If I Have My OWSI, Why Should I Work Toward MSDT or Even IDC Staff?
You finished your IDC.
You passed your IE.
You earned your Open Water Scuba Instructor certification.
First of all — congratulations. That is a HUGE accomplishment and a major step in your dive career.
And then comes the question I hear all the time:
“I already earned my instructor rating… why should I bother working toward MSDT or even IDC Staff?”
Okay. Fair question.
Let’s talk about it.
You’re Certified — But Are You Competitive?
Are you done growing?
Are you done learning?
Are you done pushing yourself?
As an OWSI, you can teach all of the PADI core courses. That’s awesome. You worked hard for that.
But in busy dive markets like Hawaii, most instructors don’t stop there. A lot of them hold higher-level certifications — and that’s not by accident.
When a shop is hiring, they’re usually looking at something like this:
An OWSI with 1–2 specialties
An instructor with their MSDT (5+ specialties)
Or an IDC Staff Instructor
Who stands out?
It’s not that you aren’t capable. It’s not that you couldn’t absolutely crush the job.
But MSDT and IDC Staff show commitment. They show experience. They show that you’re serious about your career and not just checking a box.
That matters.
Let’s Talk About MSDT
Earning your Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating means you’ve:
Certified at least 25 divers
Earned 5 or more Specialty Instructor ratings
And those specialties can be whatever fits you and your environment — DPV, Sidemount, Self-Reliant, Deep, Wreck, Night… you name it.
Here’s what really happens when you earn MSDT:
Your knowledge expands
Your comfort level underwater increases
Your problem-solving improves
Your diver management gets sharper
And honestly? It makes teaching more fun.
You’re not just running Open Water after Open Water after Open Water. You get to mix it up. You get to teach the “fun stuff.” You get to create continuing education divers instead of one-and-done certifications.
That’s huge.
Now Let’s Talk IDC Staff
IDC Staff is a different ball game.
This is where you shift from teaching recreational divers to mentoring future professionals.
You’re no longer just teaching people how to dive — you’re helping shape instructors. You’re assisting with IDCs. You’re working alongside your Instructor Development Team and stepping into leadership.
That changes things.
It deepens your understanding of standards.
It sharpens your teaching.
It builds credibility.
And if you ever want to:
Own your own dive shop
Move into management
Become a Course Director
Or build a long-term dive career
IDC Staff is a serious stepping stone.
The Real Question
What kind of instructor do you want to be?
OWSI — You’re licensed to teach. Your world revolves around Open Water and Advanced students.
MSDT — You’re building range. You’re versatile. You’re teaching specialties and expanding your professional toolkit.
IDC Staff — You’re stepping into leadership. You’re mentoring instructors and building a long-term career pathway.
None of this is mandatory. No one is forcing you to keep going.
But if diving isn’t just a side hustle… if this isn’t just something you want to do part-time… if this is your career?
Then continuing your professional development is the key to staying relevant, competitive, and fulfilled.
So if you’re sitting there with your OWSI wondering what’s next, ask yourself:
Are you truly satisfied with where you’re at right now?