Qualifications

I am a PADI MSDT – a Master Scuba Diver Trainer trained and certified by the Professional Association of Dive Instructors, the most recognized dive training organization in the world.

I am also a Speciality Instructor, and Emergency First Response Instructor.

Although it may not be immediately obvious to those outside the dive world, the term “dive instructor” is actually senior to the rather cooler-sounding title of “divemaster”.

I was a divemaster, then after many more dives, courses, learning and exams I became an Open Water Scuba Instructor. Years later after teaching a whole bunch of students, and learning and getting qualified to teach a significant number of specialty courses, I became a Master Scuba Diver Trainer. The next level for me will be “IDC Staff Instructor”.

This flowchart (© PADI 2021) is quite helpful:

I hold the following Speciality Instructor qualifications:

  • Enriched Air [Nitrox] Instructor
  • Wreck Instructor
  • Deep Instructor
  • Underwater Navigator Instructor
  • Night Diver Instructor

And the following First Aid qualifications:

  • Emergency First Responder Instructor
  • Care for Children w/AED [automated external defibrillator] Instructor

I also have the usual clutch of additional Specialty Instructor certifications which PADI kindly bundles with the OWSI qualification. Teaching relevant to instructing these courses is included in the Instructor Development Course and exams, and therefore OWSI-qualified Instructors and beyond are also qualified to teach all these specialties.

So I am also a: Peak Performance Buoyancy Instructor, PADI AWARE Instructor, AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Instructor, and Dive Against Debris Instructor.

I have logged more than 1000 dives, I’ve spent more than 600 hours underwater, (plus more than 10,000 hours in the water as a swimmer) and so far I’ve taught and certified around a hundred students.

My first language is English but I can also speak enough French to teach diving in that language to French-speaking students if necessary. I can also hold a conversation in German, and my Spanish is improving rapidly.