Many people have asked me why I chose to be an independent instructor instead of working for a dive store. Certainly working for a dive store does have some benefits. Dive instructors who work at a dive store do not have to be proactive about finding new students to fill classes, you get discounts on dive equipment, discounted group instructor insurance, free air fills and the list grows. Even though there are many benefits to working at a dive store. However, there are many benefits to be an independent instructor that one should weight before making a decision.

I enjoy being a SDI/TDI instructor and I like the freedom they allow me to teach recreational classes. However, SDI has a policy that says it’s instructor base must teach through a SDI diving facility. Basically, they do not support independent instructors. It is their belief that only dive facilities can offer the best classes, along with selling gear, to give divers the best diving experience. This is 110% crap. Good independent diving instructors bring balance to the diving industry.

SDI, PADI, TDI, SSI, NAUI and all of the other training agencies should have only one purpose, to give the highest diving education possible.  The focus on selling more dive gear, travel, and classes should be low on the list. It makes sense that training agencies would not want their instructors teaching classes out the back of their truck or trailer, but a good independent instructor will only be focused on offering the highest quality diving education. If you take an instructor training course, you will quickly see that the agencies have added a "sell" approach to how their course content is presented to diving students. Since independent instructors cannot become dealers and sell diving equipment, their focus is mostly on the education they provide and not on selling stuff.

I remember the last open water class I taught for the last dive store I worked at I had 21 students, no assistants and no other instructors. Keeping within agency standards, I was able to take 8 people in the water at a time in order to get all of them through the class. With 21 people in a class, one on one time with the me was nonexistent. Since independent instructors do not get huge classes like this, students can get more time with the instructor and spend more time in the water practicing their new skills. Most likely, your class with an independent instructor will be a private class with just you in it. When student numbers are low, you will get more time with the instructor to learn and practice more.

It is frustrating when agencies such as SDI won’t recognize that independent instructors can offer a higher quality course than that of a dive store. Just because a dive store can offer equipment doesn’t mean they can offer high quality classes. It is unfortunate that the mainstream training agencies and dive stores have sold out diving education just to make a few bucks. But this can be changed. Customers and students can shift their focus from quick classes and shiny equipment towards getting more education for their dollar. When this shift starts to happen, we will see the good independent instructors gaining more popularity in the diving industry.

The honest truth is that people need to find the best instruction for their diving goals. This can come from a dive store or an independent instructor. So when researching that next diving class, consider all of your options.

I welcome your questions and comments.

Dive Safe,
Duane Johnson
Precision Diving

Tags: independent instructor, scuba instructor, dive store, scuba training agency, scuba diving, PADI, SDI, TDI, SSI, NAUI, diving facility,diving class