Greg - 4/30/2009 10:53 AM
8 is the max class size for one PADI scuba instructor without a divemaster for assistance. You can have 10 with one divemaster assistant and 12 with two divemaster assistants.
My average class size is 4...much more manageable and fun for the students. I have had 8 students before...but when the class is that large, I either break up the open water dives OR bring in a divemaster or at least a "safety diver" (an existing certified diver that lends an extra pair of hands and eyes...not allowed to increase student/instructor ratio though).
The pool that I use is very large and will accomodate 8 divers easily. The deep end is a bit smaller...so I bring down two at a time while the other students watch and wait closer to the shallow end, facing me in the deep end (about 15 feet away from me).
Regarding the number of confined water or pool dives...there are 5 total confined water dives in PADI...some instructors will ascend and descend many more times than that. But as long as all confined water dive skills are completed you should be good.