Instructors / Larry

[greyzen]

So I would really like to hear, privately would be more appropriate I think, on getting into an instructor program. I have always loved teaching and training others and this seems like a normal progression for me in the SCUBA community.

Please, if you are an instructor or LDS (Larry you both, please PM me ) can you please send me a PM about what to expect financially?

Please also, I am aware that I am a newbie to the dive community, but planning ahead never hurt anyone.

[ScubaToys Larry]

A lot of folks might have this question, so I'll go through it here...

First off, you are going to have to get some dives in. Minimum is 100 dives - but of course you will pick some up during the training. Must have your advanced OW, Rescue, then you can become a TA (training assistant... basically a JR Divemaster) and start working on your DM. That is the long one... lots of self study academics plus some group class work, and working lots of classes. Plus some evenings in the pool doing skills. Can be done quicker, but most people work on their DM for at least 6 months.

Then you can take the instructor program - normally 3 - 4 weekends, or an intensive week. By the time you go through all those steps, plan on about $2200 or so with all the materials, plus how ever much it will cost you to get in the non-DM dives. (As a Dive Master or DM candidate - your entry to the parks are normally free if helping with a class.

That should give you a ball park.

Now we are a Naui facility, so as soon as you are an instructor, you can also teach any standard specialties without any additional charges. For Padi, plan on another $50 for each specialty you want to teach.

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

...As a Dive Master or DM candidate - your entry to the parks are normally free if helping with a class.

Larry, sorry to disagree with you here, but I have yet at either CSSP or Windy Point to be given free anything as a DM candidate working a class, even when pointing out that was the reason I was there.

Is there some sort of Secret Code that I didn't hear about?

[greyzen]

First off, great info.

My main concern wasn't how much it would cost, but rather, how much from an instructors stand point I can expect to receive on average by instructing.

For example, if I am an instructor and work, I would assume that a certain compensation would be provided for my services from the shops I work at.
I would guess, that should I choose and the shop want/need me to, I could opt to work exclusively for that shop and would perhaps be compensated better?

Thats why I was asking about it in PM's, money always brings out the best in people.

I'm just curious as I love to teach people, it's something I enjoy, if it helps to negate the costs of the sport. I know you get certain discounts with insurances/etc. but is it something you do because you love to do it?

When I become an instructor (I plan on diving my little heart out for a while and taking specific courses to help me become a better teacher) do I just stand outside of some LDS with a cardboard sign:

Open Water - 100.00
Advanced Open Water - 150.00
Specialty - 75.00/class
Wed special - buy AOW and one specialty, get free picture with coach!!

What are the 'going rates' if you will?

[greyzen]

Originally Posted by PlatypusMan

Larry, sorry to disagree with you here, but I have yet at either CSSP or Windy Point to be given free anything as a DM candidate working a class, even when pointing out that was the reason I was there.

Is there some sort of Secret Code that I didn't hear about?

Yeah, Windy POint gives half-price to class instructors, and free fills.
(least they did my instructor...)

[ScubaToys Larry]

Originally Posted by PlatypusMan

Larry, sorry to disagree with you here, but I have yet at either CSSP or Windy Point to be given free anything as a DM candidate working a class, even when pointing out that was the reason I was there.

Is there some sort of Secret Code that I didn't hear about?

Hmmm... It's been a year or two since I've actually done classes there... I didn't know the DM candidates where being charged... Not the actual DM's though I imagine...

OK, add in a few park fees there!

[Formerly 45yroldNewbie]

Originally Posted by greyzen

First off, great info.

My main concern wasn't how much it would cost, but rather, how much from an instructors stand point I can expect to receive on average by instructing.

For example, if I am an instructor and work, I would assume that a certain compensation would be provided for my services from the shops I work at.
I would guess, that should I choose and the shop want/need me to, I could opt to work exclusively for that shop and would perhaps be compensated better?

Thats why I was asking about it in PM's, money always brings out the best in people.

I'm just curious as I love to teach people, it's something I enjoy, if it helps to negate the costs of the sport. I know you get certain discounts with insurances/etc. but is it something you do because you love to do it?

