Make ocean your new office!

Are you passionate about exploring the depths of the ocean and sharing your love for underwater adventures with others? Becoming a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Scuba Instructor might just be the perfect career path for you. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, the journey to becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor is both exhilarating and rewarding. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps, courses, duration, and costs involved in achieving this dream profession.

Step 1: Start with PADI Open Water Diver

For beginners, the first step towards becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor is obtaining the Open Water Diver certification. This is a 3-4 day course and most popular scuba course in the world, it introduces you to basic scuba diving concepts and skills, teaching you how to breathe underwater, control buoyancy, and navigate safely. Course has multiple options depending on the dive location and starts from AED 1,420 excl. VAT.

Step 2: Level up to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

After completing the Open Water Diver course, aspiring instructors should pursue the Advanced Open Water Diver certification. This course enhances your diving skills and introduces you to various specialty dives such as deep diving, navigation, night diving, and more. The Advanced Open Water Diver course usually takes 2-3 days to complete and course has multiple options depending on the dive location and starts from AED 1,495 excl. VAT.

Step 3: PADI Rescue Diver & Emergency First Response (EFR) Course

Next, aspiring instructors must complete the Rescue Diver course, which focuses on accident prevention, emergency management, and rescue techniques. This course is crucial for developing leadership skills and preparing you to handle diving emergencies effectively. The Rescue Diver course typically takes 2-3 days to complete. In addition to the Rescue Diver course, aspiring instructors must complete the Emergency First Response (EFR) course, which covers basic first aid and CPR skills. This course is essential for providing immediate assistance in medical emergencies, both on land and underwater. The EFR course usually takes 1 day to complete. Both these courses can be purchased on a combined offer starting from AED 1727 excl VAT.

Step 4: PADI Divemaster

Once you've obtained the prerequisite certifications (40 logged dives), the next step is to become a PADI Divemaster. The Dive Master course is the first professional level in the PADI system and focuses on leadership, supervision, and assisting instructors during training sessions. The Dive Master course typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete and can be purchased at AED 3580 excl VAT.

Step 6: PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)

After becoming a certified Divemaster, aspiring instructors must enroll in an Instructor Development Course (IDC), which prepares them for the Instructor Examination (IE). The IDC includes classroom sessions, confined water workshops, and open water teaching exercises, covering topics such as teaching methods, dive theory, and risk management. The IDC usually takes 7-14 days to complete and costs approximately AED 7500 excl VAT.

Step 7: Instructor Examination (IE)

The final step towards becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor is passing the Instructor Examination (IE), which evaluates your teaching abilities, dive knowledge, and professionalism. The IE consists of written exams, confined water presentations, and open water teaching demonstrations. The IE typically takes 2-3 days to complete and costs around $600-$1000 and amount is paid directly to PADI.

Becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor as a beginner is an achievable goal with dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence. By following the outlined steps, completing the necessary courses, and investing time and resources in your training, you can embark on a fulfilling career in scuba diving instruction. Remember, the journey to becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor is not just about obtaining certifications but also about cultivating a deep understanding and appreciation for the underwater world while inspiring others to share in your passion.

Already a certified diver or Divemaster and wish to begin your Instructor training, send us an email at info@divecampus.com to schedule a complimentary consultation call with our PADI Course Director.