Top 10 Things that Suck About Being a Dive Instructor

[@PeterRAllen]

An excellent global and local perspective, Thankyou Mark. The greatest change over the decades has been the change of expectation of some type of business/enterprise owner or club instructor to someone with just a job. The historical changes in the role would be another great opportunity for another video, best wishes for 2024, regards Peter Allen, Australia

[@ppo2424]

The only thing that really bothered me was not having the time on the OW Padi course to get divers through comfortably. All well and good if nobody had issues, but as soon as one or two did, pressure is on. Paperwork was a bit of a pain, as for the rest, all part of the job which I really enjoyed. Preferred being a DM / guide though.

[@lanezodean9004]

same with me

[@larryjacques9037]

As a Insr of 21 yrs the hardest part is the lack of commitment from students. I mean they sign up for a class and the excuses start, I made plans at the last minute so I can’t make the check out dives. I forgot I had class ect. I teach on the northern east coast and people think Instr are at their beck and call, and we have a life and plans too.

[@miloboys3394]

Thanks so much Haven’t been diving because of Covid. I’ll let you know how I get on kind regards

[@harambeexpress]

After a few false starts at various careers I've gained enough experience to know for sure that Instructor is not for me. I'm happy to be an assistant (or possibly dive master) in order to help teach and even take care of some of the parts of an instructors job that sucks... But the full deal - nope, not for me.

[@catchbay]

You live in a slightly old world. SSI, phone apps, dive computer and QR code... Paper is apparently still used in the Padi world. Licensing fees for teachers, etc. is true, as are many other things. But it's work. The work community can lighten the burden if the diving school works properly. For some, acting as a coach is a way to develop their own development. My open water instructor now uses a kiss rebreather.

[@ayescot]

Does Padi registration/ qualification have a expiry date ?

[@asho2341]

Pretty sure for the instructor you have to pay a fee to them annually, if you're talking about your OWD cert it doesn't 'expire' as far as I'm aware, however if you haven't dived for a certain amount of time (I think 12 months?) You have to do a refresher course which just goes over the skills briefly I believe

[@ayescot]

Thanks, off to the Maldives shortly kindest regards

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

As @asho2341 says: at the professional level you have a yearly fee to stay in teaching status. After the 2nd year you need to retrain. In the recreational levels (Open Water to Master Diver) your cert never expires. If you haven't been diving in the previous 6 months many dive operations will require a "ReActivate" which is a quick refresher to make sure you're brushed up on your skills.

[@catchbay]

#askmark It has nothing to do with this video, but maybe you could mention to the channel's followers that there have been problems with an organization known as DAN. Everyone praises them, the local diving equipment store here has their brochures translated into Finnish. YT-channel Dive Talk published a video on January 1, 2024 about their problems with DAN.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Yeah, I've been following all of the details online but, didn't want to release anything until all of the details have been confirmed. DAN released an update the following day on how they plan to improve: dan.org/safety-prevention/diver-safety/divers-blog/abaco-cave-diver-evacuation

[@asho2341]

It'll be interesting to see what changes they make and what the outcomes will be after the fact

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Seems like they're expanding their database and emergency action plans to include more local transport options to provide alternatives in a much faster way. They're also changing how cases are handled so that one person is involved in all aspects so the case doesn't get passed around and details missed.

[@amadeuss3341]

Unless you have your own dive operation - you wouldn't be able to make a decent living. Most of successful instructors work for themselves. J - just O - over B - broke