Is it time to share your passion for the underwater world with others? Do you want to have the coolest side hustle that exists?

Becoming a scuba instructor is a gateway to both of these things. You have the unique opportunity to guide others in their first breaths underwater, show them how cool diving is, and earn an income from it. Becoming a scuba instructor takes time and dedication, but it is an extremely rewarding process.

The instructor course is structured to give you the tools you need to teach others how to scuba dive, as well as other programs like advanced, rescue and divemaster. In the program, you’ll:

  • Learn how to structure classroom presentations.
  • Expand upon diver control techniques from the DM class.
  • Learn how to structure in-water presentations.
  • Dive into the business of diving.
  • Explore marketing strategies.
  • Refine your demonstration quality skills.

Exact prerequisites can be found in the course standards, but generally candidates need to be a divemaster, have ~100 dives logged, and be CPR certified.

The learning portion of the instructor program is called the Instructor Development Course (IDC). The testing phase is the Instructor Evaluation (IE).

IDC time is spent between the classroom, pool and open water. Candidates will observe presentations as well as  give presentations both in in-water and on the surface.  

IE time is typically split over 2 days of examinations in the classroom and the pool. This time is spent to evaluate  the candidate’s ability to explain, evaluate, control and inspire (the 4 characteristics of an accomplished  instructor). 

A sample schedule is below. Please note these times are estimates and the purpose is a general overview, not an  exact schedule. 

  • Collect course deposits and issue materials.
  • Course introduction and expectations.
  • Self study of materials.
  • Classroom 1 – 8 hours
  • Pool 1 – 5 hours
  • Classroom 2 – 8 hours
  • Pool 2 – 5 hours
  • Classroom 3 – 8 hours
  • Open water 1 – 4 hours

I will outline expectations in more detail before the course begins. To start, becoming a dive professional  (someone who accepts money and responsibility in the scuba environment) is extremely rewarding and can be a  great “side hustle” or even full-time job. You are expected to take the class seriously and be prepared for long days  in the water. Your opinions will be challenged, and you will be expected to think outside the box.  

My job is to bring my experience teaching hundreds of people how to scuba dive in quarries, rivers, lakes, springs  and oceans with dozens of boat operators and demographics to you in an easy to digest format. My goal is to  coach the skills and knowledge so that you leave your IEC ready and able to conduct an open water scuba diver  program. I also expect my opinions to be challenged and know that I must think outside the box. 

Program price includes:

  • Course tuition
  • Application fee
  • CPR Instructor program (optional)

Required items outside of program cost:

  • Personal dive equipment that meets professional standards.
  • Instructor materials.
  • Boat fees and crew gratuities.
  • Dive site entry fees.

Why me?

There are plenty of people who teach IDCs and IEs, especially in Florida. My schedule is tighter and program is more expensive than most others. I’m not the best choice for everyone. However, if the stars align and it can work out my program will stand out from the others. I have extensive experience managing a dive retail location, conducting domestic and international travel for small and huge groups, and teaching scuba programs. The experience I have in dive retail gives me a distinctive insight into the operations that make our sport tick, and I’ll share those insights with you. I will strive to impart realistic teaching techniques as well as provide business and marketing strategies that will give you the most possible success entering the marketplace.