PADI IDC / CDC in Phuket Thailand - The Team

Preparing for a diving career is a considerable investment of time and commitment. The right preparation significantly reduces your IDC course load and allows you more time to assimilate and apply the information you learn (Note: A number of important PADI forms are downloadable in Adobe Acrobat .pdf Format. To read Adobe Acrobat files, download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader).

To benefit the most from our program we encourage you to start your IDC already today: 

1. Check that you meet the prerequisites to attend the IDC/IE:
   • Be certified as a PADI Divemaster or PADI Assistant Instructor or as a current instructor member with another recreational diver training organization.
   • Be at least 18 years of age.
   • Submit medical clearance for diving signed by a physician within the last 12 months (PADI Medical Statement recommended).
   • Have been a certified diver for at least 6 months and logged at least 60 dives (IDC requirement).
   • Have been a certified diver for at least 6 months and logged at least 100 dives (I.E. requirement).
   • Submit proof of CPR training within the past 24 months.
   • Special IE option for PADI 5 Star CDCs:
     Candidates enrolled in five pre-and/or post-IDC courses (Pre-study, EFRI, Specialties etc.) OR candidates of a six-week career development program who successfully complete a PADI IDC, conducted by the CDC, may attend a PADI IE if they have been certified divers for at least six months, have logged 60 dives and are certified PADI Assistant Instructors (the AI course is part of the new IDC).
     CDC candidates who successfully complete an IE and subsequently meet the 100-logged-dive certification requirement will be certified as PADI Instructors when their paperwork has been processed by PADI.
2. Please complete the Sign me up form. We will then reconfirm your reservation by e-mail within 24 hours.
3. Check that you have documentation of ALL your certifications from Open Water to Divemaster or Assistant Instructor. If some of them are missing please contact  PADI prior to the IDC and ask for a fax or e-mail confirming your certifications and PADI Number (if available). Some of you may have certifications from other organizations. Please bring them so we can provide PADI with a photocopy.
4. Complete an IDC Application Form and fax it to us.
5. If you are planning on a diving career in South East Asia, please remember to transfer your PADI Membership to our local area office in Sydney, as soon as possible. This will save you valuable time when PADI processes your IDC Application. Please download the Membership Transfer Form, complete it and send it to your current PADI office and the Asia Pacific office in Sydney. You will find the appropriate addresses and fax numbers on the form.
6. All tourists are granted a 30-days tourist visa upon arrival in Thailand. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days we will recommend that you obtain a 60 Day Toursist visa or Non-immigrant B visa via your local Thai Embassy prior to entering Thailand. This will save you both time and money later.
7. Please bring (or purchase via us, at a special IDC Candidate price) the following required PADI materials: PADI Instructorcrew Pack (digital or paper version).
   In addition the PPB, Project Aware & Coral Reef Conservation Specialty outlines. You will also need the RDP Wheel, Table and eRDP.
8. It is highly recommended that you purchase a PADI Knowledge Workbook and answer all the questions. This is the absolute best way to prepare for the IE Dive Theory Test.
9. Make sure that all your equipment is complete and in good working order.
10. Try to go out with an Instructor as his/her assistant as often as possible.
11. Join our IDC Pre-study program.
12. RELAX! And look forward for an enjoyable IDC as a well-prepared candidate

The PADI Instructor Development Program prepares you to function as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. In addition, it further develops your leadership and teaching abilities to the instructor level and prepares you to teach PADI programs.

To qualify for the PADI Instructor Development program, you must:

1. Be certified as a PADI Assistant Instructor or a PADI Divemaster, or as an instructor with another recreational diver training organization.
2. Be at least 18 years old.
3. Be fit for diving and submit a medical form signed by a physician.
4. Have been a certified diver for at least six months and logged at least 60 open water dives with experience in night, deep and navigation prior to beginning the Instructor Development Program, and have been a certified diver for at least 6 months and logged at least 100 dives prior to entering the Instructor Examination.
5. Submit proof of CPR training within 24 months.

