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How long does it take to become a GREAT Dive Instructor?

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By: Jon Kieren

As an Instructor Trainer, I am often asked about the process and timeline to become an SDI Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor.  The easy way to answer is to quote the minimum standards as listed in the SDI Standards and Procedures (also found on the SDI course description page HERE), and begin the discussion about getting a course scheduled.  With so much buzz in the industry lately about degradation of training at all levels, I felt it would be beneficial to write about what the MINIMUM standards set by most training agencies (as well as the WRSTC) really mean and what it REALLY takes to become a GREAT dive instructor.

The “zero to hero” Open Water diver to instructor flow path

Personally, I am a product of the “zero to hero” Open Water diver to instructor flow path.  I was an inexperienced open water diver with less than 20 dives spread out over about six years when I decided I wanted to become a dive instructor.  I walked into my local dive shop in Wisconsin, and informed them that I was moving to the Virgin Islands in 4 months, and I wanted to work there as a dive instructor.  3 and half months later, I was an Open Water Instructor and ready to get on the plane.  Fast forward 9 years and I am a rebreather and cave instructor, advanced trimix instructor trainer, and instructor trainer evaluator.  Those 15 years of diving and teaching have included a lot of mediocre courses taught, hard lessons learned and, frankly dangerous situations that I am lucky to have escaped without incident.  Many of those situations presented themselves because I simply did not know what I didn’t know due to inexperience.  I met all the minimum requirements set by the training agencies as I progressed, but I never really understood what that minimum requirement meant and who it was for.

To set these minimum standards, a group of people (not always active instructors or even active divers) sit in a room and decide what the minimum requirement should be for any standard based on the best-case scenario to create a competent diver or instructor at a given level.  This means perfect conditions (warm, calm, and clear water), perfect students (comfortable in the water, excited to be there, actively engaged in the training, etc.), no equipment issues, and no distractions.  It’s not entirely realistic, but it’s a minimum standard, a starting point.  From there, it is intended that instructors and trainers add time, skills, assistants, and reduce ratios, etc. based on the not so optimal situations they are presented with.

So, if the industry’s minimum standards aren’t universally enough, how long should it take?  I don’t think that can really be answered in years, number of dives or certification cards.  My experiences have shown that what is far more valuable is time in the water in varied conditions and a professional’s drive to improve themselves.

If you’re just taking courses to check off boxes you never have time to apply your knowledge

Those who take courses to check off boxes and just move on to the next level never really have an opportunity apply the knowledge and skill set, and it never really sinks in.  I’ve heard a lot of people advise that an aspiring instructor jump straight from their divemaster course into the instructor development course because the DM info and skills are “fresh” so the candidate will have an easier time regurgitating the information.  I can understand that theory, but it’s a scary thought that a DM with little to no practical experience working with students and guiding divers would have an easier time in an IDC than a seasoned professional.  That would make me question the quality of the DM program and whether that information has truly been mastered by the candidate.

My personal advice to aspiring dive instructors?  Knock out a couple hundred or so dives in varied conditions (not just your local quarry or even just warm water vacation diving), and go through your DM course.  Spend a year or so working actively as a DM, crewing dive boats and assisting classes and continue to develop your own personal diving skills by taking diver level courses.  Even if you aren’t interested in technical diving, take an intro to tech class, for example.  Growing your personal knowledge base and experience in different facets of diving will give you a better perspective of how and why to teach many of the basics.  On top of that, you will have the opportunity to learn from more experienced instructors who will be valuable mentors in your growth as a professional.

As a newly minted educator, start slowly

Once you have built a well-rounded foundation of true diving experience, select an instructor trainer that you know personally and respect as an educator.  Your IDC should not be a “read the bullet points out of the instructor guide” process, but one that takes the knowledge, skills and experience you have as a dive professional and uses it to mold you into an educator.  As a newly minted educator, start slowly.  Work with small groups of students (1 or 2) at the entry level, and take time after each class to reflect on how things went and where you can adjust to improve the next time around.

Continue to develop your instructional skills by taking specialty instructor courses

Many agencies allow “experience based” upgrades, which is fine for average instructors.  But if you truly want to be a great educator, learn from an IT that has experience teaching at that level.  Trust me, you’ll pick up some valuable tips on how to teach more effectively at that level.

So, to answer the original question, “how long does it take to become a great dive instructor”?  The answer is “forever”.  Becoming a great instructor is something we should always strive for, but also know that there will always be something more for us to learn no matter how experienced we are.  Take your time and enjoy the ride; the journey is the best part and as dive instructor, you can make that journey last a lifetime.


