Why I quit teaching Scuba Diving after traveling the world...

I have been teaching Scuba for 38+ Years (SSI), 30 years (SDI/TDI). Im in Colorado, USA. I have been diving since 1977. I started teaching in 1983. I started teaching when I was around 19/20, I just turned 60. I For the most part I have been a part time career instructor. (I still am involved at the dive shop between 30-40 hours per week.-- Part time ha ha ). I certify approximately 100-150 students per year. I did manage a dive shop for 3 years and attempted to buy it.... long story. I plan on continuing to teach into my 80's and diving into my 90's, If my health hold out. For a real job I am a Realtor, which allows me the flexibility to Dive when I want.

As someone that has made the dive industry a career for 30 yrs after getting out of the military so long ago it really bugs me when I see instructors like you reach this decision, and frankly most do. My observation regards resort instructors (and was one for 5 yrs in Cayman) is that most do about 2 yrs, then the next big drop is at 5 years. Most that do the 10 it's more that you see do longer. My path involved what you described, moving into more management and the business and more specific types of instruction (Instructors and tech/cave in my case) that honestly pay much better and can be done as adjunct to the management/business side of the dive industry. I managed to support me, and eventually my family in the dive industry. Like you, I have dove and taught all over the world and cherish every moment of it, and yes, it is WORK. The industry doesn't/hasn't helped make a clear path to long term success in the industry, much of that is because low labour costs of new instructors and the revenue that comes for the big instructor mills and some agencies that have a business plan that is virtually MLM. Once you have been wringed out of money, have experience and deserve more, you get discarded. While I have done a more entrepreneurial path, and feel that it's needed to make this a lifelong career, I know that for most that degree of uncertainty just doesn't cut it. The industry has been shrinking the whole time I have been in it, much of that is on us for a bunch of reasons, the exploitive nature of how instructors are employed is one big piece of it. I am always open to discuss with any instructor facing what you have possible paths forward in the industry, because quite frankly we need people like you. I'm mid 50's, I am in the twilight of my dive career, and always when younger saw instructors like who I am now (older and experience) that hold on to try and prevent the younger generation from coming up and replacing them with contempt. That isn't how you grow something, we should be nourishing the next generation, not hitting them up like a ATM until they threaten our business by having bought all the cards and now in a place to compete with us. About 5 years ago, i was on the WRSTC board, and at 50, there were 2 of us at the table that age, we were the youngest by a decade plus. People setting standards that hadn't taught open water in any volume for decades, it was sad and infuriating all at once. There should have been faces like you at the table (and that isn't even going in to the fact you are a woman, and there was only one there, a decade older than me)

Good reasons, its a big responsibility. I like your sea shepherds shirt.

And I just got into watching your videos. Good luck in your future endeavors.

I never started teaching for several reasons. #1 I checked out liability insurance for instructors. They told me I would have to keep it FOR LIFE in case any of my past students ever had an accident! #2 Many people see diving as a daredevil/kamikaze/extreme sport and take bizarre chances. I put my life on the line too many times to save idiots. #3 Dive companies were selling equipment and dive tours to people who were an accident waiting to happen.

yeah good choice because you are young and you have a lot of road to travel. when i started scuba diving at age 40ish I already had a stable career as a design architect and being a contractor on the side. I became an instructor three years after I got first certified as a diver which was an unexpected turn then started this path teaching on the side. Now as an Instructor Trainer and Course Director 9 years later I am still teaching not only on a beginner level but instructor level as well and molding them on ways to teach their courses. And yes I am already retired from my day job 5 years ago and just doing what I love the most which is teaching scuba diving.

Thank you for the shout out! Proud of you for making the decision that’s right for you. Now let’s see more of that freediving/boatlife 😍

If you're not willing to take the long days the same as you take the short days you're going to be disappointed with any job

I became an instructor back in 2019, worked until COVID and then stopped. For me, diving is a hobby and I am super happy this way. Sometimes I fantasize with the idea of traveling away and spending my time underwater, but the lack of career growth and low salaries bring me back to reality. One of my best friends is an instructor in Australia and not that long I had a chat with him about this, something you love doesn't necessarily have to be your job. I respect all the instructors and I love this world, but definitely better if I decide when I feel like diving and I don't do it because I have to.

This is funny, we stopped using touristy dive shops too, we don’t teach, but we dive, and it always seemed like their wasn’t enough instructors or safety divers per group, and we dont wanna see anyone hurt so we used a lot of our personal time, just watching and making sure no one was hurt, some divers was never in open water but on that trip, it became to much and wasted to much time, now we hire local divers for guides if required, it’s actually better to find dive groups in country, and build communication up and relationships while planning the dive, it’s a win win, ❤❤❤I hope you didn’t quit diving as a whole, if you did you probably won’t be able to stay away for long 😂

Can you please make a ship wreck dive video? New to diving and found your channel! You had me binging your videos about scuba! 🎉

One thing I've been wanting to look into is possibly teaching or being a dive master part time. I work in a career job and don't "need" the extra money, as much as I need to get in the water. Life is so busy, I think that if I could become a dive master or assistant instructor, it would keep me focused on getting in the water more often.

I always wanted to be a dive instructor...I have a good job I love now ... but still think about being an dive master/instructor... if I decide to keep working to that path.. I'll probably do it part time... since I live 3 hours away from good diving. I don't think it's all about the money for me, it's about the passion and giving knowledge to new divers and getting more involved with the sport

I totally get it . Repetitive work and you get burnt out

So what are you doing now?

If you wanna have fun diving, and see interesting places and beautiful marine life, the last thing to do is become a scuba diving instructor. The dirty little secret of the industry is that the pay is peanuts (this actually isn't so secret...just go read the Scuba Board forum). The hours are long and the work is grueling; and 60% of the time you'll be teaching totally green, nervous, and panicky (sometimes even non-swimmers) Discovery Scuba Diving walk-ins and Open Water students. The next 20% will be AOW students, the the last 20% all the other gimmicky courses most dive agencies sell. Of course, all this work for low pay will leave little time, or money, for your own diving and travel. The only ones who make real money in the scuba industry are the dive shop owners, some sectors of the liveaboard industry, and of course the dive certifying agencies themselves, who are happy to take your hundreds of dollars in annual dues, while providing precious little of value in return!

I always keep it as part time job and for fun

Uhh ok

What do you think would be your favourite part of the job? I can't believe that Im closing or at least, pausing this chapter of my life. Doesn't mean it cant be an incredible joh for you!! Make sure to check out my videos abour dive courses and what to expect

No it's not, that back room work cleaning out Kit and New people. I'll tip my hat to these people who are.