Barrier Reef Australia Blog

Hi folks, Robbie again talking about my passion scuba diving for Barrier Reef Australia.  

The previous blog I wrote about the Divermaster (DM) course being just the beginning as a professional scuba diver for recreational sport. It teaches you how to be a pro on so many different levels that by the time you’re finished with the course, your level of confidence shines!

Now, if you’re choosing to be a DM for the purpose of employment, then I highly recommend working as one for a good period of time before deciding to take the next step.

As I mentioned before, experience is so valuable and will show when choosing to go to the next level.

Believe me, when taking that next step and going on to do your scuba diving Instructor Development Course (IDC), the Course Director and Staff Instructors as well as the other candidates can tell who’s had the experience of working as a Divemaster and who came straight from the DM course right in to the IDC. 

So why become an Open Water Scuba Dive Instructor?

I mean being a Divemaster already has you at the pro level. You’re certified to guide on all the fun dives. You can assist with instructors if needed and don’t need to deal with the stress of having to take divers out for their first dive ever but they can’t swim!

Yes, people who can’t swim do want to scuba dive occasionally and it isn’t always fun taking them. The worst are those who have never ever been in the open water before but they want to try scuba diving.

Open Water Scuba Instructors can take them diving but Divemasters cannot.

They may assist the dive instructor but that’s it. And usually that’s only needed for multiple non-swimmers who have decided to give scuba diving a try. Other than that, Divemasters have it pretty easy compared to Instructors.

The answer as to why become an instructor is simply this, money and travel!

As an instructor, you make more than being just a Divemaster. A lot more! And Divemaster jobs are mostly for locals as to where instructors can work anywhere in the world.

Also the more bilingual you are, the more employable you are. Being an Open Water Scuba Instructor gives you more options for job opportunities around the world to which allows you to earn more while working abroad and if you love traveling, what better way to do it!

But it’s not easy. I mean the instructors’ course is not as difficult as the Divemaster course. However, if you’re not prepared and or don’t have the experience of working as a DM, then the IDC won’t be “a piece of cake” as they say.

The Instructor Development Course takes about two weeks and there is no better place to hang out than in the tropical city of Cairns so you can enjoy all of the other attractions of this part of Australia.

There is a certification of Assistant Instructor that one can earn but to be honest, that’s if you fail the Instructors Exam (IE) and or the Course Director doesn’t think you’re ready for the IE. I’m just being honest here.

Now to prepare for the IDC, one should take a good month or two of studying everything from the Open Water Course to the Divemaster course all over again.

It’s recommended that you keep all the books from each course. The two weeks for the IDC is basically preparation from your Course Director and Staff Instructors on the classroom exams and in water sessions to which you will be tested on in the two day Instructor’s Exam by an IE Examiner.

The exam has parts to which one can repeat once more and parts to which you fail and that’s it. You’re done.

So there’s a lot of pressure on the candidates. Some crack and can’t handle it but then again, being a professional diver isn’t for just anyone. 

Check out these dive courses that are available here on the magnificent Great Barrier Reef in Australia in Cairns and Port Douglas.

Well that’s me over and out, tune in again soon and keep an eye out for my next exciting blog about scuba diving.

If you missed any of my previous blogs "Things You Need To Know..." you can read them here:

Blog #1 - Things You Need To Know - Introductory Scuba Diving

Blog #2 - Things You Need To Know - Intro To Being A Certified Diver

Blog #3 - Things You Need To Know - Going Pro - Divemaster

... and for more information give us a call 1300 231 118

Cheers

Robbie