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FAQ

What are the prerequisites for becoming a scuba instructor?

A PADI Divemaster who has been a certified diver for six months may enroll in the PADI Instructor Development Course. You also need:

  • At least 60 logged dives and 100 dives to attend an IE.
  • Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.
  • A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months
  • You also need to be an Emergency First Response Instructor, but you can earn this rating during your instructor training.

What are the prerequisites for the Divemaster course?

PADI Rescue Divers who are at least 18 years old may enroll in the PADI Divemaster course. You also need to have:

Note that qualifying certifications from other diver training organization may apply

What if I have a yes on my medical questionaire?

All professional level courses require a medical signed by a physician, so you will have to visit your doctor for clearance anyway.

What is the difference between a DAN Instructor and an EFR Instructor?

DAN is a non profit that serves the diving community through the development of safety materials, training programs and resources. They offer courses in:

  • Basic Life Support, CPR and 1st Aid
  • Hazardous Marine Life Injuries
  • Neurological Assessments
  • Emergency Oxygen Provider
  • CPR for the Health Care Provider
Emergency First Response also follows ILCOR Standards and offer courses in:
  • Primary and Secondary Care with AED
  • CPR in the Workplace
  • Care for Children
Both provide a great service to the industry and to people in general with training that can help save lives.

I’m a Divemaster with another training agency, but I want to be a PADI Instructor… What do I do?

Enroll in the course, it's no big deal. You may want to purchase the PADI training materials for some of the other courses for a reference, and you will have to bring copies of all of your certification cards because we will not be able to look you up in the PADI system.

How much does it cost to become a PADI Divemaster?

Taking a Divemaster program with us is composed of several parts:

    Student Materials
  • Divemaster Crewpack, $381.87
  • Dive Theory Online, e-learning $144.00
    RAD Tuition
  • Divemaster Program $850.00
  • PADI Fees*paid directly to PADI
  • Processing Fees $128.00

How much does it cost to become a PADI Scuba Instructor?

Taking a complete PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) with RAD consists of several classes that have been combined to help you become a successful scuba instructor.

    Course Materials
  • Digital IDC Crewpack $1141.80
  • Dive Theory Online $150.00
  • EFR Instructor Startup Kit $447.20
    RAD Tuition
  • Assistant Instructor $850.00
  • Open Water Scuba Instructor $850.00
  • EFR Instructor $275.00
  • *courses can be bundled for a total price of $1550.00
    PADI Fees *paid directly to PADI
  • Instructor Examination Fee and Application Processing $715.00
  • IDC Application Fee $199.00

How long does it take to become a scuba instructor?

If you have met all of the prerequisites for the program, class is designed to take six days, starting on a Saturday with the Instructor Examination being done on the second weekend. It is important that you have completed all of the assigned e-learning prior to the start date.

    However, to start the course, you must have completed:
  • Open Water
  • Advanced Open Water
  • Rescue Diver
  • EFR
  • Divemaster
also, you must have been a certified diver for at least one year with at least 100 logged dives.

How much will I make as a scuba instructor?

This is a very difficult question because there is no standard pay for scuba instructors. Some shops bring instructors on at hourly pay while others pay per student. Other instructors work independently of a shop, and set their own rates. My honest suggestion is to set your rate where you are happy with your income. During your IDC, we will have a course pricing seminar to help you uncover the hidden costs in teaching scuba and adjust your pricing accordingly.

What does it mean to be a dive professional?

Dive professionals are highly qualified, highly trained divers with certifications that allow them to be insured. They should be role model divers with exemplary skills who act as good stewards for scuba diving and our aquatic environment.