Assignment 2: Investigating a Physically Active Job.

For this assignment, I have chosen to write about the physically active job of being a scuba diving instructor. Please note, there are several different diver training organizations that offer courses for becoming an instructor, for this course, I have chosen the most widely known organization; the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI.)

Job Description

A scuba instructor trains recreational or commercial divers the proper techniques and skills needed to safely dive in open water with the use of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. Depending on the level of experience of the instructor and additional courses taken, they may teach several courses from the beginner level (Discover Scuba Diving), to the professional level (Dive Master.)

Job Skills (physical and mental)

Instructors need to be able to handle stressful situations during dives, have excellent swimming skills, rescue diver skills and be mentally and physically healthy. As well, like all instructors, they need to be personable and confident in their teachings, as to ensure an enjoyable experience for their student divers.

Post-secondary Training (where, how long, how much for tuition?)

A diver may independently become certified as an instructor assuming they are already a Divemaster or Assistant Instructor, they must be certified as an Emergency First Response Instructor, six months certified as a diver, 100 logged dives and at least 18 years of age. Instructor course pricing is not commonly displayed on websites, an estimate is $1500.

However, there is also the optional, at least locally, to take university level courses that require no previous experience, for example, the Capilano University Professional Scuba Dive Instructor Certificate course. In this course, they help you go from your first dive, to your 100th dive in eight months, giving you 14 different certificates along the journey. This course is approximately $14,000.
These costs do not include the rental of gear, as instructors must have their own. Add an additional $4,000-$5,000 to the cost.

Job Environment (describe the location and conditions)

An instructor has the option to work in-store, to be a part of the instructional staff of a business. Most divers, prefer the later. Instructional staff utilize many different open water locations, whether they be in a lake or the ocean. Instructors must be able to handle the conditions of heavy waves, current, low visibility as well as have the skills to perform night dives.

Safety Issues

Diving is considered a safe sport if a diver has been taught the correct procedures, and can put them into use with the proper equipment. However, with any sports, injuries like drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen toxicity, nitrogen narcosis, vertigo and gas embolism. As well, injuries from the environment can occur like hypothermia, stings, cuts and bites from local species.
Of course though, the priority of a diver is to remain safe while having fun at the same time. PADI focuses on teaching safe diving, as well as how to react and what measures to take during emergencies, which prevents these injuries from occurring, if the regulations are followed.

Pay

Scuba instructors are paid differently depending on their job type. Some divers have additional training, like equipment technician, in which they would be paid more. Due to this, exact pay cannot be stated.
Instructional staff are not paid hourly but instead paid by the individual course they teach and dive. Number of students and dives performed can increase pay. In-store staff are paid on a set hourly wage.

Working with People or Alone

In the dive industry, you are rarely working alone. This is due to the fact, that unless a self-reliant diver or use surface-supplied gasses and equipment, you may not dive alone. Therefore, you are always at least with one diver.
Special Equipment

Scuba instructors must own their own gear, as follows:
• Regulator (first and second stage, w/o gauge and additional second stage.)
• Buoyancy control device.
• Personal gear (mask, snorkel, fins, hood, boots.)
• Weights.
• Dive computer.
• Dive knife.
• Primary and secondary light.
• Exposure suit (wetsuit or drysuit) for open water diving.
• Pool wetsuit for courses.
• Spare personal gear (mask and snorkel) and repair kit.

Job availability in BC, Canada, and internationally

Job availability is low locally, and moderate internationally, assuming you have the experience, knowledge and perhaps language required. Some job options that differ from normal instructing is working on a live aboard, scientific research diver, stunt diver, public safety diver and more. There are many different career options that being a certified instructor gives access to.

Summary (stating if you would consider this job as a career choice and why or why not)

As a hobby, I would enjoy this job on the side. However, due to the lack of pay and job availability, I would not enjoy it as a career. Although, an international career would give the opportunity to travel around the world as well.