Dive instructor, be careful with your wishes.
The
indomitable Irish explorer Ernest Henry Shackleton placed this announcement
recruiting men for one of his expeditions. The announcement intuits what the
candidate will be exposed to if he embarks on that adventure! Although this
announcement does not reflect the life that awaits an instructor, I subscribe
as a notice to navigators: It will not be easy.
This
article starts from my personal experience. This does not reflect the entire
group of diving professionals, but it is sure to be quite close. That is to
say, almost all of us have experienced something similar. In my particular case
I will not enter how or because I changed my life, I left everything and became
a diving instructor to live in this profession. If this is the case, although
it sounds strange to some, it is a profession and I will explain in detail
later why.
I radically
change my way of life and others can do it too, even the one reading this. It
does not require any special power, characteristics, training, physical
strength or a lot of money (well, something if) simply attitude, confidence in
yourself and a bit of luck.
Some
elements are basic: Listen to your body (you do not feel happy, motivated by
your state or situation, etc.). Choose your new goal, plan it well and be very
persistent. The mind will play tricks on you all the time, especially after
hearing a lot of well-intentioned people, or not, who will tell you at all
times that the decision to be a diving instructor and live off that is silly.
Where do I
begin? Becoming a Dive Instructor requires some dedication, curiosity, physical
and mental effort and money. In the diving industry there are many certifying
agencies, some with more success than others but basically very similar in
terms of training content. And why does it happen? Because there is an
international organization that requires minimum standards for each level of
diving, which certification agencies must comply with in their training
programs. Here the first doubts begin to arise. Which to choose? Well, it will
always be our purpose that will determine our choice. If it is about becoming
an instructor and making this our way of life, we must be a little more careful
and be well informed. It is important to know which or which are the dominant
agencies (it is understood as dominant among the diving centers, in their
geographical area), because obviously if we certify ourselves in one of them,
it will be easier to find a job, and that is the purpose final.
Where and
with whom? Once the election is made, the next steps are where and with whom.
Faithful to our intention to make this our new way of life with which we will
have to pay the bills from now on, it is a good idea to do it in a place where
there is a real possibility of starting work as soon as possible, once the
course. There is an important detail that I would like to share. The course
itself is quite stressful for some people and if we add, do it in a language
that we do not master with ease, is an unnecessary burden that can lead to
extra problems as I supposed. The disbursement of an instructor course can
range between € 2,000 and € 2,500. Failing one of the parties can result in
paying hundreds of Euros in many cases, and having to repeat that part. Do not
take it lightly! Inform yourself, investigate, take your time, ask questions,
ask for references, visit the centers and ask to speak with the instructor who
gives the course, ask, express them, collect the data and draw your
conclusions. We are talking about an investment of important money and your
future!
Certificate
achieved and now what? Well, to work and recover my investment ... Not so fast!
A freshman instructor needs at least to acquire the most demanded specialties
of the industry. The important thing is to understand that your training has to
continue a little more, with the consequent cost that it has.
Languages
are, if possible, more important for the market, than having many
specialties. These are inescapable and inherent to this industry, which you
will surely develop working and living in several countries. For that reason,
English is intrinsically compulsory. Stop right here if you are not able to
communicate fluently in this language, learn it and continue. German and French
will open many doors to better paid positions, Russian and Chinese are also
highly valued, but their learning curve is long.
Knocking on
doors "Who Dares Win" (Who risks wins). Start repeating the motto of
the British SAS as a mantra, this is no place for timid people. The traditional
way to find your first job and the most effective for newcomers is to go to
each center, introduce yourself, leave your CV and be seen, get a few minutes
to chat with the person in charge and act with normality, education, humility
and attitude . Do not
miss the goal you are looking for works do not forget!
Another way
is through the website of your certifier, there is a lot of activity, check it
frequently, and social networks are also very active and important. Whichever
means you choose, prepare to be rejected dozens of times, most of the time without
any explanation, simply disappear. So stand your ground and have some savings
to keep you going for months, if I said those ... months!
Goal
achieved, I have my first job! Now the action begins and where the idea that it
would be to work in a paradisiacal environment with sun, beach, beautiful
tanned people, little clothes and I do not know how many more things, gives way
to a somewhat different reality. Intense physical work, endless hours, time to
eat is a luxury you will not have, rules to follow, seriousness, demands from
bosses and clients, labor contracts, non-existent rights and social security.
External ear infections and contractures in the back will be your common
companions in this dream of work that some certifiers have dared to call
"Zero to Hero" (From zero to even hero). Do not forget that funny as
it may seem, the level of responsibility is very high, because the lives (if it
is so!) Of other people are in our hands, and the consequences of losing
concentration at some point making that premise fall in Oblivion can be
disastrous for everyone.
So, wages
must live up to that responsibility? You will ask, then, no, the salaries are
very little or nothing according to the work performed. Some entrepreneurs in
the sector will tell you that this profession is a "lifestyle". It's
funny because they will repeat it with vehemence every time you ask for salary
improvements. It seems that this "lifestyle" is immune to the payment
of bills at the end of the month, which curiously, you will still have
Then why choose
this? Being frank I would have liked to have more real information about the
diving industry before embarking on it and if I had read something similar to
this, I would still continue in my work miserable, but better paid, counting
the days, cultivating a sadness and withering . There is only one life and I do
not say it, choose your path and do what you like, in that way, and if the
money is enough to cover your needs without losing your dignity, maybe, and I
say just maybe, you will be happy and it will be worth it. Personally I would
do it all again, but this is just my opinion...
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