Becoming a scuba diver: Interview your dive center and instructor first!

Rich Synowiec   Nov 01, 2024

Have you ever gazed at a body of water and wondered what lies beneath? The world of scuba diving offers an incredible opportunity to explore the mysteries of the ocean, and it's a journey that can start as a curiosity and evolve into a lifelong passion.  What people often do not realize is that ocean exploration is only a small part of the overall passion some divers have.  Many, and even a number of them close to home, find diving “anywhere” enjoyable and worthy of the lifestyle.  The social interaction between divers is oftentimes overlooked and the passion people have can be shared regardless of cultural differences or backgrounds.

For many, the journey to becoming a scuba diver begins with a simple fascination for the underwater world. The enthusiasm of exploration is oftentimes enough to embark on this adventure. It's perfectly okay to start as a novice, just eager to explore the depths.  The most important thing about becoming a diver is to align yourself with a Dive Center and Instructor who shares your enthusiasm and is looking for dive buddies, no just customers.

In your quest to become an underwater enthusiast, consider the two main paths of diving instruction: learning from passionate divers who've turned their love for the ocean into instructing and career instructors who've made diving their full-time profession. You may find that the lines between them blur, as many instructors maintain their passion for recreational diving even as they build a career around it.  The catch is that sometimes the passion wanes and you find a person in the profession of scuba diving either part time or full time, who no longer “loves” diving.  Many times it is difficult to realize what kind of instructor you are introduced to without doing some research and asking lots of questions.

To make diving more accessible, it's crucial to explore what's available in your local area. You don't need to travel to distant tropical destinations to experience the magic of the underwater world. Look for dive sites, quarries, or lakes near your home, and discover the hidden treasures they hold. Many local diving communities offer training courses, which can be a great starting point for your diving journey. Often times local diving is not as glamourous as the Magical paradises that are found on social media, but with the right equipment, experience and dive buddies it can be amazing.  People oftentimes forget that diving, just like other activities is a Social interaction first, activity we actually enjoy second.   On any given day underwater, regardless of the destination, you spend about an hour or two on the dives and the rest of the day enjoying the company of your buddies. The importance of finding a dive shop and a dive instructor who dives outside of work is key to you finding a perfect dive guru.   Oftentimes they may not be found at the dive center closest to you.   Dive centers with no local diving and all trips are great if you have the need, desire and lifestyle available to you to travel but it comes at a cost (one we will look at in a later blog post.)

Please do not let this read as a negative.  It is possible to find such a person who can take you diving and if they are not found locally, you can figure out that there is niche you can explore if you wish to pursue a diving career.   For the most part you cannot go wrong if you dive into the following considerations:

The Right Instructor:

Interview your prospective instructor just as you would in a job interview. Ask about their experience, their passion for diving, and their teaching style.  Ask them where they dive locally and if they dive year around.  It is ok if they are only interested in “this type of diving” if that is also your interest.  Find an instructor who aligns with your goals and makes you feel comfortable. A good example is that you may be interested in becoming a shipwreck diver in the Great Lakes similar to what I get excited about.  If you interview an instructor who loves only tropical reef diving and has little or no experience in a dry suit this may not be a suitable choice.   They are more than likely a great instructor but if they don’t share your interests they may not be right for you. 

The Dive Center:

Same thing goes for the dive center you choose.  In the podcast we talk a LOT about the importance of the dive center and making sure they align with the diving you want to do.  We get a lot of divers interested in Rebreather and Technical diving who are referred to us from their dive center.  There is no such thing as “all PADI Shops are the same.” You need to explore the dive center where you plan to receive your training. Ensure they are able to provide references, love diving all year around (locally is best), and support your interests. A good dive center is not just a place to learn; it's a community where you can grow as a diver.  If they are not doing the types of diving that you are interested in, this could still be a place where you learn to dive and get started but this should only be a last resort.  It is important to support the dive center you plan on diving with (more about this in a later post as well.)

The world of scuba diving offers endless possibilities, and regardless of the path you choose, remember that the essence of diving remains constant: the enchanting beauty of the underwater world and the endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Whether you dive for the sheer joy of it or take steps toward making it your primary career, the ocean offers a vast, mysterious playground waiting to be discovered.  The biggest thing to understand is that it can be both.  Your passion can become a career and with the right guidance you can make a living at it.  The first step is to find a good mentor (instructor or dive center or both) who can be enthusiastic about diving with you as you travel on your journey.

So, are you ready to dip your toes into this extraordinary world of ocean exploration? Begin by exploring local dive options, interviewing potential instructors, and finding a dive center that aligns with your aspirations. Your journey starts here, and the underwater world beckons you. Will you answer?