Scuba diving is an exciting and fast growing sport. There are essentially two paths one can take with scuba diving. Those are the recreational scuba diver, which begins with the Open Water Diver Rating and caps with the Master Scuba Diver Rating. The second path is the professional path, which begins with the Divemaster Rating and caps with the Course Director Rating.
The professional path of scuba diving is a very rewarding path. If you enjoy diving and being around divers, becoming a PADI Pro will be a path you will truely enjoy. There is no feeling greater than teaching someone new skills and seeing them finally master them, or helping someone overcome a phobia and seeing the joy in their eyes when they finally do so. As a professional you will also begin to receive compensation for your investment of time and effort.
Professional level training is offered on a year round basis. Courses are scheduled as demand dictates. Most course numbers are small enough to give personalized one on one instruction. Contact Tortuga Bay for more details regarding getting started in our Professional Programs.
Divemaster is the first step in your journey to becoming a PADI Pro. As a Divemaster you will be able to assist teaching status Instructors in their training sessions, lead certified divers on tours, conduct Discover Scuba Diving experiences (after completion of the required internship) and teach courses such as snorkeling, Emergency First Response and a few others. The Divemaster rating prerequisites are as follows:
PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent rating
18 years of age or older
Have completed, and logged, at least 20 dives and have them documented in your logbook (60 dives required for certification)
Submit a medical signed by a physician. Medical must be current within the preceding 12 months.
ASSISTANT OPEN WATER INSTRUCTOR
The Assistant Open Water Instructor is the next step after you have earned your Divemaster rating. The AI rating is part of the total Instructor Development Course (IDC), and can be incorporated as part of a complete IDC, or can be broken out as a stand alone course. As an AI, you will be able do more under direct, or indirect supervision than allowed as a Divemaster. It is an excellent training ground for becoming an Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI). Prerequisites are as follows:
Be certified as a PADI Divemaster OR hold a leadership level certification with another recreational diver training organization.
Be at least 18 years old or older
Submit a medical statement signed by a physician. Must be current within the preceeding 12 months.
Have been a certified diver for at least six months and have completed and logged at least 60 open water dives.
Must have experience in Deep and Night diving and be documented in your logbook.
Submit proof of CPR and 1st Aid certification. Must be current within the preceding 24 months.
If not a PADI Open Water, Advanced and Rescue diver, submit proof of certification in these levels from another recreational scuba training agency.
If not a PADI Divemaster, successfully complete the PADI Divemaster course diver rescue skills assessment.
The Open Water Scuba Instructor rating (OWSI) allows you to independently conduct a wide range of training including certifying students at the Open Water Diver rating, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and Master Scuba Diver. With additional specialty ratings you can also teach many of the specialties offered by PADI. Prerequisites for the OWSI rating are as follows:
Be certified as a PADI Assistant Instructor OR a current instructor member in good standing with another recreational diver certification agency. Must have been with another agency for at least 6 months.
Be at least 18 years old or older
Submit a medical signed by a physician. Medical must be current with in the preceding 12 months.
Have been a certified diver for at least 6 months and have documented a minimum of 60 logged open water dives. 100 documented open water dives are required before you can attend an Instructor Evaluation (IE).
Be a current CPR and 1st Aid instructor. If not an Emergency First Response Instructor must be current and in good standing with another certified agency.
If not certified as a PADI OWD, AOWD and Rescue Diver, submit proof of such certification levels from another recreational diving certification agency.
Be familiar with the PADI teaching tools, specifically those required for Open Water Diver
Be familiar with continuing education skills such as knot tying, buoyancy skills and lift bag procedures.
The course is called the Instructor Development Course (IDC) it can be conducted over a 7 day period, or an extended period. A PADI Course Director must conduct the course. It involves academics, confined water and open water. In each segment you will learn different aspects associated with training scuba divers to the various levels. A final evaluation, the Instructor Evaluation (IE) conducted by a PADI Instructor Examiner, is required to become certified as an Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI).
Tortuga Bay is a PADI 5 Star IDC Training Center. We have a full time Course Director on staff. IDC's can be arranged on an as need basis or you can join a scheduled IDC. IDC's at locations outside of Tortuga Bay can also be arranged.