To find out more about International Training, visit www.tdisdi.com.

From its humble beginning in 1994 to today, the group of training agencies Scuba Diving International (SDI), Technical Diving International (TDI), and Emergency Response Diving International (ERDI) form one of the largest diving certification agencies in the World – International Training. With 24 Regional Offices servicing more than 100 countries, the company today far exceeds the original vision the founders had when they conceived the idea on a napkin, sitting at a kitchen table in the early 1990’s.

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Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire

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idc

Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.

Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.

Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:

  • 12 April
  • 5 July,
  • 20 September
  • 29 November

Partnership with Casita Palma

If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.

Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.

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Scubility: Achieving Success through Adaptability

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Introduction to Scubility

Being a scuba diving professional, I am always fascinated by the beauty of the underwater world, filled with colorful coral and a variety of marine species. Every dive site around the world has something unique to offer, attracting the diving community to immerse themselves time and time again. The feeling of being underwater is a unique experience, akin to being in space, where you can escape Earth’s gravity to enjoy the freedom of movement. However, water sports are often believed to be accessible only to those with good physical strength, leaving others to only dream of being there.

The Genesis of Scubility

Scubility was developed as a way to help people with disabilities experience the magic of scuba diving or snorkeling. A few years back we became involved in the SDI Scubility program as a way to use our diving experience and knowledge to bring disabled people beneath the ocean. To empower them with a feeling where they can forget their disability and limitations. The image of a Wheelchair Hero from the movie ‘AVATAR’, who could walk and run only in dreams, was the first seed of the idea for a local Scubility program.

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Launching the Scubility Course

Since 2014, my friend has dedicated himself to helping disabled people. Knowing that I am an SDI/TDI Instructor Trainer, he called upon me to help bring them into the world of scuba diving. Captivated by this idea, I decided to offer a special diving course adapted for disabled people: the SDI Scubility Course. The sole purpose was to bring happiness and a feeling of belonging back to our precious disabled students, by giving them an immersive experience under the sea. Perhaps, the mother ocean has a way of treating us all equally, to rebuild confidence and give hope of being alive.

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Adapting Diving for All Abilities

Initially, most Scubility divers in our programs were wheelchair users. The main challenge was to design a unique technique suitable for each Scubility diver, based on their limitations. To do so, we set up a protocol keeping in mind all the scenarios that could arise during diving, starting from boarding the boat, to diving, and the communication signals during the dive. Training was also provided to volunteer participants, mostly instructors and assistant divers.

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The Scubility Program in Action

In the last four events, we have enrolled many Scubility divers in the program. We also have a team of trained instructors and assistants; without them, this wouldn’t be possible. The main objective was to make safe and comfortable diving experiences for Scubility students. In fact, in the last Scubility program, which concluded in March 2023, we included a blind diver along with six other Scubility divers. We also had 8 instructors and more than 10 assistant participants to make this possible.

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The main challenge for blind divers is to set up a communication signal. So, I designed a unique ‘touch signal’ for blind students where they just need to touch an arm to convey a message. For example, when an instructor touches your arm twice, it means he is asking, “Are you okay?”. In case of any emergency during the dive, the blind diver just needs to squeeze the arm of the instructor to get his attention to solve the problem. For each Scubility diver, there were at least two personnel, an instructor, and an assistant, assigned.

Impact and Emotions of Scubility

The most satisfying experience of this program was to see Scubility divers happy, with emotional, teary eyes. I could imagine that probably for the first time, or perhaps the only time, some of them could walk, stand, and move again underwater without a wheelchair, feeling alive again. Seeing a courageous Scubility diver overcoming all challenges and obstacles to make it possible definitely inspires me to organize more events like this.

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“Scuba Diving for All” Event

The biggest local Scubility program, named “Scuba Diving for All,” was organized in Khao Lak, Phang-nga Province, south of Thailand, from October 30 to November 5, 2018. We invited international Scubility participant divers for this event. Leading up to this program, we put in lots of effort, preparing hotels and resorts in a friendly design, making sure of choosing good dive sites, and above all, to bring a smile to our precious Scubility students.

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I hope that this endeavor will serve as an inspiration for people worldwide to achieve what may seem impossible, while also raising awareness about the importance of charity and kindness in our society. I look forward to welcoming you soon to our joyful underwater realm.

As an SDI TDI & Scubility IT, Dan Phutthakhun Prungkananon, owner of All Star Diving Academy located in Thailand, has a deep-rooted passion for ensuring safety and fun in the water. Keep up with Dan and the All Star Diving Academy via Instagram  or Facebook and by checking out their Dive Center Facebook.

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