One of favourite bloggers is back!!! Beth is now General Manager at Anthias Divers in Sharm el Sheikh and here she gives the run down on some things you need to know before becoming a Dive Instructor…

Becoming a dive instructor is all about fabulous diving and sunbathing during your surface interval, not to mention all the dates that you get asked out on, or is it?

Let’s take a look at 7 things you should know before taking that first step on to a life changing course, the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC).

1.You need to be prepared to have friends all over the world and from every culture and career background imaginable.

Personally I think, one of the most amazing fortunes that being a PADI Instructor has provided me with, is all the fabulous people that you get to meet. People from such diverse backgrounds, all in one place with one shared passion that unites us all – scuba diving.

2. You will never be bored.

When you think about it, even if you are on a liveaboard where you guide perhaps four dives a day, you will only usually spend a maximum of four hours underwater. So, what do you do with the other six hours of your working day? Usually it will not be used relaxing on sun loungers, contrary to what my family may believe. The time spent not diving can be used up in many ways, some of which include: giving dive briefings to excite your guests about the dive, which in turn excites you and assisting divers to set up their gear whilst helping them find new ways of adjusting their configuration so that it is suitable for them and the type of diving they are doing, amongst millions of other tasks; including counting rubbish that you have collected but that I think, will need to be a separate blog all on its own.

3. You hold a precious, crystal ball in your hands.

Not the kind that helps you see the future, the precious crystal ball you hold is people’s dreams. Many students have dreamt of becoming a scuba diver for much of their lives and it may have taken them a while to find the time or money to do so. This is something that you need to keep in the back of your mind from the minute you meet the guest for the first time, to the very end of the course where you certify that student as a diver. You get to make dreams a reality.

4. You will get tired.

None of us are superhuman, although some of us believed so in our youth. Working as a dive instructor usually involves long hours and few days off during high season. You lose track of days and forget about birthdays (sorry to everyone who I forgot last year). Despite the above, even if you are tired you still need to get up and teach the world to dive but it is easy; to coin a phrase “smile and the world smiles with you” is the best philosophy. If you meet your students with a big smile, they in return smile back and you will find all the energy that you need to teach your students.

5. You need to have a good quality IDC with a patient, thorough PADI Course Director.

Your IDC will be the grounding for your teaching style for years to come, it is also fairly expensive. For these reasons, it is important to receive the best foundation you can.

Shop around for a Course Director that you feel comfortable with and a dive center that you feel can be supportive. For example, PADI IDC 5* center Anthias Divers, Sharm el Sheikh has a great relaxed atmosphere driven by owner and PADI Course Director, James Wilkinson. The whole staff at Anthias is there to provide cups of tea and hugs where required, in addition to a high quality of education to get you on your way to achieving your goal. It is a true team effort.

6. You will receive a new passport.

Not a new nationality, but a certification that will allow you to work anywhere in the world that your heart desires. If you join any one of the many social media sites or the PADI pro’s site, you will find many jobs advertised all over the world – from Iceland to Indonesia, the choice is yours.

7. You will get to live your dream.

There are very few people in this life who are lucky enough to say that they are honestly living their dream but if you become a dive instructor, you can be one of the lucky few. There is no feeling better than waking up in the morning and looking forward to go to work and then spending your free time with brilliant people and maybe, even a fun dive or two.

Inspired? Take a look at www.anthiasdivers.com to find out more!

If you’re serious about taking the plunge, Anthias Divers have a PADI IDC running this February! Email info@anthiasdivers.net to book your spot!