Maybe you aren’t ready to tackle Master Scuba Diver Trainer or you have that rating already. Either way, you are looking to pick up more teaching tips and techniques for specialties which will make it more fun to teach and increase your income. You have over 20 specialties to choose from.
You will sit with your course director and go through the specialty instructor manual looking at standards, knowledge development, confined water if required, open water dives and marketing the course. You will do an impromptu knowledge review session and then make the dives working through or the performance requirements with other candidates.
The fun part here is that you pick the PADI specialty that you are interested in teaching. Some of the specialties have prerequisites in order to teach them such as Enriched Air but really easy to pick up that specialty along the way.
Many instructors working with Dive Centers will look to them for guidance as to which specialties to take which is great but remember to take some for yourself as well. The more tools in your toolbox the more fun you will have and the more money you can make.
Here at S.C.U.B.A, we intertwine the specialty instructor programs throughout the IDC so duration is variable. Remember we can do only 3 training dives in a day as a student. Some of the specialties can be completed in a single dive while many require 2 dives. If you are not doing and IDC with us, then we will organize a plan to cover required information and make the dives.
All Specialties
PADI Instructor or currently participating in or completed an IDC/OWSI program within the past 12 months.
IDC/OWSI candidates may apply for Specialty Instructor certification only after passing an IE.
Some specialties such as Adaptive Techniques, Emergency Oxygen Provider, Public Safety Diver, Cavern, Enriched Air, Ice, Sidemount, and Self-Reliant have additional prerequisites that must be met in addition to the Instructor Specialty itself.
Specialties without dives
1. PADI Assistant Instructor
2. PADI Divemaster in these courses: Emergency Oxygen Provider, Equipment Specialist, Coral Reef Conservation, Project AWARE Specialist and PADI Distinctive Specialty Diver (approved).
When working with a Course Director, candidates will need a minimum of 10 dives in the specialty area, as applicable.
If you apply directly to the PADI Office you will need to have certified 25 divers and have 20 dives in the specialty area.
Additional equipment is required for Specialty Instructor training based on what specialties you want to teach.
Possible additions to your toolbox include:
Required
Recommended
See the IDC component for all required equipment and materials