PADI Divemaster to SDI Instructor?

[leapfrog]

Hi,

Although I have been a regular member of the Board, this is my first New Thread Post.

I currently work at a Dive Center in Spain which is a PADI 5 star IDC and also runs TDI courses including Instructor courses. My boss is a PADI Master Instructor (so are most of the other instructors of the Center) and a TDI Instructor Trainer.

I am currently PADI Divemaster certified and I work mainly in sales, marketing and administration. I want to get involved in teaching Open Water and then perhaps rebreather specialties. I am not very interested in Extended Range Diving and OC Trimix. He has suggested to me that I think of doing the SDI Instructor's course rather than the PADI one. Could you all give me your opinions as to why he might suggest that route and what it means for me in the future as an instructor? On the face of it, looks as though i would have less students come my way in the future?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[Steve SDI/TDI HQ]

Judging by your goals and career aspirations, I'd say the Scuba Diving International route makes more sense. Learning our system will prepare you for a seamless transition to teaching more complex (technical) programs and it does sound like you intend to be teaching rebreather programs through Technical Diving International, given you work for one of our ITs!

Also, I'd suggest that teaching for SDI give you the potential to teach MORE students in the future not fewer since we have sport programs that other agencies do not offer as well as the usual suspects that are common to all. Great marketing opportunity to offer something different.

Have a read of the following and it you have any questions, email me directly.

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What program would you like to launch to help grow our industry?

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Increase profits though increased margins on teaching materials for your facility and your instructors. Consolidation decreases your cost of doing business; work with a business partner who cares about your bottom line.

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[leapfrog]

Dear Steve,

Well, I certainly can see why you are the Marketing and Communications Director! The only real problem I have is that SDI is just about unknown over here. I have a whole load of PADI people come in or looking for PADI certification. I get some SSI and the occasional BSAC and that is about it. Some CMAS or whatever Federation their home country gives out.

In technical diving everybody does come looking for TDI, though.

Thanks for the ten point P&G sales plan, though. I appreciate your time and trouble.

 

[Steve SDI/TDI HQ]

No worries at all... any time you need information, email me directly.

Also, becoming an instructor with ANY sport agency is the first step in your career progression and it's important you make it with a high level of comfort... and that you make a decision that you think will work. Whichever path you take, have fun, dive safe and try to let your students know how much you love the sport... it's the best gift you can give them.

 

[kitson]

Hi,

I took the exact same route. PADI DM -> SDI instructor. for me there are 2 main reasons:

1. the material and courses (ones i took and the ones I'm teaching now) are more intuitive. The important stuff are well described and the obsolete materials are less mentioned.

2. With TDI being their "parents"... it's the better route to get into tech diving further down the road.

I find that in the beginning when not many people know about SDI, you just tell them they're under TDI. Most of the time they'll be satisfy. Hope it helps!

cheers, kitson