TICK ALL THE BOXES
Diving is fun. It’s been called a ‘tonic for the soul’ and the ‘best antidote there is for life in the 21st century.’ But scuba lessons are not easy to shop for.
First, there’s the question of where to take your course: close to home or somewhere with palm trees and turquoise water. (And if your home does have palm trees and turquoise water, more power to you.) Then there’s the dive shop: something in the same town, or one on a beach somewhere tropical? What about brand: which agency is the right one to certify with? Does that even make a difference? And then there’s the question: how can I tell if my instructor is right for me?
All good questions. There’s plenty of scope for research, but let’s focus on the instructor, because in many ways, that’s the easiest to answer.
There is general agreement in the dive community that choosing your scuba instructor is the most important decision you will make in your diving journey. It is far more critical than the specific agency, the dive shop’s brand, or the location of your training. It’s said that the student/instructor relationship is key. For many, it’s the make-or-break question.
Scuba diving involves managing reasonably complex life-support systems in an environment where humans are at a severe disadvantage. We can’t scuba dive without all the kit, and we cannot breathe water. So, the quality of one’s initial instruction can literally be the difference between a lifelong passion and a bunch of memorable experiences or an early exit from the sport.
There are few solid stats to tell us for sure how many people take a scuba class but have such an awful experience during their class or first couple of dives that they walk away and never come back.
Why The Instructor Matters
It’s about making safety fun. A great instructor has a safety-first mindset and the innate ability to teach buoyancy, situational awareness, problem-solving skills, and the basic rules while putting a smile on their student’s face.
As an aside, the good ones start by managing anxiety by recognizing the micro-signs of stress and dealing with them before they escalate into panic.
Then there is time. Perhaps too many instructors work under pressure to get their students certified before they have fully explained the benefits of every skill and given their students the time needed to build confidence and competence. Perhaps this is a general function of cut-priced courses and undervalued training. Perhaps it’s also consumer expectations not matching how much time and good training really take.
So, What to Look For
When you’re in the market for an instructor, by all means focus on their certification level, professional credentials, and what they dive for fun, but look for these character traits too.
Patience, Empathy, and Adaptability: Don’t be rushed; don’t be bullied.
Look for a “Safety Before Sales” Mentality: Be wary of instructors who rush students through training, pressure them to get it done… or worse, cut corners.
And put value on Real-World Experience. Beware of an instructor who only teaches and is not really an active diver. Teaching basic classes does not develop an instructor’s personal skills. Experienced divers – mentors and rounded instructors – dive for themselves.
Finally, observe and research. Putting your trust in an instructor based on what’s written on a dive store window may be justified, but dig a little deeper!