LEAVE EVERYTHING and become a SCUBA INSTRUCTOR?

Someone asked me if they should leave everything behind and become a SCUBA Instructor, and how I did that. This is my answer.
What do you guys think? Did any of you take a huge risk in making the choice to start a career as a dive instructor?
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[@stedebonnet1340]

You sir, are wise beyond your years. I did just this 28 yrs ago and I found a moderate level of success. Moved my family to the Caribbean and opened a small dive shop. After 10 yrs of teaching and 5 yrs of shop ownership I was completely burned out. It also took its toll on my family/marriage. In the end, I sold it all and fell back on my trade - aviation. That started a whole new "cake recipe" where luck was not such a big component. My advice would be to make sure you have a good paying trade to fall back on because being in the dive industry is a constant financial struggle. It's a lot of fun but you pay a big price in stress and financial limitations. Remember - someday you will want to have a home of your own on that beautiful island....or maybe that sweet liveaboard boat. Or you could end up with kids to be responsible for. I could not afford any of those things working 70-80 hrs a week in the dive business. The reality is that - my friends who tended bar or waited tables made a LOT more money than I did. And they could go diving most any day they felt like it. ALSO - (very important) - Realize that health and medical issues do catch up to us all eventually. As a dive instructor, you are only one medical issue away from being out of work. Anything from a sprained ankle to ear injury to back trouble will send you into a financial crisis. I am now 55 and getting back into teaching scuba but I am doing it because I loved it...not for the money. In fact, I'll be happy if it only breaks even. And I will not make it my only means of support. It's a nice fantasy and many younger people will consider themselves successful in it until a bit of reality happens in their life. In short...do it, but have a backup plan. And if you do it full time, think realistically about the next 10-20 yrs.

[@DiveSAGA]

It's definitely important to do it with a lot of thought put into it and a realistic approach. I agree!

[@jaydaace101]

This has been on my mind for 6 years. Hoping to get my rescue this summer, might go further if I can afford it. I don't want to be a carpenter forever....

[@DiveSAGA]

It's a great career choice for those willing to put in the work and the planning! Let me know if I can help you on the path!

[@daveb6345]

Great words of wisdom mate, because most will NOT accept responsibility for their own failure!

[@DiveSAGA]

And then they will tell others that it's impossible. That's why it's important to be accountable for your own goals!

[@daveb6345]

@@DiveSAGA 100% mate.

[@classicog1639]

Thank you for the information brother

[@DiveSAGA]

You're very welcome! Hope it was useful!

[@pantrup4866]

I had put everything on one card and invested all my money to became a Scuba Instructor and never regretted it! This job profession is wonderful!! And yes, the luck factor was quite high for me but you never know how lucky you will be ;)

[@DiveSAGA]

So happy to hear we share a similar story where it all worked out. I'm convinced that if you put your heart in it, it will all work out but it's indeed also important to count your blessings and be grateful for that little bit of luck!

[@adrenalinelife945]

Good advice

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! We do our best to be real! :)

[@kotro88]

You make your own luck. ;)

[@mohamedklileche7382]

It sounds like a plan for my early retirement .. Where there is I Will there is a Way...

[@DiveSAGA]

Absolutely. Follow your passion and you will make it happen!

[@mohamedklileche7382]

@@DiveSAGA where are u located?

[@DiveSAGA]

@@mohamedklileche7382 we run Instructor training in Utila, Honduras and in Mallorca, Spain

[@mohamedklileche7382]

@@DiveSAGA Well I am in Montreal Canada ... Hopefully I will be able to take the course most likely in Honduras .. Gracias !!!

[@DiveSAGA]

@@mohamedklileche7382 sounds good! Let me know when you are ready! :)

[@wahidsamy2977]

Good day nick, I would like to inquire at what age have you started this career and i want to know if there is a retirement age for the diving career or not?!! I'm 28 years old and not sure if it's still a good age to start or it's just too late... Thanks for your time in advance.

[@DiveSAGA]

Hi! I started at age 26 but I have trained both 18 year olds and 60 year olds. As long as you are medically cleared and you think you have a good career plan, I would say go for it at any age.

[@refractalkine]

I started instructing at 26, while doing a PhD in marine biology. The title of this video says it all in my opinion - you do have to be ALL IN in order to make being a SCUBA instructor worthwhile.

[@DiveSAGA]

@@refractalkine I definitely agree. Although with marine bio I would think there's ways to combine, depending on what you do?

[@refractalkine]

​@@DiveSAGA you would think so, wouldn't you? diving for research with a university is VERY restrictive (happy to give examples :P ), and i was never going to be able to develop my instructing career while only being able to teach weekends. it came down to a decision as to whether i was going to ditch my career in marine biology for dive instructing, or vice versa.

[@DiveSAGA]

@@refractalkine I'm sorry to hear that. There's many research centers around the world who could use someone who's qualified for both. I hope you still dive for fun!