When I become an instructor (I plan on diving my little heart out for a while and taking specific courses to help me become a better teacher) do I just stand outside of some LDS with a cardboard sign:

Open Water - 100.00
Advanced Open Water - 150.00
Specialty - 75.00/class
Wed special - buy AOW and one specialty, get free picture with coach!!

What are the 'going rates' if you will?

Well I am curious too! Does Instructor/DM pay enough to help defray the costs of scuba gear and perhaps enough extra to pay for some nice trips too?

[thesmoothdome]

Greyzen,

In terms of compensation, back in the early-mid 90s when I was actively instructing, I made $50.00 per student per class for OW classes. AOW, Rescue or Specialties were paid at a rate of $65.00 per student. In addition, the shops that I worked for gave instructors significant discounts on gear.

Truth is that after 6 months of working in my first shop for 8 hours a day for $6 an hour and teaching diving at night, I realized that this was not going to be the end all answer in terms of a career. You're never going to live comfortably as a dive instructor alone.

As a 15 year veteran of the classroom, my advice would be enjoy diving and get your teaching credential to make a living from. If you still want to donate your time to teaching students, go for it. It is a significant investment and as much as I enjoyed teaching diving, it is a demanding job. Coupled with a demanding full time job to pay my mortgage, I opted to shelve teaching dive classes.

Go for it if it makes you happy. I'm glad I did and someday, maybe, I'll go back and teach a few classes. Sigh....back to the IDC for me .

[thesmoothdome]

Originally Posted by 45yroldNewbie

Well I am curious too! Does Instructor/DM pay enough to help defray the costs of scuba gear and perhaps enough extra to pay for some nice trips too?

Extra? Nice trips? Never when I was teaching. If you are lucky, you'll work for a dive shop that offers group trips and lets you run a few. Then, you'll usually go for free as a working member of the shop.

Unfortunately, with the expenses involved in the sport, shop approved gear, insurance, upkeep, gas to and from everwhere, you're not going to make a lot of money teaching classes on the side. It'll keep you diving though, so if that's the goal, it's well worth it.

[greyzen]

Originally Posted by thesmoothdome

Greyzen,

In terms of compensation, back in the early-mid 90s when I was actively instructing, I made $50.00 per student per class for OW classes. AOW, Rescue or Specialties were paid at a rate of $65.00 per student. In addition, the shops that I worked for gave instructors significant discounts on gear.

Truth is that after 6 months of working in my first shop for 8 hours a day for $6 an hour and teaching diving at night, I realized that this was not going to be the end all answer in terms of a career. You're never going to live comfortably as a dive instructor alone.

As a 15 year veteran of the classroom, my advice would be enjoy diving and get your teaching credential to make a living from. If you still want to donate your time to teaching students, go for it. It is a significant investment and as much as I enjoyed teaching diving, it is a demanding job. Coupled with a demanding full time job to pay my mortgage, I opted to shelve teaching dive classes.

Go for it if it makes you happy. I'm glad I did and someday, maybe, I'll go back and teach a few classes. Sigh....back to the IDC for me .

Hey thanks Smooth, unfortunatly I am way to shallow to actually be a teacher full time due to the lack of funds they are given.

prof. teachers are like cops/fireman in my opinion... they always need raises to do the job they do.

That being said, allow me to elaborate a bit more

I'm greedy and love money. I know it isn't the best combo in the world but it was how I was made. I love scuba, it's something I've been obsessed with for many years and now that I've finally broken the seal it is time to go whole-hog. The problem is the cost... I hate hobbies that cost more than about 20 bucks a month. If I am working towards a goal, say DM, I will easily pay for and achieve my goal while working full time at the other things I do.

Now, if I add in Instruction classes, my hobby has now become part of my working and work-out regime. Helping me to stay fit by doing pool work/checkout dives/etc. as well as providing a source (though small) of income.

If it is pretty standard to pay instructors the above listing, that seems worth it to me...though I would really still enjoy hearing from others.