Scuba Diving is an exciting, dynamic recreation that supports a growing worldwide industry with many professional opportunities. Owning and operating a dive center or resort, working fulltime on a live-aboard dive boat or teaching in an inland or resort environment are just few possibilities. A Scuba diving career can break you out of a nine-to five office job, or provide you with an enjoyable part-time vocation.

     Like many divers, you may envy the lifestyle of dive professionals you know – they get paid to go diving, to travel, and to introduce people to an exciting recreational activity. Best of all, they have a job they love, doing for a living what you do for fun. Pursuing a professional diving career can be rewarding and lucrative.

     As a PADI professional, you'll enjoy the highest demand in the industry. There are more than 4.000 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts around the world, and an overwhelming majority of dive operations offer PADI programs. At any given time, there are more positions available for PADI leaders than there are professionals to fill them. Whatever diving career you choose, earning a professional PADI credential will get you where you want to go.

PADI DIVEMASTER

     To begin your full or part time career in diving, attain the Divemaster rating. After successfully completing PADI Advanced O.W.D., Emergency First Response and Rescue Diver training, you'll work closely with a PADI Instructor to expand your diving skills and knowledge to the professional level. Then, in the most fulfilling part of the course, you'll learn and practice supervising diving activities and assisting with student training.

     As a certified Divemaster, you may supervise and assist with both training and non-training dive activities in a variety of environments. Dive Centers employ Divemasters to help with classes as well as lead guided dive tours off boats etc. You may also conduct the PADI Discover Local Diving experience and Scuba Review program for certified divers. Non-divers may also enjoy a visit to the underwater world under your supervision during PADI Discover Snorkeling experience and PADI Skin Diver course.

     WARNING: Every diver with a ledership level certification from a diving training organization other than PADI can also participate in a PADI Assistant Instructor course (in order to achieve a PADI ledership level certification).

PADI ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

     The PADI Assistant Instructor (AI) Course not only provides valuable preparation for Open Water Scuba Instructor training, but also expands skills that enhance an AI's professional capacity. During the course you'll concentrate on developing an academic presentation style that allows you to effectively conduct classroom sessions for any PADI course. Upon completion, you may choose to go on to an Instructor Development Course, or use your practical knowledge and skills as a professional Assistant Instructor.

     Having a PADI Assistant Instructor on staff at PADI Dive Centers and Resorts is desirable since you may conduct several PADI programs independently or with minimal guidance from a PADI Instructor. Your qualifications allow the dive center or resort to offer a new dimension in training services to fulfill customer needs. Beyond the responsibilities already earned as a PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor teaching opportunities include:

Certifying students as PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Divers.

Certifying students as PADI Project AWARE Specialists

Conducting the complete Discover Scuba pool experience.

Conducting the EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE Course (after additional training as a EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE Instructor).

Certifying students in non-diving specialties such as Equipment Specialist (after earning PADI Specialty Instructor certification).

     Después de realizar este curso puedes continuar tu formación a través del Curso de PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (O.W.S.I.) o mediante el Curso de Desarrollo de Instructores de PADI (IDC).

PADI INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT COURSE (IDC)

     The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is the heart of the PADI Instructor training process. During the IDC, you'll apply your diving skills and knowledge in learning how to teach the PADI System in the classroom, confined water (pool) and open water. All IDCs are conducted by PADI Course Directors, each a highly experienced instructor trainer who has met strict educational proficiency requirements.

     The PADI IDC stresses development. As a result, you can relax while learning, knowing that mistakes are part of the process. Although there are performance requirements for successfully completing the course, there are no time limitations, so you may continue to progress under your Course Director's guidance. The goal is to create a low-stress environment in which you can learn to function as a PADI Instructor. This makes the IDC challenging, yet an enjoyable learning experience. The final evaluation of your knowledge and skills comes later during the PADI Instructor Examination (IE).

     The standard curriculum for the PADI IDC may be completed in as few as seven days or over an extended period. Each element of the course is supported by the Instructor Candidate Workbook and other educational materials, including the latest PADI videos. Topics include: teaching the PADI Scuba Diver/Open Water Diver course; continuing education courses; Experience Programs; the Recreational Dive Planner; lesson planning and presentation; conducting confined and open water sessions, legal responsibility and risk management; and marketing your PADI courses, to name but a few.

PADI INSTRUCTOR EXAMINATION (IE)

     Professional Instructor Examiners from PADI International or PADI Local Area Offices conduct IEs to confirm that instructor candidates meet the requirements for certification as PADI Instructors.

     Instructor Examiners undergo extensive training and maintain their evaluation skills by attending regularly scheduled updates. Having every IE conducted by authorized PADI International staff ensures an evaluation process that is objective, fair and consistent. The criteria for certification as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor are clear – not arbitrary.

     The IE is a two-day program that evaluates your diving knowledge and skills, as well as your ability to deliver teaching presentations in the classroom, confined water and open water. Although the evaluation is pass/fail, you do have opportunities to retake most initial presentations, if necessary. With the preparation you get from your IDC and some additional independent study, the likelihood of successfully completing your first IE is very high.

SKILL ASSESSMENT

Passing score is 3.0 on each skill

Watermanship: 800 meters snorkel swim.

