructors may also be called "travelers", as they are often required to travel. Instructors are considered to be leaders in their field and certified agencies support them. Instructor training doesn't just teach you how to dive, but also how to help others. Instructors are also taught basic emergency medical skills and professional sales skills. Instructors in scuba diving have access to discounted gear and parts so that they can buy the most recent kits and replacement parts for half the retail price.
Salary for a Scuba Instructor
The average annual salary for a scuba instructor is around $18,000 to $20,000 but can rise over time. It isn’t a huge salary for a profession, but it’s enough to cover living expenses in many countries. Scuba instructors live overseas, so their take-home pays are higher than average. They may have to move frequently in order to find steady work.
Instructors are responsible for teaching other divers to dive and leading trips. You will find this job very challenging and not boring if you are interested in this career. To attract clients, it's important to be a good communicator and to keep a positive outlook. A good example of this is scuba instructors who have had experience working in the hospitality sector.
Work environment of a scuba instructor
A scuba instructor's work is not an easy one. Scuba instructors often have to be a master of many trades. This requires a variety of skills and a competitive environment. It's not surprising, then, that the demand for scuba instructors far outweighs the supply. Instructors may have to manage the demands of teaching while also managing their personal lives, such as hauling heavy tanks or dealing with high stress environments.
The work environment of a scuba instructor varies based on the type of diving facility or resort they work for. A dive shop-based instructor might work 40 hours per week to teach two classes and average 60 hours per week. A resort-based scuba instructor might work six days a week or even seven days during peak tourist seasons. It is important to keep up to date with new techniques and trends in order to be relevant in the industry.
Career outlook for a scuba instructor
There are many benefits to diving, and being a scuba instructor is one of those benefits. This job is for people who love being in the water, but don't like dealing with violence or people. Scuba instructors have the opportunity to grow and become leaders. Scuba instructors become part of a network and are surrounded by mentors, like-minded people. The career can present challenges such as heavy lifting, insufficient time to train and certify students, and stress management.
Although they might not have traditional job duties, scuba instructors expect to work more then forty hours a weeks, sometimes teaching two classes. Instructors may work seven days per week in busy periods. Instructors at dive resorts typically work 60 hours a week. Scuba instructors typically work 40 hours per week and teach two classes each week.