17 Scuba Diving Instructor Interview Questions and Answers

Have you ever dreamed of getting paid to travel the world and explore the underwater world? As a scuba diving instructor, you can turn that dream into a reality! Scuba diving instructors work with students of all levels, from beginners who have never even been in the water before to experienced divers who are looking to take their skills to the next level.

No matter what level your students are, you will need to be able to answer their questions and help them feel comfortable in the water. You will also need to be able to effectively communicate with your students and ensure their safety while they are diving. To do this, you will need to be knowledgeable about scuba diving safety procedures, the underwater environment, and the gear that is used in scuba diving.

If you are thinking about becoming a scuba diving instructor, you will need to ace your scuba diving instructor interview. In this guide, we will give you some of the most common scuba diving instructor interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you CPR certified?

Scuba diving instructors must be CPR certified. This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the necessary qualifications for this role. If you are not CPR certified, consider taking a course before your interview.

Example: “Yes, I am CPR certified. In fact, I took my certification class last year and plan on renewing it in two years. I believe that safety should always come first when teaching students how to scuba dive. I also think that being CPR certified shows that I’m dedicated to helping others learn new skills.”

What are the most important qualities for a successful scuba diving instructor?

Scuba diving instructors must be able to communicate effectively with their students. They should also have a passion for scuba diving and the ocean, as well as experience teaching others. Scuba diving instructors are often passionate about the sport, so it’s important that you show your enthusiasm when answering this question.

Example: “I believe the most important qualities for a successful scuba diving instructor are patience and communication skills. As an instructor, I need to make sure my students understand everything I’m telling them. It’s also important that I can answer any questions they may have during or after class. Patience is especially important because some students may not be as comfortable in the water as others.”

How would you describe the underwater world to someone who has never been diving before?

This question can help the interviewer understand your teaching style and how you might describe a new experience to someone. Use examples from past experiences or refer to what you’ve learned about scuba diving in your research to answer this question.

Example: “Scuba diving is an amazing way to explore the underwater world, which is full of life and color. I would tell them that it’s important to take their time when they’re exploring so they can really see everything around them. It’s also important to follow all safety procedures while diving because there are many things that could go wrong underwater.”

What is your experience with scuba diving?

Scuba diving instructors need to have experience with scuba diving. Employers ask this question to learn about your background in the field and how long you’ve been doing it. They also want to know if you’re certified, so they can check your credentials. In your answer, share what kind of experience you have as a diver and any certifications you have. If you don’t have certification, explain why.

Example: “I started diving when I was 12 years old. My parents took me on vacation to Florida, where we went snorkeling at an underwater park. I loved it so much that I decided to take lessons. After completing my open water certification, I continued diving for fun. Now, I’m looking to make it more than just a hobby by becoming a professional instructor.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a student overcome a challenge while learning to scuba dive.

Scuba diving instructors must be able to help students overcome challenges while learning. This question helps the interviewer determine how you handle problems and whether you have experience helping students learn in a classroom setting.

Example: “In my first year as an instructor, I had a student who was very nervous about scuba diving. She would often miss class because she felt too anxious to attend. After talking with her for several weeks, I realized that she was afraid of water. We worked on overcoming this fear by practicing breathing exercises in shallow water. Eventually, she overcame her fears and learned to scuba dive.”

If a student were to get hurt during a dive, what would be your first action?

Scuba diving instructors must be able to keep their students safe at all times. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to handle emergency situations and make quick decisions in a stressful environment. In your answer, demonstrate that you can think quickly and act decisively when necessary.

Example: “If I noticed one of my students was having trouble during a dive, I would first try to help them by giving instructions over the radio. If this didn’t work, I would bring the student back up to the surface as quickly as possible so they could get oxygen. Once we were on land, I would check for any injuries and call for medical assistance if needed.”

What would you do if a group of students were not interested in learning the basics of scuba diving and wanted to dive more advanced sites?

Instructors must be able to motivate students and encourage them to learn the basics of scuba diving. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience dealing with unmotivated students and know how to get them excited about learning. In your answer, explain that you would try different methods to engage the students and help them understand the importance of mastering the fundamentals before moving on to more advanced dives.

Example: “I’ve had a few classes where some students were eager to dive deeper sites while others wanted to focus on the basics. I always start my lessons by explaining why it’s important for everyone to master the fundamentals first. Then, I use different teaching techniques to keep all of my students engaged in the lesson. For example, I might give bonus points to those who complete their assignments early so they can spend extra time practicing skills.”

How well do you communicate under pressure?

Scuba diving instructors often work in high-pressure environments. They need to be able to communicate clearly and calmly with students, especially when there is a problem underwater. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you can handle stressful situations well. In your answer, explain how you stay calm under pressure. Share an example of a time when you had to perform under pressure.

Example: “I have experience working as a scuba diving instructor for the past five years. During that time, I’ve encountered many different challenges while teaching. For example, one student once lost their mask during our dive. I needed to remain calm so I could help them find it. Luckily, we were only about 10 feet below the surface at the time. I helped the student locate their mask and put it back on. We then finished the rest of the dive.”

