Instructor — What It Is and Why It Matters
A scuba Instructor is a fully certified dive professional authorized to teach independent scuba courses, certify new divers, and issue certifications on behalf of a training agency. Instructor Development Courses (IDC) and Instructor Examinations (IE) are rigorous programs that test teaching ability, dive skills, rescue readiness, and knowledge of standards and procedures.
Instructors must maintain active teaching status, keep their first aid and CPR certifications current, log continuing education, and carry professional liability insurance. They are responsible for the safety and training quality of every student they certify. Becoming an instructor is the standard path for those who want to make diving their career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it take to become a scuba instructor?
You need Divemaster certification, at least 60 to 100 logged dives (varies by agency), current first aid and CPR, and completion of an Instructor Development Course (IDC) followed by passing the Instructor Examination (IE). The process typically takes 1 to 2 years of diving experience from Open Water through Divemaster.
Can instructors teach all specialties?
New instructors can teach core courses (Open Water, Advanced, Rescue) immediately. Teaching specialties (night, deep, wreck, nitrox, etc.) typically requires additional specialty instructor ratings, which are obtained through additional training and evaluations.
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