The diving season has officially arrived! 🌊

If you stroll through diving communities these days, it is not hard to notice the bustling atmosphere of recruitment and staffing from dive centers of all sizes. The scuba diving industry in Vietnam is in a developmental phase, and the demand for dedicated and highly skilled Instructors is higher than ever.

At Rumblefish, we understand that transitioning from “diving for fun” to becoming an educator is a major turning point. That is why we are launching the PADI Instructor Development 2026 program with a clear roadmap and flexible schedules, while strictly adhering to PADI international standards.

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1. Why is this the golden time to upgrade to an Instructor certification?

The scuba diving market in Vietnam (from Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An to Con Dao) is expanding its scale. Holding an Instructor certification not only helps you fulfill your passion but also opens up:

• Global career opportunities: The PADI certification is a “passport” recognized in over 170 countries. This is especially advantageous as we live in Southeast Asia, surrounded by some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.

• Full autonomy over work and income: You have the potential to become a core staff member of a dive center, work part-time, or even establish your own dive club or center.

• The value and significance of the Instructor profession:

  • Imparting skills, confidence, and the ability to push personal limits to students right from the aquatic environment.

  • Training generations of safe divers who are environmentally conscious through AWARE / Green Fins certifications.

  • Teaching Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid skills to the community, both within and outside the diving industry—lifesaving skills that truly matter.

  • Contributing to the overall development of the diving profession, supporting the economic restructuring of coastal localities from fishing to sustainable tourism services.

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2. Details of Training Courses at Rumblefish (March – May 2026)

The Instructor training process requires candidates to commit their time and effort. The courses are designed around theory, practical application, simulated scenarios, and real-world operations.

The Instructor Development Team at Rumblefish offers flexible scheduling options: Flexible/Part-time and Full-time.

A. EFR Instructor (Emergency First Response)

Training to teach CPR and first aid classes in various environments (Care for Children, CPR/AED, Workplace First Aid).

• Prerequisites: * Must hold an EFR certification (or equivalent from recognized international organizations).

  • Exemption for: Physicians, doctors, medical professionals, or candidates with formal training in medicine, pharmacy, or public health.

• Training Schedule: Full-time (1 day) or Flexible (2 sessions) on any of the following dates: March 28 | April 03 | April 18 | May 10.

B. PADI Freediver Instructor (FI)

 

Become an instructor in one of the fastest-growing markets in Vietnam.

• Prerequisites (Candidates choose 1 of 2 pathways):

  • Pathway 1: Minimum certification of PADI Master Freediver (or equivalent).

  • Pathway 2: Currently a PADI Scuba Instructor (OWSI) and holding a PADI Advanced Freediver certification (or equivalent).

• General Requirements: Must be at least 18 years old, have completed an EFR course within the last 24 months, and possess a medical clearance signed by a physician (within the last 12 months).

C. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI/IDC)

The most crucial course to become a professional scuba diving instructor. At Rumblefish, the Instructor Development Course (IDC) roadmap is designed so that you not only pass the Instructor Examination (IE) but also truly master practical teaching skills.

• Prerequisites: Minimum certification of PADI Divemaster. Must have at least 60 logged dives to begin the course and 100 logged dives to attend the IE. Must have been a certified diver for at least 6 months. Must hold an EFR Instructor certification.

• Medical Requirement: Medical clearance signed by a physician within the last 12 months.

• Specific Training Schedules:

  • Part-time Schedule (April 21 – May 21): Suitable for candidates who want time to absorb theoretical knowledge and practice in-water skills in a steady, sustainable manner.

  • Full-time Schedule (May 10 – May 21): A phase of high-intensity, focused training, dedicating all efforts to prepare for the Instructor Examination (IE) immediately following the course.