Question

I just got my Divemaster certification. Is there an amount of time I should wait before going for my instructor cert?

Answer 1

This is a really good question.  I have met some people who wanted to move up on their certifications as fast as possible, many times just after getting their open water.  I personally believe one needs time and dives before they should think about advancing. You obviously have that since you are a Divemaster.  As an instructor you need to be confident and comfortable teaching people how to dive and advance themselves in various certifications   That includes answering questions from people of all different experiences and skill levels and knowing that there are going to be divers who have more time and dives than you, yet you are instructing them.  Basically I don't think there is a specific time frame.

Answer 2

I am a Divemaster also. I got my cert a little over a year ago and have worked at our local dive shop assisting instructors since then. This has been a very valuable experience for me. I have learned more about teaching in the last year than i learned in my Divemaster Course. I am doing my IDC next month. A little nervous about it. Good luck.

Comments

Interesting. I have been going through the course for almost a year, and doing the same thing in the shop. Everything from filling tanks to working on regs, etc. I think although that may be in pretty good shape, my watermanship training skills arent there yet, so I will probably wait. Best of luck with your IDC!!! If you havent seen him, check out Steve Prior, his you tubes are amazing!

Answer 3

My answer to this is you really don't know a subject until you have to explain it to someone else. That shows you know what your talking about.

Answer 4

Keep it going if you don't things happen and you never go forward.

Answer 5

When I was signing up for my IDC, that was one question that kept being asked "How long have you been a divemaster?"   I suggest working at last one summer as a divemaster and assisting with as many open water classes as possible.  Look at it as an apprenticeship for instructor.  You'll see a lot of the issues new diver have and it'll give you a start on seeing how learning resolve them.