PADI....

The PADI Dive Professional: Going Pro

With the continued growth of scuba diving, it is an excellent time to pursue a professional career in the recreational dive industry. PADI, the leader in dive training, offers career-minded diving enthusiasts a proven educational system through which professional training can lead to a rewarding life as a PADI dive professional.

There are more than 3,000 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts around the world and, typically, there are more positions available for PADI professionals than there are to fill them. It's definitely best to go pro with PADI!

The first step is PADI Divemaster. During this course, you'll work closely with a PADI Instructor to expand your diving skills and knowledge. This exciting course is designed to train you as a diving supervisor. You may oversee general diving activities, along with serving as an underwater guide and fulfilling duties as an instructional assistant.

Upon successful completion of the PADI Divemaster course, you'll find your skills in demand by PADI Dive Centers, PADI Resorts, and PADI Instructors. Just a few of the many activities with which you can become involved include conducting the PADI Discover Snorkeling Experience, Skin Diver certification, and PADI Scuba Review, as well as serving as an instructional assistant to a PADI Instructor.

Next, the Assistant Instructor course is designed to provide PADI Divemasters (and those certified to leadership levels with other diver training organizations) with additional training as instructional assistants and dive educators. The course builds upon your abilities to organize and supervise dive activities, while concentrating on developing teaching skills.

As a PADI Assistant Instructor, you'll be eligible to assume the same responsibilities as those of a Divemaster, along with many additional duties based on your training as an Assistant Instructor. Instructional opportunities include: the PADI Discover Scuba Experience; the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course; and, with additional training, PADI Specialty courses like Equipment Specialty, Medic First Aid, and the Oxygen Administration Distinctive Specialty.

Next, the PADI Instructor Development course (IDC) is the heart of the PADI Instructor Training process. During the IDC, you'll apply your diving skills and knowledge to learning how to teach the PADI system in the classroom, confined water, and open water. A sampling of the IDC curriculum includes: Teaching the PADI Open Water Diver Course; Conducting Confined and Open Water Sessions; Legal Responsibility and Risk Management; Marketing Your PADI Courses; and much more.

If you're already a diving educator with another recreational certification organization, you can take advantage of dive industry demands by becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. The PADI Instructor Orientation course provides an orientation to the PADI system.

The final step necessary to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor is the Instructor Examination (IE). Conducted by PADI International or Local Area Office Instructor Examiners, the IE is an objective, fair, and consistent evaluation of an instructor candidate's ability to conduct PADI courses. Upon successful completion of the IE, candidates are awarded the prestigious PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification. It's the best way to go pro!