Author Topic: licence from freelance instructor or instructor with dive shop (Read 1038 times)

erysyah · « **on:** January 31, 2010, 01:32:26 AM »

hi all,

would like to ask this quite some time.

Is it better to take licence from instructor attached with/hv a dive shop? or..
can I take licence from a freelance instructor that not attached to any diveshop/reg.company?

thanks.....

irukandji · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2010, 12:50:29 PM »

It's always peace of mind to take a course from a dive shop as a good dive shop will ensure you complete your certification, even if your assigned instructor can't finish your course. Most of the instructors from dive shops are also more experienced as they teach more. Student diver will also have better facilities like air conditioning class room, good AV system, better dive gear, safety equipment etc etc...

But bear in mind that not all the instructor attached to dive shops are good instructor. Some just work in a dive shop for a living, not so much because as passion. Teaching courses becomes routine to them, hence the student diver become boring. And small few numbers of instructors which are with famous dive centres become a bit too proud and could be impatient with their student. That will also reduces the fun during the course. Price wise also could be higher.

As for freelance instructor, I'd say that most freelance instructors have a day job. They just do this for passion, because they like to bring the joy of the ever so wonderful underwater world to their student.

Hence the whole course will become fun and exciting as the instructor will ensure the student diver experience the fun as he/she does during diving. I personally know some really good freelance instructors myself, so they can be good also. Price wise, most freelance instructors charge cheaper than dive shops. There is also a saying that freelance instructors seems to be friendly (maybe they work for themselves, need to keep a friendly image

)

We've heard from time to time, stories of MIA instructors after paying certain amount of fees to them. I wouldn't want to go into this but there's always a black sheep in all industries. Freelance instructors may not have all the luxury facilities that a dive shop could have. Worse still some instructors become freelance because no dive shop wouldn't wanna hire them.

Time table arranging could be a hassle if the instructor have a day job...

All of all, the rule of thumb is: Meet as many dive instructor as you can before deciding. Talk to them, ask questions, joke with them. Student - Instructor matching is a very subjective thing, even the best instructor would not be suitable to all. On the other side, even the biggest company will have bad track record. So I personally think it's not so important of where is better to take a dive course. The most important is finding the right instructor.

. Hope helps!

erysyah · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2010, 05:59:54 PM »

Quote from: irukanji on January 31, 2010, 12:50:29 PM

It's always peace of mind to take a course from a dive shop as a good dive shop will ensure you complete your certification, even if your assigned instructor can't finish your course. Most of the instructors from dive shops are also more experienced as they teach more. Student diver will also have better facilities like air conditioning class room, good AV system, better dive gear, safety equipment etc etc...

But bear in mind that not all the instructor attached to dive shops are good instructor. Some just work in a dive shop for a living, not so much because as passion. Teaching courses becomes routine to them, hence the student diver become boring. And small few numbers of instructors which are with famous dive centres become a bit too proud and could be impatient with their student. That will also reduces the fun during the course. Price wise also could be higher.

As for freelance instructor, I'd say that most freelance instructors have a day job. They just do this for passion, because they like to bring the joy of the ever so wonderful underwater world to their student. Hence the whole course will become fun and exciting as the instructor will ensure the student diver experience the fun as he/she does during diving. I personally know some really good freelance instructors myself, so they can be good also. Price wise, most freelance instructors charge cheaper than dive shops. There is also a saying that freelance instructors seems to be friendly (maybe they work for themselves, need to keep a friendly image )

We've heard from time to time, stories of MIA instructors after paying certain amount of fees to them. I wouldn't want to go into this but there's always a black sheep in all industries. Freelance instructors may not have all the luxury facilities that a dive shop could have. Worse still some instructors become freelance because no dive shop wouldn't wanna hire them. Time table arranging could be a hassle if the instructor have a day job...

All of all, the rule of thumb is: Meet as many dive instructor as you can before deciding. Talk to them, ask questions, joke with them. Student - Instructor matching is a very subjective thing, even the best instructor would not be suitable to all. On the other side, even the biggest company will have bad track record. So I personally think it's not so important of where is better to take a dive course. The most important is finding the right instructor. . Hope helps!

good point of view on the freelance instructor.
I know this freelance instructor who charge me with a reasonable price (quite cheap). There's no aircon room for study or reading.haha.
just follow the routine & compulsary lesson. there you go,the cert is yours..
I can save about 30% compare if I take course from the diveshop.
thinking of taking this one once season start..

Borneo Dream · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2010, 12:57:09 PM »

Hi,

I use to live and work in the UK as a Diving Instructor both recreational like PADI and Technical Courses like TDI for example. In the UK lots and lots of Instructors are freelance work in, through and without dive centres.

You often get better all round support with a dive centre but that is not to say the tuition or your understanding is any better. It is down to the Instructor.

You can have a centre with triple gold stars, platinum status etc. etc. but they still only produce average students. Small I always feels good, less of the factory farming feel to it.

As questions of the centre and instructor, meet them if possible and contact existing students for a feel. Never take to much notice of forums as they can be very easily manipulated, by having one person with lost of user-names.

Read them but make your own decision!