During the PADI Instructor Development program, you’ll learn the PADI System of diver education, standards and procedures, effective academic teaching presentations, teaching in confined water, conducting open water training dives and additional related topics. You’ll learn these topics one of two ways; through the PADI Instructor Development Program (IDC) or the PADI Instructor Orientation Program (IOC)

Note: the IOC is an option available only if you’re an instructor that is current with another certification organization and wish to become a PADI Instructor.

After successful completion of the IDC or IOC, you must successfully complete the PADI Instructor Examination (IE). You will be evaluated on; dive theory, academic teaching, confined-water (pool) teaching, open-water teaching and general diving skills and professionalism.

As a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor you can conduct the entire range of PADI experience programs and PADI diver programs, from Open Water Diver through Divemaster (except for specialties and PADI Emergency First Response, which require specific Specialty Diver Instructor and Emergency First Response Instructor ratings).

After successfully completing your PADI IDC/IOC and IE, you receive a certification card and certificate denoting this rating. You’ll also become a member of PADI and receive benefits, including the ability to purchase professional liability insurance (which may be required to conduct some activities).

BSAC Levels and how they correspond with PADI:

• Ocean Diver/Club Diver may enroll in a PADI AOW
• Sport Diver may enroll in a PADI AOW
• Sport Diver w/min. 20 dives may enroll in PADI Rescue Diver
• DIVE LEADER may enroll in a PADI Divemaster course
• Advanced Diver may enroll in a PADI DM or AI course
• Club Instructor may enroll in an IDC
• Open Water Instructor may enroll in an IDC
• Advanced Instructor may enroll in a PADI IOC.

CMAS Levels and how they correspond with PADI:

• CMAS 1 Star Diver may enroll in a PADI Advanced Open Water Course
• CMAS 2 Star Diver (with verification of Night and Navigation dive) may enroll in a PADI  Divemaster course
• CMAS 3 Star Diver may enroll in a PADI Assistant Instructor Course
• CMAS 1 Star Instructor may enroll in a PADI IDC
• CMAS 2 Star Instructor may enroll in a PADI IOC

SSI levels and how they correspond with PADI:

• SSI OW = OW may enroll AOW
• SSI AOW = AOW may enroll Rescue
• SSI Stress & Rescue Techniques = Rescue may enroll DM, must assess rescue skills!
• SSI Master Diver = Rescue/MSD may enroll DM, must assess rescue skills!
• SSI First Aid & CPR = MFA (provided training completed within past 2 yrs)
• SSI Dive Con = DM can enroll 1995 curriculum AI (or 2001 curriculum IDC = AI +/- OWSI)
• SSI OW / Dive Con Instructor -> either one can enroll in 2001 OWSI program, provided candidate is a current member with SSI and has been an instructor member with SSI for at least min 6 months, and all other OWSI prerequisites are fulfilled

To become a PADI Emergency First Response® (EFR) Instructor, you you’ll need to be a PADI Instructor or Assistant Instructor who has satisfactorily completed an EFR Instructor Training program. As a EFR Instructor, you may conduct EFR programs for divers and non-divers who want CPR and first aid training including basic emergency medical care knowledge and skills.

To enroll in a PADI EFR Instructor Training program, you'll need to have successfully completed a EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE® program as a student. Training and Certification Teaching Status PADI Program Directors who are also PADI EFR Instructor Trainers may conduct PADI EFR Instructor Training programs. The EFR Instructor Training program teaches instructor candidates to conduct the seven modules of the EFR program including: Primary Assessment, CPR, Obstructed Airway, Control of Bleeding, Shock Management, Illness Assessment and Injury Assessment.

Once you complete the PADI EFR Instructor Training program, please submit to the appropriate PADI office a completed application signed by the PADI Program Director who conducted the training along with a photo and your processing fee. Only renewed PADI Instructors and Assistant Instructors may apply for EFR Instructor certification. If you’re an instructor candidate, but not a PADI Assistant Instructor, you may apply for EFR Instructor certification only after becoming certified as PADI Instructor.

PADI Specialty Instructors have the best of both worlds. No only have the earned the qualifications to conduct main stream dive programs such as the PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced, Rescue Diver and Divemaster programs, they can also conduct PADI Specialty Diver programs. These programs help divers to hone their skills in specific area or facets of diving such as wreck, night and deep diving.

