Age and Fitness
The minimum age to become a Scuba instructor is 18 years old. You will also need to demonstrate good physical condition by passing a medical examination and be approved for diving by a licensed physician within the prior 12 months.
CPR and First Aid
You will need current certification as an Emergency First Response Instructor, which includes CPR and First Aid. The training should include one person adult CPR, infant/child CPR, two person CPR, AED use, oxygen administration and the use of rescue breathing barrier devices such as a pocket mask or face shield.
Dive Experience
To start training as a scuba instructor you must be a certified basic open water diver and logged 60 dives in a variety of depths and conditions (night, deep, and navigation dives). In addition, you will need to have maintained a divemaster or assistant instructor certification in good standing for at least six months. You will need 100 logged dives in order to take the instructor exams but these can be logged during the duration of the instructor course.
Instructor Training
You must complete all portions of the instructor training course which includes classwork, teaching, homework, exams, administrative requirements, and, of course, diving. Finally, a passing grade on the final examinations leads to the start of your career as a scuba instructor.
