Agency Cross Over Matrix?

[gaius]

I believe you can just rock up and take the PADI IDC, which is a 1-week course, then you will be an AI, then the PADI IE, at which point you will be an OWSI.

Be aware tho' at this level it is not about diving, it's about knowing and being able to teach "the PADI way" so you may have to relearn some things. It would be ill-advised to try the IE without doing the IDC first.

[RobMeade]

Rob, seeing as you talk about marketable courses, should we assume you are wanting to make a go of being an instructor as a main career or is this something you want to do on the sideline?

I would very much like that to be the case, but fully appreciate that I am a fairly long way from being able to do that (for a variety of reasons). I didn't specifically mention that at the beginning because it seems the moment you mention about "becoming an instructor and changing careers" you often get the response "there's no money in diving" - often from the same people willing to take it from you for courses! Thus, trying to stay motivated and making a go of something gets easily down-trodden...

I don't know what route technical instructors normally take but surely a solid base of recreational instructing experience first would be a requirement?

I would assume the same although I've not yet read anything that states any specifics...

Maybe don't worry too much about future proofing your path to becoming a technical instructor, [snip]

I suppose I was trying to be fiscally prudent.. with my current personal life situation, I am a little limited on financial resources as well as time resources... as such I need to choose carefully and make sure that the money/time I invest in furthering myself is in the right place...

Thanks for the reply Mikael

[RobMeade]

I believe you can just rock up and take the PADI IDC, which is a 1-week course, then you will be an AI, then the PADI IE, at which point you will be an OWSI.

Be aware tho' at this level it is not about diving, it's about knowing and being able to teach "the PADI way" so you may have to relearn some things. It would be ill-advised to try the IE without doing the IDC first.

That was certainly another consideration, e.g. knowledge/skills from multiple agencies and whether the differences may pose a problem from a teaching perspective..

I'd really like to add that none of my "goals"/"ambitions" are about taking short cuts, which based on some of my posts above may seem how it sounds... with each of the courses I've personally taken, especially my TDI DM, I wanted to get there when I was ready, so that I could walk away knowing that I had earnt it, the same is true of instructing... so my comments about the AI... I'm just not sure what I gain from that (due to lack of knowledge on my part) - presumably it would be being involved more in the training thus gaining more experience before taking the big step...

[Mikael]

A lot of instructors also have other jobs, sometimes in dive shops other times in unrelated areas. Some supplement their income by being a kit sales rep so there is probably something in it when they say there is not a lot of money but don't let that put you off. Better to give it a shot then never try and be left wondering if you could make it work.

As for 'investing' in yourself, that sounds expensive. Especially if you are going to be doing it up front. Maybe get that dive shop job or similar the same time as you sit your instructor course? Would be the way I would try to do it. For now though diving remains a hobby which is a good thing because even though I am working on BI cert, ScotSAC is a voluntary agency no money to be made there.

[gaius]

so my comments about the AI... I'm just not sure what I gain from that (due to lack of knowledge on my part) - presumably it would be being involved more in the training thus gaining more experience before taking the big step...

An AI is just the PADI term for someone who had completed the IDC but not yet passed the IE.

[Garf]

An AI is just the PADI term for someone who had completed the IDC but not yet passed the IE.

This is not correct. An AI only has to complete part of the IDC. To become an instructor you then have to complete the second part (the OWSI course) and then do an IE.

[RobMeade]

Better to give it a shot then never try and be left wondering if you could make it work.

Thank you Mikael - appreciate the support

As for 'investing' in yourself, that sounds expensive. Especially if you are going to be doing it up front.

Well, I meant from a development of myself perspective, e.g. further training, courses, equipment - that type of thing...

Maybe get that dive shop job or similar the same time as you sit your instructor course?

Just not sure how big a hit cash wise I could possibly take... my life is complicated to say the least

[londonsean69]

This is not correct. An AI only has to complete part of the IDC. To become an instructor you then have to complete the second part (the OWSI course) and then do an IE.

The AI teaches you how to teach, the OWSI teaches you how to sell

[stafforddiver]

Hi there,

Was interested in how much technical diving you have done?

Cheers,

Gareth.

[timmyg]

so... my choices are then perhaps take the PADI Instructor course but, at that point, would my Rescue Dive and SDI Dive Master qualifications be recognised?

Yes. You do not have to have done all the PADI courses, only the equivalent wether it's SDI, BSAC etc...

TG