How to Start a Diving School

Starting and running a diving school can be expensive, time consuming and stressful, as with the start of all new businesses. Unlike many new businesses, though, start up costs for a diving business can be exorbitant with the cost of all the scuba equipment. Here are a few steps necessary to start a dive school and make the road a little easier.

Instructions

1. Devise an amazing business plan by talking with the owners of other diving schools and working with a business plan writer or business plan software.

2. Talk to your bank, financial institution or other money source about the money to start the diving school.

3. Put together a list of the equipment you will need. This should include full diving equipment, diving instructional materials, safety equipment, administrative equipment and any other diving related materials you will need at the start. To save money, order as much as you can from one supply company, saving you in shipping, and give you the convenience of one-stop shopping.

4. Secure a location. For the cheapest way, find a small building to lease that has all the amenities you need. You can also move to a larger one or build your own later. Or consider sharing space with another business to offset costs, think a dive equipment shop, convenient for your students and good for their business.

5. Become certified in the areas of diving yourself. If you are not already a certified diver, diving instructor, visual tank inspector and licensed to operate a dive business, get started. You also need to make sure any employees and staff you hire are also certified in all areas they will be instructing. It's also a good idea to do a group certification in CPR, First Aid and become first responders.