Instructor development Course (IDC)

You're getting close. Now it's time to start your PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). The IDC consists of two sections, the Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program. This structure lets you divide the course into two blocks for schedule convenience if you need to. However, you may prefer to complete the two portions together, going through the entire IDC in as few as seven days.

The first part of the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is the PADI Assistant Instructor course. This course provides you additional experience as a PADI Professional and teaches you the PADI System of diver education.

PADI Assistant

  • Teach knowledge development (classroom) presentations (under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor)
  • Evaluate Open Water Diver surface skills (under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor)
  • Teach the Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course
  • Teach the Project AWARE Specialty course
  • Conduct PADI Discover Scuba experiences
  • Teach Emergency First Response courses after successfully completing the Emergency First Response Instructor Course

Prerequisites

  • PADI Divemaster rating or qualifying certification from another organisation
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • 60 logged dives (with experience in night, deep and navigation)
  • Proof of CPR and first aid training within the last 24 months

What it takes

  • Self-study - Knowledge reviews, quizzes, lectures and presentations
  • Confined water - Skills review and assessment, workshops and presentations
  • Open Water - Workshops, rescue assessment and candidate presentations

OWSI
The Open Water Scuba Instructor program portion of the PADI IDC further hones your leadership and teaching skills to prepare you for life as a PADI Instructor.

Prerequisites:

  • PADI Assistant Instructor certification
  • Certified diver for at least six months
  • 60 logged dives (with experience in night, deep, and navigation)
  • Proof of CPR and first aid training within the last 24 months.

What it takes:

  • Self-study - Knowledge reviews, quizzes, lectures, presentations
  • Confined Water - Skills review and assessment, workshops and presentations
  • Open Water - Workshops, rescue assessment and presentations

You must have a minimum of 100 logged dives to become a PADI Instructor (though you can begin training as one with 60 logged dives)

Instructor Examination

After you complete your IDC, you demonstrate what you've learned in the Instructor Examination (IE). Here a PADI Instructor Examiner independently and objectively assesses your knowledge and skills, testing everything from dive theory to PADI training standards.
PADI is the only certification organisation that requires an objective, independent examination to qualify as a professional instructor. This balanced and consistent evaluation process is one of the hallmarks that make PADI professionals the most demanded and respected instructors in the dive industry.

Instructor Examination Prerequisites:

  • Successful completion of PADI IDC

What it takes:

  • Dive theory and standards and procedures exams
  • Waterskills and diver rescue assessment

Teaching presentations in classroom, confined and open water The PADI IDC curriculum consists of two parts the Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program. Combining the four day Assistant Instructor Course and the five day OWSI program into a continuous program with a days rest in between makes up our 10 day IDC program.

Successfully completing the AI course earns you the Assistant Instructor rating and allows you to work as Instructional assistant and independently conduct certain PADI programs. AI course completion also qualifies you to participate in the OWSI program.

During the AI and OWSI program it is important to understand that the staff will concentrate on your skill and knowledge development, not testing. The resort setting that we work in provides a low-stress environment that allows you to relax, which makes the learning easier. During the program our team of highly experienced staff will be on hand to offer you all the support you need.

Successfully completing the OWSI program (or an entire IDC) makes you eligible to participate in the PADI Instructor Examination (IE).

The IE is an evaluative program that tests your teaching ability, dive knowledge, skill level and understanding of the PADI system, attitude and professionalism. Instructor Candidates become Open Water Scuba Instructors only after successfully completing an IE.

THE ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR COURSE
The PADI AI is a further step forward to becoming an experienced diving educator. It will make your transition from diving leadership to diving professional smoother and stress free.
The course is performance based and an IE Candidate will be required to pass practical tests and written theory and PADI standards Exams.

Prior to the start of the AI / IDC candidates must complete al course knowledge reviews (16) in the Instructor Candidate Workbook.
The course will familiarize you with PADI Standards & Procedures to all aspects of teaching, effective academic presentations, assisting in the conduct and organization of PADI courses from Discover Scuba Diving up to specialties and leadership courses such as Divemaster and AI.

OPEN WATER SCUBA INSTRUCTOR (OWSI)
The PADI OWSI is a five day program that introduces you to the entire PADI System and focuses further on developing your abilities as a professional dive educator.

PADI Assistant Instructors or those who have completed the AI portion of the IDC as well as Instructors from other diver training organizations who want to become PADI Instructors must complete this portion of the IDC program. Successfully completing this program qualifies you to attend a PADI Instructor Examination .

WHAT IS IN THE OWSI COURSE
During the course you will give at least two confined water teaching presentations, two knowledge development presentations and two Open Water teaching presentations.

You will also participate in continuing education workshops like the Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver courses.
You will need to meet specific performance requirements in order to pass the IDC. Like the AI Course this is a performance based developmental process.

You will have several opportunities to meet the performance requirements. On successful completion of the OWSI Course, you will be awarded an IDC completion form which is your passport to the PADI Instructor Examination.

Course Schedule

  • Be certified as a PADI Divemaster or
  • Be a current instructor member in good standing with another recreational diver training organisation (BSAC, NAUI, CMAS, SSI)
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be fit for diving and submit signed medical dated within past 12 months
  • Have been a certified diver for at least 6 months
  • Have 100 logged dives and show proof of deep, night and navigation dives
  • Submit proof of CPR and First Aid Training within the last 24 months
  • Submit copies of any relevant non PADI certifications

IDC COURSE PREREQUISITES

  • Be certified as a PADI Divemaster or
  • Be a current instructor member in good standing with another recreational diver training organisation (BSAC, NAUI, CMAS, SSI)
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be fit for diving and submit signed medical dated within past 12 months
  • Have been a certified diver for at least 6 months
    > Have 100 logged dives and show proof of deep, night and navigation dives
  • Submit proof of CPR and First Aid Training within the last 24 months
  • Submit copies of any relevant non PADI certifications