Scuba instructor course in Mexico

Why take a scuba instructor course in Mexico?

Teaching turns diving from a holiday into a profession. Dive centers and liveaboards around the world recognize an instructor rating. So it is the entry ticket to working on the water, in the Riviera Maya or anywhere else. Teaching also makes you a better diver. You learn to see a dive through the eyes of a student. You learn to plan for the weakest member of the team and to stay calm when something goes wrong. For many divers it is the first step of a longer road. Technical, cave or rebreather instructor ratings all start from the Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor.

The steps

• Rescue Diver: 4 days, 8 dives, $598
• If you do not hold them yet: Deep Diver $166, first aid with CPR $116, O2 Administration $116
• Divemaster: 9 days, 18 dives, $1,498
• Open Water Instructor course: two weeks at the minimum, $428 per day in a group of two or more, $478 individually

Alexander can come to you. For a group of 4 candidates or more, he runs this instructor course at your location. Each candidate pays the group rate, and the group covers his flights, accommodation, car, gases and gear rental.

Assists before the course

Candidates assist on courses before their instructor course. For candidates who then take the instructor course here, the assists are free.

Applicants must

• Be a certified Divemaster or higher, or equivalent
• Be a certified Deep Diver, or equivalent
• Hold CPR, first aid and oxygen administration certifications, or equivalent
• Be a minimum of 18 years of age
• Have a minimum of 100 logged dives, of which at least 15 deep dives between 27 and 40 m, and at least 6 months of diving experience
• Be physically and mentally fit; obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for prescription drugs or any medical condition that may pose a risk while diving

How the course runs

At least 100 hours of training under the direct supervision of the Course Director, of which at least 60 hours in the water. Up to 40 hours from the Divemaster course count toward the total. The scuba instructor course in Mexico takes two weeks at the minimum. The candidate learns the methods and techniques of training divers. Then the candidate gains teaching experience by assisting in real or simulated training sessions, in theory and in the water. The Course Director assesses this work.

The course covers a full review of the standards and procedures. It includes a written exam on every topic the new instructor will teach, on the standards and on risk mitigation. There is also a watermanship evaluation. In the water the candidate explains and demonstrates skills at presentation level. The skills come from the Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver and Rescue Diver courses, in confined water and open water. The candidate also runs stress management drills and an open water rescue of a diver from no deeper than 6 m.

On land the candidate plans, prepares and conducts lessons for confined and open water. The candidate gives lectures at proficiency level and shows the ability to control and supervise a group of divers. Site conditions also need responsible judgments: weather, depth, visibility, water movement and the level of supervision required.

Crossover from other associations

We are glad to cross over active instructors to their current instructor level. A crossover takes from two days. We agree on the program with you individually.

Rules of the course

• Medical: every participant completes and signs the standard Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire before the activity. A YES answer to any question in its final section requires written approval from a physician before diving. Without it the guest does not dive.
• Liability: every participant signs the standard diving General Liability Release and Express Assumption of Risk before the activity. Without the signed form the guest does not dive.
• Agency fees: instructors pay the fees for their ratings and the annual instructor fee directly to the agency, under the agency’s rules. An annual fee paid in October or later usually also counts for the next year.
• Documents: instructors send their medical forms, the physician’s approval and their professional liability insurance to the agency themselves, where the agency’s rules require them.

The other paths

• Technical diving instructor.
• Cave diving instructor.