Thailand's complete scuba diving information source: dive centres, dive courses, dive equipment, dive sites
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Gearing up for a rebreather training dive
A instructor takes a pair of students through their pre-dive ‘Buddy Check’
Becoming a Professional
Job done and it’s time to consider the world of the professional diver and, yes, this does actually mean getting paid to go diving and getting the chance to get all the cash invested in the courses back again – several times over!
The entry level course is the ‘Dive Master’ or, depending on training agency, ‘Dive Leader’. These are extremely popular in Thailand. Courses run over a number of days and can be taught over a longer period, thus allowing participants to gain some work experience along the way. As the whole focus of the qualification is based around taking care and control of others, rather than just to display a badge of completion, this is a great way to learn. And, with plenty of places in which do a course, it’s a popular option indeed.
Setting up a temporary base in one of the diving destinations is not really a problem − more of a dream. The weather’s good, the food tasty, the social life usually relaxed and friendly − and prices for everything are reasonable. In fact, the perfect conditions in which take the next step of qualifying to be a diving instructor.
There are several levels of instructor, with the top of the ladder being a ‘Course Director’, who trains divers to be instructors. Course Directors cannot certify instructors though; this has to be done by examiners from the training agencies themselves, who are flown in from all over the world. Instructor courses, termed as Instructor Development Courses, or IDCs for short, are scheduled on a regular basis, as are the Instructor Examinations (IE).
Many operators include complimentary accommodation for the duration of a diving course, especially for beginners. However, a number of the larger centres have taken things one step further and created tailor-made internship packages which, in some cases, include everything needed to sign up as a non-diver and leave as a qualified diving professional complete with a job, either locally or in another country!
These packages can also be joined at anytime during a diver’s career, no matter where they are qualification-wise; and, as they can include equipment and accommodation in the overall ‘package’, it’s a great opportunity to focus on the matter in hand without all the worry of having to plan dayto- day expenses and practicalities.
The standard of training is high, as is the essential advice on how to survive in the diving industry after completion. Once again, these centres are situated in all of the country’s diving destinations.
In fact the only thing difficult about learning to dive in Thailand is deciding where to sign up!
Originating in the UK, the bSAC
was formed in 1953, making it
the world’s largest dive club, with
1,000s of branches and over 33,000 members worldwide,
making it one of the most experienced diving agencies.
The ethos of the BSAC is to train divers to a level where they are competent to dive in UK waters. Courses are comprehensive in their content, but this doesn’t mean they are any more difficult to complete.
Over the last few years the BSAC has been steadily growing throughout Asia. There are now over 16 BSAC centres in Thailand located both on the east and west coasts.
Learn more about the BSAC at: www.bsacthailand.com
PADI was founded in 1966. It is the world’s largest recreational diving membership organisation. The membership includes dive businesses, resort facilities, academic institutions, instructor trainers, dive educators, divers, snorkellers and other water sports enthusiasts.
Professional PADI members teach the vast majority of the world’s recreational divers, issuing approximately a million certifications every year, whilst maintaining the highest industry standards for dive training, safety and customer service. The total number of PADI dive centres and resorts (IRRA Members) located worldwide is approximately 5,300, with over 1,000 of these in the Asia- Pacific region and over 250 located in Thailand.
For more about PADI, visit www.padi.com
SSI is a worldwide diver certification
agency and educational support
organisation and is recognised as an
innovative leader in diver education.
Founded in 1970, SSI provides state-ofthe-art training programmes, standards and materials for all levels of diver education. Courses are flexible, allowing instructors to tailor training to individual students’ needs.
Permanent certification cards are issued at the dive centre on completion of courses, which is handy for long term travellers. The first SSI regional centre in South East Asia opened in 1983 and is currently one of over 2,000 facilities in over 90 countries.
For more about SSI in Thailand, visit www.DiveSSI.com
Underwater Digital Photography Courses
One ever-more-popular underwater pastime is photography, albeit in the form of video or stills. However, these days it’s becoming increasingly rare to come across divers using film as their medium of choice – it’s all going digital.
The demand for, and indeed the popularity of, this newly found medium is increasing at an exponential rate, as is the technology itself. Just keeping up with the latest equipment releases and new terms introduced on an almost daily basis is challenge enough!
It’s no wonder, then, that digital underwater photography is a popular recreational diving course. All the three training agencies listed on page 65 offering certification courses in one form or another.
The entry level for the courses varies from absolute beginner to those requiring advanced training in image manipulation and editing techniques. In other words, opportunities for all to benefit – including professional photographers!
Both certification and non-certification courses are also offered by a number of renowned underwater photographers.
Dive THAILAND author, Paul Lees, is qualified to provide courses under all three training agencies and has also authored his own brand of photography programme which is tailored to suit individual needs at all levels, whether it be just guidance, advice, critique or full hands-on training. To find out more about Paul’s photography training programmes, contact him on paul@pocketguideonline.com
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