So you want to be a scuba diving instructor? Part 1

There I was sitting at the desk on my IE, the PADI Standards and Procedures exam opened in front of me and a row of fruit and herbs in front of me.
I was stuck on question 32, trying to work out how a peach related to the Open Water course.
Now before you start looking for the soft fruit section in the Instructor Manual, this turned out to be a dream. Or was it a nightmare?
So you can guess the pressure I had put myself under to qualify as a PADI instructor.

I had not really wanted to be an instructor. I was happy when I qualified as a Divemaster. The position seemed to fit perfectly. I was good at the logistics, the running around behind the scenes, the friendly sergeant type who students could go to for advice and help.

And then came a dive in Egypt. Within our group were two youngsters. One seemed to have a problem getting down and the guide seemed to signal to him to surface on his own and find the boat. As I was diving in a team of three (my wife and another English guest) I decided to step in. They could buddy each other and I could help the youngster. In the end the dive passed off without incident but it got me thinking about my diving future. At the same time while on holiday my boss 'kindly' called to say my job was at risk. Again, my future came to the fore.

So I got back and signed up for my AI with Aquasport.

Now my knowledge, dive skills and presentation style were really put to the test. I didn't see the pool as a problem, but the classroom was another story.

More later.

Scuba Diving Jewellery

Like most people, when you get chatting to your scuba diving instructor you'll find they often have hidden depths to them.

Some play in their own bands, some like gliding, others run their own businesses. Take Jason Clarke, from Aquasport International in Birmingham. A qualified PADI and BSAC instructor he also has his own range of handmade jewellery called Evolution Jewellery.


Jason at work

The 37-year-old spent 21-years as a professional jewellery maker in Birmingham's prestigious Jewellery Quarter before becoming a full-time PADI instructor.

He used his love of the water as an inspiration for his jewellery and the range has taken off. His signature piece is an eye-catching fish-bone design, which comes as a pendant, bracelet and as a set of cufflinks, one you may have seen it advertised on the pages of dive magazines in the UK recently.

Each piece is handmade by Jason at his own workshop. Check out his website for the full collection.

And remember blokes, if you are planning a weekend away diving and want to guarantee quick agreement, something shiny like jewellery is always going to help win the missus over.

I should know, my wife already has a few of Jason's pieces.