Open Water Rescue Examination: Response, recovery, rescue breathing, transport and equipment removal of a diver simulating unconsciousness.

General Diving Skills Evaluation: An evaluation of general diving skills made by the staff during all confined and open water sessions.

Skill Evaluation Circuit: Candidates perform a circuit consisting of five skills from the PADI Open Water Course.

KNOWLEDGE

Diving Theory: Closed book examinations with passing score of 75 % on each of the following subjects:

*Physics

*Physiology

*Equipment

*General Skills and Environment

*Recreational Dive Planner (RDP)

Retest: Only one allowed: two or more subjects failed or a failure on the retest results in non-certification

PADI Systems, Standards and Procedures: Open book exam; passing score 75 %; no retested allowed.

TEACHING ABILITY

     Candidates evaluated on sample teaching presentation. Specific assignments are made during the program; candidates should arrive prepared to teach a sample portion of any PADI Diver Course. One retest allowed.

Assignments include:

Academic: One teaching presentation, passing score 3.5

Pool: One skill presentation, passing score 3.4

Open Water: Two skills presentations, passing score average of 3.5 on two skills (no makeup).

ATTITUDE AND PROFESSIONALISM

The examination staff makes an assessment of the candidate's attitude and professionalism.

Areas of assessment include:

Attitude: Consistent with professionalism and the educational goals of PADI.

Professionalism: Dress, Conduct, Interaction with staff and candidates

PADI OPEN WATER SCUBA INSTRUCTOR COURSE (OWSI)

     If you are already a diving educator from another recreational scuba certification organization, or a PADI Assistant Instructor, you can take advantage of dive industry demands by becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. The OWSI program acknowledges that you're an experienced scuba professional who only needs an orientation to the PADI System. This condensed course focuses on first analyzing and understanding the PADI System, and then adapting your instructional style to conducting PADI programs. The OWSI may be completed in as little as thee days, however, the length may vary depending on your needs.

     During the OWSI, you'll use the PADI Instructor Candidate Workbook for self-study and attend staff presentations. Under your Course Directors guidance, you'll practice applying the PADI System in classroom, confined water and open water teaching presentations. Your Course Director has only one goal, to help you become a successful PADI Instructor.

     Following the OWSI, you may choose to attend an Instructor Examination (IE). As the OWSI is your opportunity to evaluate PADI, the IE is PADI's opportunity to become familiar with you. Trough the IE process, every PADI Instructor worldwide undergoes identical, impartial evaluation, ensuring consistent quality.

     After successfully completing the OWSI and IE, you will be certified to teach the PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced O.W.D, Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses. You may also conduct Discover Scuba, D.S. Diving, Scuba Review, Discover Local Diving, Skin Diving and Snorkeling programs.

     Continuing Education: Endless opportunities for a successful career.

     Learning and growth don't stop once you become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. The continuing education philosophy provides you the opportunity to expand the courses you may offer and your income potential.

AI PROGRAM (IDC-Part 1)

Course Orientation

Learning, Instruction and The PADI System

Developing Knowledge Development Presentations

Teaching the Project AWARE and Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialties

PADI Discover Scuba and Snorkeling Programs

Teaching in Confined Water

Conducting Open Water Training Dives

OWSI PROGRAM (IDC-Part 2)

Dive Industry Overview

General Standards and Procedures

Legal Responsibility and Risk Management

The Role of Media and Prescriptive Teaching

PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver Course

How to Teach the Recreational Dive Planner

Teaching Children

The PADI Continuing Education Philosophy

Business Principles for the Dive Professional

Adventures in Diving Program

Specialty Diver Courses and Master Scuba Diver Program

Rescue Diver Course

Divemaster Course

Diver Retention Programs

PADI SPECIALTY INSTRUCTOR

     Earning PADI Specialty Instructor Rating allows you to teach a wide array of exciting courses in special interest areas. Besides giving you the chance to do your favorite type of diving, specialty diver courses allow you to share your interest and expertise with others. Many standardized PADI Specialty Diver courses are supported with videos and books that make them even easier to teach. Taking a Specialty Instructor Training Course from a Course Director provides you with practical experience for conducting these courses and streamlines the application process.

PADI MASTER SCUBA DIVER TRAINER

     When you've earned five Specialty Instructor ratings and certified at least 25 students as PADI divers, you may become a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. Dive Centers and Resorts know that when they employ a Master Scuba Diver Trainer, they'll be able to give customers many choices for pursuing continuing diver education.

PADI INSTRUCTOR

     Because several PADI courses require students to have CPR/First Aid training, becoming a EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE Instructor allows you to offer all-inclusive programs. Students will not have to look elsewhere for the training they need. Also, since MFA is not diving specific, you can offer this training to all your customers, friends and family. Earning the MFA Instructor certification is as easy as completing an instructor training course with a PADI Course Director.

PADI IDC STAFF INSTRUCTOR

     Similar to the partnership between AI's and Instructors, IDC Staff Instructors work with Course Directors as important team members in the Instructor Training process. As an IDC Staff Instructor, you may staff Instructor Development programs and Instructor level continuing education courses. You can also teach the PADI Assistant Instructor course, a responsibility only you and Course Directors share.