PADI has a variety of standardized specialty diver programs that you may conduct once you have earned PADI Specialty Instructors rating in that specific area. These each program is supported by outlines and a variety of other student learning materials. In addition to the standardized specialty programs, as a PADI Assistant Instructor or higher you may write your own distinctive specialty programs, which may be conducted once approved by PADI.

If you’re already a PADI Assistant Instructor or higher and want to qualify as a PADI Specialty Instructor, you’ll need to attend a Specialty Instructor Training Program (conducted by a PADI Course Director) or apply directly to PADI.

During the Specialty Instructor Training Program you’ll receive valuable hands-on training, technique demonstrations, program marketing information, current PADI Standards information and, when applicable, instructor-level open water training. To enroll in a Specialty Instructor Training Program, you’ need to must be a renewed PADI Assistant Instructor (certified/upgraded using the 1995 revised curriculum), a renewed PADI Underwater Instructor (or PADI Instructor with a higher rating) or have completed an IDC/IOC** within the past 12 months.

*After successfully completing specialty instructor training, PADI Assistant Instructors may apply only for PADI Specialty Instructor certification in nondiving specialties.

**Instructor candidates may apply for PADI Specialty Instructor certification only after becoming certified PADI Instructors.

All Instructors know the importance of providing oxygen at the scene of a dive accident. Shouldn’t you be able to offer a student comprehensive training in the use of oxygen equipment?

Any PADI Assistant Instructor or Instructor, who has the DAN Oxygen Provider rating (and/or PADI Oxygen First Aid certification) and has current CPR training, is eligible to become a DAN O2 Instructor (and PADI Oxygen First Aid Specialty Instructor).

Offering the DAN Oxygen Provider course is a great way to add to student learning during Rescue / MFA programs and increase revenue. It’s a fun and easy way to increase the number of Specialties you teach as well as an opportunity to get non-divers or local staff involved in dive training.

The one-day program includes review of Instructor and student Manual Materials, DAN O2 slides and DAN O2 video. Practice sessions include: Role model demonstrations and Micro Teaching Presentations.

If you’d like to become a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, you must be a PADI Instructor who have at least five PADI Specialty Instructor ratings. This qualifies you to conduct all training requirements for the Master Scuba Diver rating. (Peak Performance Buoyancy and Project AWARE Specialty Instructor ratings do not apply.)

To apply for the Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating you need to be:

1. Be a renewed PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.
2. Be certified as a PADI Specialty Instructor for five or more specialty ratings.
3. Have issued at least 25 PADI Diver certifications.

To apply for certification, please submit to the appropriate PADI Office a completed Master Scuba Diver Trainer application with your photo and application fee. Upon approval of the application, PADI will issue an internationally recognized Master Scuba Diver Trainer certification card.

The PADI IDC Staff Instructor program is designed to provide you (PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainers) with the additional training necessary to staff PADI Instructor Development programs. This program builds upon your experience and abilities as a dive educator while concentrating on developing evaluation and counseling skills. Through independent study, classroom sessions, guided evaluation training and an internship, you'll learn to teach the PADI Assistant Instructor program and assist with instructor development programs.

As a PADI IDC Staff Instructors you'll be qualified to:

1. Independently teach and certify PADI Assistant Instructors.
2. Conduct specific IDC/IOC training segments under direct supervision of a PADI Course Director.
3. Evaluate, critique and counsel IDC/IOC candidates.
4. Assist with instructor level continuing education programs.

To enter into the PADI IDC Staff Instructor program, you'll need to be a current PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

After you successfully complete the PADI IDC Staff Instructor program, you'll receive an internationally recognized certification card and wall certificate denoting this rating.

Basically, the more time you have to take this program, the more experience and hands on training you will receive. We strongly believe that practical, real life training is far more interesting, practical and enjoyable than other approaches. We're sure that the time you spend with us will be prove to be some of the most rewarding of your diving career.

