How to Become a SCUBA Instructor in 6 Months

A scuba diving instructor is expected to have the scope and depth of experience and skills to teach new divers, watch out for possible emergencies and share their passion about the underwater world. Scuba instructors undergo many levels of training and refresher courses to maintain their professional status. The prerequisites to qualify for training as a PADI Open Water Instructor include 100 logged dives; current dive professional certification for at least six months; certified Emergency First Response Instructor; and being a current CPR and First Aid provider. Completing and passing the rigorous scuba instructor course requires time, endurance, dedication and money.

Things You'll Need

• Ocean dive gear
• Dive log book
• Instructor course material
• Dive buddy(ies)
• Pool access
• Optional: Emergency First Response Instructor material and application, medical statement form, passport photo

Instructions

1. Check that you meet the minimum prerequisites for training (asterisked items can be completed in a short time frame):
   At least 18 years old
   Certified diver for at least six months
   Certified dive professional rating (i.e., PADI Divemaster or Assistant Instructor) for at least six months
   60 logged dives that include: night diving, deep dives, navigation diving
   Current certification in CPR and First Aid within the last two years (24 months)
   Certified Emergency First Response Instructor*
   Current medical authorization form within the last year (12 months)*

2. Register for and complete the Emergency First Response Instructor course for certification, if needed.

3. Contact your physician to complete and sign the medical statement, if needed (see the Resource section for downloadable document).

4. Plan and complete many dive excursions in your free time (with certified buddies or dive professionals) to expand your experience (be sure to log these dives). Important note: 100 logged dives are required to be eligible to take the Instructor exams at the end of the Instructor Development Course (IDC).

5. Schedule skills training and register for the IDC at your local dive center qualified by PADI to provide this course.

6. Practice your underwater skills and train for the physical tests whenever you can access a pool.

7. Attend all classwork and practical skill evaluations, per the IDC schedule.

8. Make necessary arrangements for travel and lodging for the Open Water skills evaluation section.

9. Complete and pass all sections of the Instructor Exam. Be sure to include a passport-size photo to be processed with your certification card, if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a short time frame to complete your goal of becoming a scuba diver in six months, take this time off so that you can devote your time and energy to gaining experience (by diving), practicing and studying.

• Verify that all prerequisites are completed and submitted and that knowledge reviews are complete before attending the Instructor Development Course since the course often follows an accelerated format (leaving little to no time for other activities).

• Consider taking the Instructor Exam at the PADI Americas office, located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California (more opportunities scheduled).

• Be sure to monitor your physical fitness to avoid injury and decompression illness with a dive computer and diving with a buddy.

References

• PADI: Open Water Scuba Instructor Courses

Resources

• PADI: Medical Statement Form
• PADI: Instructor Examination Calendar Search Page