Jason Karten: SDI Instructor Trainer Ambassador
Hi, I’m Jason Karten. I’m honored to be a part of the SDI Instructor Ambassador Program. I’ve been diving since I was just 10 years old.
What was the first dive you did and how did it influence you to start a career in the diving industry?
I fell in love with the ocean and diving at the age of 10 when I attended the summer camp CIMI (Catalina Island Marine Institute). It was not until much later that I realized that I could make a career out of it and have been learning and teaching ever since.
What do you believe is the most important trait of a professional educator and why?
To create the perfect mix of safety and fun
What is your favorite SDI class to teach and why?
My favorite SDI class to teach is the research specialty. Going into it I know that the students have a love and respect for the underwater world and I can teach them everything I know and not hold back. It is in this class that I find people that get as excited as I do over seeing a fish.
What is a bucket list dive you still have?
Diving with dugongs
What is one bit of advice you would give to a perspective Instructor candidate about to embark on becoming an SDI Instructor?
Take this seriously. You are introducing people to a life-changing new world and they will remember you and the knowledge you give them, forever.