Master Boat Handling Skills – Become a PADI Boat Diver Instructor at Diving Academy

At Diving Academy, we believe great dive instructors don’t just know how to teach—they know how to lead safely and confidently, even before anyone enters the water. That’s where our PADI Boat Handler Instructor (Boat Handler Specialty) course comes in. If you’re ready to take control at the helm and pass on your knowledge of boating essentials, this course is designed for you.

You’ll begin by exploring the core purpose of the Boat Handler Specialty. We break down its philosophy and show you how to teach divers the skills they need to operate boats safely and responsibly. This includes understanding common boating scenarios, proper handling techniques, and how to respond effectively to real-world challenges.

Throughout the course, we guide you through standardised Instructor Guides, along with supporting manuals, eLearning modules, and videos. You’ll gain access to all the materials you need to deliver professional, compliant, and engaging training.

Next, we focus on the practical. We walk you through the relevant sections of the PADI Instructor Manual, especially the General Standards and Procedures Guide. You’ll learn how these standards apply to open water training dives within the Boat Handler Specialty. We’ll also cover all required instructor and diver equipment, along with recommendations tailored to local environments.

To reinforce your knowledge, you’ll complete several hands-on workshops, including:

Specialty Instructor Course Outline Review
Knowledge Development Workshop
Marketing and Promotion Strategies
Pricing and Cost Planning
Open Water Dive Workshop

These interactive sessions prepare you to deliver training with skill and confidence. You’ll also explore how the Boat Handler Specialty supports your progress toward certifications like Master Scuba Diver and Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

Additionally, we’ll discuss how to introduce Junior Divers to boat handling in an age-appropriate, engaging way. By completing this course, you gain a valuable addition to your teaching portfolio and expand your opportunities as a PADI Boat Handler Instructor.

Join us at Diving Academy and become a PADI Boat Diver Instructor who leads above and below the surface. Ready to take the helm? Contact us today to reserve your place or ask any questions about prerequisites and upcoming course dates.

Prerequisites

Medical Requirements

Scuba diving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Chronic health conditions, certain medications and/or recent surgery may require you to get written approval from a physician before diving.

Avoid disappointment, download and review the Diver Medical form to ensure you won’t need a physician’s approval to dive before enrolling in a scuba course. Instructors, divemasters and dive shop staff are not physicians and should not be asked for medical advice; only medical professionals can give medical clearance to dive.

If you (or your physician) have questions about medical fitness to dive, contact the experts at Divers Alert Network (DAN).

Your Medical Statement must be signed by a physician within the last 12 months or full HSE Medical. Under the Diving at Work Regulations 1997, all divers at work must have a valid certificate of HSE fitness to dive issued by an Approved Medical Examiner of Divers (AMED), please Contact Us for more information.

All Specialties

PADI Instructor (Scuba, Tec, Mermaid & Freediving), or you are currently participating in or have completed an IDC/OWSI Program within the past 12 months. IDC/OWSI candidates may apply for Specialty Instructor certification only after successfully completing an IE.

Specialties Without Dives

PADI Assistant Instructor
PADI Divemaster for these courses: Emergency Oxygen Provider, Equipment
Specialist, Coral Reef Conservation, Project AWARE Specialist and PADI
Distinctive Specialty Diver (approved).

Exception: Both Divemasters and Assistant Instructors may attend Digital Underwater Photographer specialty instructor training courses.