DL Course Prerequisites: PADI Divemaster, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor or equivalent

The program will include the following topics:

• Organization of Shore, Daytrip, and Liveaboard diving logistics
• Equipment considerations, including maintenance and field adjustments
• PADI Equipment Specialist course
• Promotion of diving activities and continuing education
• Seamanship, including Radio Operations and Global Positioning Systems
• Activation and Operation of Emergency Procedures
• Introduction to Recompression Chamber Operations
• Supervising and Conducting Shore, Daytrip, and Liveaboard diving operations
• Environmental Awareness considerations in a tropical resort environment
• Compressor Operation and Maintenance
• Recompression Chamber Dive

This course will give you hands on experience in dealing with diving clientele and the demands they place on the staff. It is an essential component of your resume when you apply for work as a diving instructor with a resort, anywhere in the world.

DRM Course Prerequisites: PADI Divemaster, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor or equivalent

The program covers the following topics:

• Course planning, scheduling and promotion:
  You will learn to define your most-likely customer group and their needs for instruction in introductory, entry-level and advanced diver training; write course schedules for different courses allowing for maximum flexibility; integrate with other diving and non-diving activities; and schedule available classroom and pool time efficiently. You will also identify methods to communicate course information and course availability with your potential customers.

• Excursion program planning, scheduling and promotion:
  You will learn to compose a comprehensive excursion / activities program, offering as wide a variety of choices as possible to accommodate your customers and their different levels of training. You’ll also become familiar with the promotion techniques needed to bring customers into your dive store.

• Scheduling of human resources:
  In order to maximize the efficiency of the dive center staff, you'll need to develop staff rosters for diving and maintenance duties in a way that is considered fair by all.

• Customer reception and counseling:
  It is said that you never get a second chance to create a first impression. You’ll learn to make your customers feel welcome from the first moment you receive them and to counsel them on their needs and expectations. You’ll be able to avoid conflicts, and in a worst-case scenario, solve conflicts as quickly and fairly as possible.

• Equipment and spare parts management - maintenance and repairs scheduling:
  You’ll learn to set up a maintenance schedule for diving equipment according to manufacturer’s recommendations, keep an inventory of spare parts, and know when to order materials without the risk of overstocking.

• Cash management: reporting, billing and accounting:
  You’ll learn to bill customers for products sold and services rendered, and to generate the various accounting records necessary for an accurate account of turn-over towards your principals.

• Contracts and job descriptions - rights and obligations:
  Although your principal may have drafted the staff-employment contract, it will be your duty to explain the terms-of-contract conditions to your staff and to determine the criteria necessary to ensure an objective evaluation of acceptable staff performance.

• Occupational liability - legal responsibility and defensive measures:
  In spite of the staff’s best intentions, misunderstandings still may occur. You will learn to prevent conflict situations by defining the duty of care your staff has towards your clientele.

BD Course Prerequisites: Scuba Instructor recommended

The course content includes the following topics:

• Dive Industry Overview: The environment in which this industry thrives: statistics, forecasts, and evaluation.
• Business planning: Focused investing and financing, office automation, budgeting, taxes and business law.
• Retail Sales: Effective strategy and staff training
• Diver Education: Scheduling and pricing of diver training for profitable business.
• Dive Travel: Determining and serving the needs of the traveling diver: business income potential.
• Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing: The all too important skill of reaching out to your customers and informing them of the products and services you offer.
• Dive Center Physical Operations: The nitty-gritty of the dream to own and operate a successful dive center. You'll need to know about the costs of equipment and maintenance, as well as facilities such as classrooms, pools and access to open water training sites.
• Staff Management: Human resources can be your most important assets when job descriptions are clearly understood, agreed upon and performed.
• Risk Management: Especially in our litigious society, an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. You’ll learn techniques to safeguard yourself, your staff, and your customers against potential lawsuits.

This seminar is loaded with information, including numerous dive industry specific tips. These techniques and strategies will help you succeed in this extremely competitive industry. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced professional, Positive Approach Selling is for you.

ST Course Prerequisites: Divemaster or Scuba Instructor recommended

The seminar will include the following topics:

• Attitudes
• The Psychology of Selling
• The Nuts and Bolts of Selling
• When Objections Get in the Way
• Closing Techniques
• Putting it all Together
• Scenarios
• Practical Applications