Enjoy and be a safe diver.

Thanks
Billy

bockbong · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2010, 03:01:25 AM »

Hi Ery,
Irukanji has few good points like Most Freelance inst teach diving out of passion, more flexible and offer lower rates.

Get to know 3 inst at least, and decide based on best chemistry. One meeting wight not be enough as those few hours wont be sufficient to REALLY know the inst. Check each inst out from certified divers. pm divers in this forum for more discreet answers, is a good idea.

I'm a freelance inst myself, and to me, reputation is everhting, as diving is a small world, especially in KL. U screw up smwhere, th whole industry will eventully find out.

So Ery, hapy hunting!!! n good luck

erysyah · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2010, 12:36:07 PM »

Thank Borneo Dream & Bockbong..
some good advise & point of view.It can be a refferal/suggestion to others who's going to take up licence & upgrading.

For me, it is better if the 1st licence (open water) to be taken through dive shop. This becoz they have more comfortable enviroment, equipments & support to the students.

nanda666 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:30:47 PM »

Best is to use a freelance intructor who's affiliated to a dive shop.....like me!!! hehehehe!!!

The "running away with your money" issue can happen anywhere so it's good to have an instructor who has a good track record, at least.

As I've said long ago, the "learning" is mainly a student responsibility and the instructor is a guide to ensure you're on the right path. (So whichever instructor you use is fine.)

For me and my gang (Soon to be students and my certified divers) the island trips are important as most of us are in the Oil & Gas industry and work can get pretty stressful.

I certified most of my guys/gals in Tioman...yeah...Tioman is our favourite "duty free" destination!!!

erysyah · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2010, 06:02:03 PM »

Quote from: nanda666 on February 04, 2010, 01:30:47 PM

Best is to use a freelance intructor who's affiliated to a dive shop.....like me!!! hehehehe!!!

The "running away with your money" issue can happen anywhere so it's good to have an instructor who has a good track record, at least.

As I've said long ago, the "learning" is mainly a student responsibility and the instructor is a guide to ensure you're on the right path. (So whichever instructor you use is fine.)

For me and my gang (Soon to be students and my certified divers) the island trips are important as most of us are in the Oil & Gas industry and work can get pretty stressful.

I certified most of my guys/gals in Tioman...yeah...Tioman is our favourite "duty free" destination!!!

nanda,

never dive tioman. would like to be there..
may be you can PM me ur charges. (AOWD certification? acco in Tioman? car pooling with u. heheh)

expressodupio · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2010, 11:29:00 AM »

Quote from: eryF on February 04, 2010, 06:02:03 PM

Quote from: nanda666 on February 04, 2010, 01:30:47 PM
Best is to use a freelance intructor who's affiliated to a dive shop.....like me!!! hehehehe!!!

The "running away with your money" issue can happen anywhere so it's good to have an instructor who has a good track record, at least.

As I've said long ago, the "learning" is mainly a student responsibility and the instructor is a guide to ensure you're on the right path. (So whichever instructor you use is fine.)

For me and my gang (Soon to be students and my certified divers) the island trips are important as most of us are in the Oil & Gas industry and work can get pretty stressful.

I certified most of my guys/gals in Tioman...yeah...Tioman is our favourite "duty free" destination!!!

nanda,

never dive tioman. would like to be there..
may be you can PM me ur charges. (AOWD certification? acco in Tioman? car pooling with u. heheh)

haha, I have to agree with nanda. especially the tioman is the best duty free spot!

. hence why i like to bring my students and friends there too. also.. senang mau pegi maa.
My personal take on this topic. It depends on what a student wants. both dive centres and freelance instr now strive to cater for the students needs. a dive centre has the resources to offer you good deals/price which most freelance cant provide. but then, you might not be able to request for a private or small group session a freelance can offer. most DC have a fixed place to do your course where freelance guys can somewhat try to go where the student wants to go. anyhow, its a consumers market. they choose. we try to provide. but i foresee there might be some difficulties later on... especially for the freelancers. but i guess thats not for general discussion.

anyhow...open season in tioman wey! i'm going 26-28th Feb. hurry book your ferry tickets because there's gonna be a mad rush mau terjun! haha.

Evelyn Bernadinus@ eve · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2010, 01:32:58 PM »

I agree with Expressodupio juga :-)

Next my turn jenguk Tioman!!

Yeeppeee!!!!

erysyah · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2010, 06:38:10 PM »

Quote from: Evelyn Bernadinus@ eve on February 05, 2010, 01:32:58 PM

I agree with Expressodupio juga :-)

Next my turn jenguk Tioman!!

Yeeppeee!!!!

I wannna join... boleh ikut tak??

expressodupio · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2010, 11:16:17 PM »

haha...everyone is welcomed in tioman

Evelyn Bernadinus@ eve · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2010, 12:40:54 PM »

I never been they but few of my friend working there before and one of my friend also went there juga :-)

I always spent my diving in Borneo la....... But I definitely come visit Tioman emmmmm.....Not sure when but might be this year juga, I will see you guys there.. and maybe see you guys here juga :-)

licence from freelance instructor or instructor with dive shop