Do you enjoy working with people?

Scuba diving instructors often work with students of all ages and backgrounds. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with a variety of people. In your answer, share about a time when you worked well with others. Explain that scuba diving instructors must be patient and encouraging.

Example: “I love working with people because I find it so rewarding to see someone learn something new. When I was teaching my first class, I had a student who was very shy. She didn’t want to speak up in class or participate in group activities. After a few weeks, she started talking more and asking questions. By the end of the semester, she was one of the most confident divers in our class.”

When is the best time to start learning how to scuba dive?

Scuba diving instructors need to be able to teach students of all ages. Employers may ask this question to make sure you can work with a variety of age groups. In your answer, explain that it’s never too late to learn how to scuba dive. Explain that the best time to start is when someone feels comfortable in water and has good eyesight.

Example: “I believe anyone can learn how to scuba dive at any point in their life. The best time to start learning is when someone feels comfortable in water and has good vision. Scuba diving requires both physical strength and mental focus, so I would want my students to feel confident in their abilities before starting.”

We want to attract more female students. Do you have any ideas on how we can do that?

Scuba diving is a male-dominated industry, and many schools want to attract more female students. Hiring an instructor who can help divers of all genders learn the sport can be beneficial for your school. When answering this question, explain how you would encourage more women to join the program.

Example: “I think it’s important to make sure that everyone feels comfortable in our classes. I have experience teaching both men and women, so I know how to adjust my lessons based on the gender makeup of the class. For example, if there are more women than men, I will focus more on safety techniques and equipment maintenance. If there are more men, I may spend more time practicing skills like underwater navigation.”

Describe your teaching methods.

Scuba diving instructors must be able to teach students in a way that is easy for them to understand. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience teaching others and can adapt your methods based on the needs of each student. In your answer, explain what techniques you use when teaching scuba diving lessons. Explain how these methods help you engage with students and ensure they learn the material.

Example: “I believe it’s important to find a teaching method that works best for each student. I try to assess my students’ learning styles before beginning any class so I know which teaching methods will work best for them. For example, if I notice one student has trouble paying attention during lectures, I’ll break up my lesson into smaller chunks or provide more visuals to keep their interest. Another student may need more hands-on practice, so I might spend more time practicing skills than lecturing.”

What makes you stand out from other scuba diving instructors?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their team. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other scuba diving instructors. You may also want to mention any certifications you have that make you stand out.

Example: “I think what makes me stand out is my passion for teaching others. I love being able to share my knowledge with students and help them develop new skills. Another thing that makes me stand out is my certification as an emergency first responder diver. This certification allows me to teach students important safety techniques in case of an emergency underwater.”

Which scuba diving certification do you have?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have the certification they’re looking for. If you don’t have the exact certification, explain what other certifications you do have and how that makes you qualified for the position.

Example: “I have a PADI Open Water Diver certification. This means I can dive up to 30 feet deep in open water with no assistance from another diver. I also have a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification, which allows me to dive deeper than 30 feet in open water or in areas where there’s limited visibility. I’ve been diving for five years now, so I’m confident in my abilities as an instructor.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when diving?

Scuba diving instructors need to be able to teach their students how to dive safely. This question helps the interviewer determine if you understand what safety precautions are important when scuba diving and whether you can effectively communicate them to your students. In your answer, explain why safety is so important in scuba diving and give an example of a time when you helped someone learn about safe diving practices.

Example: “Safety is the most important thing to remember when scuba diving because it’s crucial that divers know how to stay safe underwater. When I was working as a scuba instructor at my last job, one of my students asked me what the most important thing to remember while diving was. I told him that it was to always make sure he had enough air in his tank before going underwater. He nodded and said he understood, but later on during our class, he went underwater without checking his air supply.”

How often do you recommend students dive?

Instructors need to be able to make decisions about when students should dive. This question helps the interviewer assess your decision-making skills and how you apply them in a teaching environment. Use examples from past experiences to show that you can think critically and use evidence to support your conclusions.

Example: “I recommend diving as often as possible, but I also understand that some dives are more important than others. For example, I once had a student who was preparing for an underwater photography competition. He wanted to practice taking pictures of marine life so he could get used to using his camera while submerged. We scheduled several extra dives where he practiced taking photos and critiqued his technique.”

There is a new type of scuba equipment that you have never used before. How would you learn how to use it?

Scuba diving instructors need to be able to adapt to new equipment and techniques. This question helps employers determine how you learn new things, as well as your willingness to try something different. In your answer, explain that you would research the new equipment thoroughly before using it in a class. You can also mention that you would ask an instructor who has used this type of equipment for advice on how to use it effectively.

Example: “I have always been interested in learning about new scuba equipment. I think it’s important to know how to use all types of scuba gear so that I can teach my students how to use them safely. If there was a piece of equipment that I had never used before, I would do some research online to find out more information about it. Then, I would talk to other instructors who have experience with this equipment to get their advice.”