How to Become a PADI Instructor

Individual courses or GoPRO Program?

Are you a new diver thinking about making a career of it? Even if you’re currently an Open Water diver, you can become a scuba instructor in 4 months. 

Completing a GoPRO Program is a quick and easy way to change your career.  You’ve probably already seen that scuba diving can open countless doors, and becoming a dive instructor will increase the opportunities that you will have to travel and work internationally, explore the world, and do what you love. If you are unsure about how to start or what is required to be a PADI instructor, we recommend looking into a GoPRO program. Let’s look at what you need to know about becoming a scuba instructor, and what the GoPRO program includes. 

What Courses Do I Need to Become a Scuba Instructor?

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) candidates need to have completed their:

1. Open Water Diver

2. Advanced Open Water Diver

3. Emergency First Response (EFR) 

4. Rescue Diver 

5. Divemaster

Candidates also need to make sure that your Emergency First Response (EFR) is still valid, within the last two years. 

All the first 4 courses can be completed in just a couple of weeks and still allow plenty of time for fundiving and gaining experience in between each course.

Once these courses have been completed and you have a minimum of 40 logged dives, will allow you to enter a Divemaster internship (often called a “DMT” program). Becoming a PADI Divemaster means becoming a PADI professional! This is the first level of professional diving, and prepares you to become a top-notch PADI scuba instructor. 

Your Divemaster Course is the base of your training to become a good dive instructor. In your Divemaster Course you will learn all about dive theory and sharpe your dive skills. Because of that it is really important to choose carefully who will train you!

The DMT program here at Roatan Divers takes an average of 4-6 weeks to complete. This is where divers learn how to demonstrate skills, support and assist instructors during various PADI courses, and master the science of scuba. We also included extra workshops that will increase your knowledge and make you a better dive professional.

So here at Roatan Diver to go from zero, no course, to Divemaster you will need 4 months, and will be ready to work, but it is always better to continue your training and become a dive instructor. You will have much more job opportunities as a dive instructor than a divemaster.

After completing the Divemaster course,  to start your PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course), which will prepare you to pass the PADI Instructor Exams (IE), your will need: 

1. At least 100 open water dives

2. Minimum 6 mounts as a diver

As a Dive Instructor you will be ready to live a new life and explore new adventures!

What If I’m Already Advanced or Rescue Certified? 

Many people become diving professionals by taking their scuba courses piecemeal over time. This often happens because they start diving as a hobby, and continue taking courses and specialties during dive trips. Often years, or sometimes decades later, they decide to change careers and become scuba instructors. It is common in this case to already be Advanced or Rescue certified. 

No matter where you are in your journey, we recommend taking the remaining courses together as a part of a cohesive program to give you the best training experience. 

What is a GoPRO Program?

A GoPRO Program allows non divers or Open Water certified-divers to complete all the remaining required courses, from Open Water all the way through Instructor. During your program, you will complete the required open water dives and all other requirements along the way. The GoPRO program Zero to Hero, instructor, at Roatan Divers lasts for about 6 months. 

Benefits of GoPRO program at Roatan Divers

As a 5 Star IDC Dive Center, Roatan Divers can help you GoPRO. We believe the GoPRO program is the best way to become an instructor because there are so many benefits to doing your courses this way. Here are just a few:

Cohesive Learning Plan

When you do all your courses at PADI 5 STAR IDC Center like Roatan Divers, your courses and your fundives will be conducted with your end-goal in mind. Your instructor will know your strengths and weaknesses from your previous courses. This allows your instructors to better tailor your courses to your specific needs and interests.

Behind the Scenes of Courses

When you take a course with the objective of becoming an instructor, you tend to come into the course with a slightly different filter. When divers are able to start thinking about the pedagogy and logic behind skills presentations and course logistics, they are able to apply that insight sooner during their IDC. 

Clear Expectations and an Assurance of Quality

It is very important to choose a dive shop that meets and exceeds your standards for quality, professionalism, and skill. How a dive center adheres to standards and safety best practices can directly shape your experience as an instructor. When you find a dive program that takes diving as seriously as you do, stick with them!

Make Your Logged Dives Count For More

When you’re doing your fundives towards your Divemaster and Instructor requirements as a part of a GoPRO program, you will continue to work with your instructors and divemasters to refine and perfect skills. This continuous access to instructor mentoring is indispensable when it comes to improving buoyancy, trim, and finning techniques. These skills are foundational to the divemaster and instructor roles, and learning skills demonstrations in neutral buoyancy will be easier when you have had so much extra help and guidance.

Understand How Shops Run

This is one of the understated benefits of becoming an instructor in a GoPRO program. Knowing the shop layout, the logistics and dive planning, where gear goes, and who your captains are before you start your IDC allows you to focus on your course right out of the gates. This type of insider knowledge will also prepare you for your first job as an instructor, no matter where you go in the world. 

Start Now and Be Working By Summertime 

The GoPRO program at Roatan Divers takes about four months. If you start your GoPRO program now, you will be ready to join our July 30th or Sept. 29th start dates for the IDC.

More information about our courses can be found here.