In 1959 the YMCA developed SCUBA training standards for instructors. Central Mass SCUBA offers the YMCA certification because these standards remain the most thorough and comprehensive in the diving industry.

YMCA SCUBA Instructors follow the philosophy of the YMCA while building self-esteem and nurturing personal growth in divers. YMCA leadership prides itself with maintaining values. Instructor certification permits an individual to teach SCUBA students how to become competent divers. The Instructor promotes safe diving and upholds the standards of YMCA SCUBA. The Instructor also teaches many specialty and leadership courses.

YMCA SCUBA has a three phase training sequence that leads to SCUBA Instructor. Each of these leadership institutes follows the same outline regardless of where it is offered. Candidates may then attend institute phases at different locations. Instructor crossovers from another agency are usually combined with Phase III institutes as the prerequisites and requirements are very similar.

Phase I – Advanced Training for Leadership
This phase provides you with information on advanced diving, YMCA SCUBA and the additional requirements and preparation required for farther leadership training. A pool session reviews basic skills and previews the pool teaching requirements for the other phases.

Phase II – Assistant Instructor Institute
Staff present lectures on teaching techniques and various subjects of the entry-level course. Your diving knowledge is tested with a written exam, and your presentation technique is evaluated when you give a short talk typical of an entry-level course. An open water session evaluates your ability to rescue a diver and conduct a tour dive as you may be called upon to do during a checkout dive. This phase prepares you to take a more active role in the training of SCUBA students while working with a SCUBA Instructor. You may also gain experience by teaching the YMCA Safe Snorkeling and Skin Diving courses. Prerequisites include current CPR and First Aid, Oxygen Administration, Dive Activities Management specialty course and S.L.A.M. course.

Phase III – SCUBA Instructor Institute
What you have learned during Phase I and II, the teaching experience you have gained as an Assistant Instructor and your additional study and preparation are evaluated during this phase. You must take several written exams, be evaluated on your classroom and pool teaching techniques, demonstrate proficiency in pool and open water skills and conduct a mock open water checkout dive with the staff playing the role of your students. Additional staff lectures cover the administrative aspects of being a YMCA SCUBA Instructor. Prerequisites include at least one year of diving experience since entry-level certification, documented 100 logged SCUBA dives, documented 15 hours of lecture experience, documented proof of assisting with at least three separate open water class checkouts

Please contact Central Mass SCUBA for more information on becoming a SCUBA Instructor

Please Contact Central Mass SCUBA for more information about this class.