trebor

Hi Just wondering what effect age has on diving? also what ages are most instructors? would you consider someone plus 40 to start instructing as unusual - what is the pay like for instructing? how much work is involved on a day to day basis?

MgicTwnger

Age affects diving like it does anything else: it sucks. There are lots of over-40 instructors because they are at a point in their lives when they can afford to do a lot of work for little money.

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I am not the one who needs mental help. I just need to vent.

Scuba Mama

I am one of those over 40 instructors. Getting older means I am getting older and things sometimes ache more then they use too. I too know many instructors that are over the 40 mark. A good portion of us work either for a Local Dive Shop and follow their rules and time schedule or work independently. The pay is not glamorous, you will find in speaking with most of us, we do it because we enjoy it. I tell people I have my bill paying job and my fun job. I have a buddy who stopped at Assistant Instructor, he is able to teach a few things and gets to dive that is what he wanted. He states his main reason for not going the last step is he did not want the added responsibility and liability and instructor carries. Best advise go into the decision with your eyes wide open and know what your getting involved with.