How to Become a Scuba Instructor

If two of your interests are scuba diving and teaching, you might consider combining the two and becoming a scuba instructor. Scuba instructors teach divers the mechanics, safety and other aspects of scuba diving. If you're willing to meet all the criteria and pass all the necessary training, you can become a scuba diving instructor and start a rewarding career doing what you love.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Graduate high school, and be at least 18 years old. Though there are no educational requirements to become a scuba instructor, attending college courses in marine biology or environmental science is helpful.

2. Pass a physical fitness examination, and get certified in CPR and first aid.

3. Learn about scuba gear and how it all works. Attain expert knowledge about all necessary equipment. Part of being a scuba instructor is being capable of recognizing defective diving equipment and preventing malfunctions or any problems with scuba gear.

4. Receive certification from either the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) or the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI). You must have diving experience, pass a written examination and log a certain number of dives to be eligible for certification.

5. Meet all the requirements as stated in the previous step to become a candidate for diving instruction after you are a dive master. Complete between 50 and 100 dives, and enroll in scuba diving instructor courses at an accredited school.

6. Pass all written and practical examinations the diving instructor school gives.

7. Pursue specialty training and certification in such areas as night diving, cave diving or deep-sea diving to increase your value when you seek a scuba instructor position.

Tips & Warnings

• You need strong interpersonal skills to be a scuba instructor; you must be able to explain procedures clearly, deal with problems and complaints and hold the attention of those you're teaching.