Scuba Diving Certification

PADI Diving Instructor Certification - Things you must know regarding Scuba Certification

The Professional Association of Scuba Diving Instructors or PADI is the world’s largest scuba certification organization. The organization sets scuba programs and provides diver training paraphernalia. It also monitors standards on scuba training by its members around the world.

Further, it keeps track of diver certifications and issues the same. Dive Centers and Resorts also provided support services by the group. Presently, PASI has members spread all across the globe in 175 countries with international service offices in nine countries. Nearly seven out of ten of North American divers are certified by the group and the same is true for 55% of those in other parts of the globe.

Check if your instructor is PADI certified.

1. How Long Does The Certification Course Last?
   The course’s completion is not determined in man hours, the basis is student performance. The pace is set by the student himself. Most of the time the course may be completed in 3 days. For a beginner though the more plausible time frame is four days.

2. How Much Will I Pay for the Course?
   Advertise will most likely post the bare price to entice you to come in and inquire. But once you get in hidden charges usually surface. You would usually have to pay for books and equipment rentals. Try to look for a complete package before taking the plunge. The experience is always worth every penny.

3. Are References Available From The Most Recent Students?
   It is always good to ask for phone or email references from recently certified students. Written price quotations are usually outdated and unreliable. If no definite assurance is given look for someone else. Transparency is still the best option.

4. Who Is The Instructor?

5. How Long Have They Been An Instructor?

6. How Many People Have They Certified?

7. How Many Certification Courses Have They Taught?
   Very competent instructors who has broad experience may not be that easy to come by. A lot of instructors do not stay long in one dive shop. Most instructors that you will find are newbies and are underpaid. Push your luck and look for an instructor who has certified at least 25 people and has a minimum of one year experience.

8. Is The Instructor First Aid/CPR Certified?
   Fear not. First Aid and CPR training are required to become a PADI certified dive instructor. In fact many of them apart from being dive instructors also teach First Aid and CPR.

9. Will The Course Be Taught Using Rotating Instructors?
   There are instances when not only one but a tandem teaches you about what to do. However, this would only make life more difficult for you because of their varying teaching styles. Unless you were referred to them you might as well stay away from such circumstances.

10. Will Both Instructor And Student Use Similar Equipment Setups During The Course?
    It would be best for a student to get similar diving paraphernalia as his instructor because it will surely facilitate the learning process. It would be easier to familiarize yourself with the equipment.

11. Will The Course Incorporate A Giant RDP Table Into The Academic Sessions?
    Learning how the dive tables work is one hell of a lesson. To help you out, a giant dive table is usually provided.

12. Can I Get A Student Discount After Getting Certified?
    As a compliment, most good diving shops offer discount if you happen to visit them again.