Okay – so you’ve made the decision to change your life, to live your dream and become a PADI Instructor – congratulations! Now here’s how to rock your PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course) and ensure that you get the most possible from your experience! Here are our top tips for maximising your program and ensuring you become the best PADI Instructor possible – remember. it’s not about passing an exam, it’s about learning and developing to be the best you can be.
Get Prepared for your IDC from Home
There are several things you can do before leaving home to get prepared for your IDC. If you know you prefer writing notes on paper than on a laptop – buy a notebook. It sounds simple but these things make a difference when you arrive. If you are fortunate enough to live close to the ocean or already work as a divemaster jump in the water and start practicing your skills – remember that putting together your gear, entering and exiting the water all count too! If you do not live near an area where you can practice, watch the PADI Divemaster skills video to refamiliarise yourself with demonstration quality skills.
If you live in an area where you can practice demonstration skills, do so in advance
Get Equipped for your IDC before you Leave
Remember that you don’t just need to pack your basic scuba gear. You also need a compass, SMB, blank slate and pencil and weight belt (in case you are using integrated weights) and don’t forget to pack some extra clips to attach your teaching slates.
Remember to bring your teaching aids such as a compass, blank slates and clips
Break Open Your PADI Open Water Manual
While you are studying a higher level Pro qualification you need to be able to teach the basics and a large proportion of the IDC is based around the skills and theory taught on the PADI Open Water Diver Course so do some re-learning – it will help you on your IDC!
There is No Such Thing as a Stupid Question
If you are not understanding something during the course – ask! Don’t be shy, the chances are that if you are struggling then someone else is too. This is your course and you are making a large investment in taking part in it – if you have a question, don’t suffer in silence.
If you are not sure – ask! There is no such thing as a stupid question
Take a Break When You Need To
If you start to feel that you are “zoning out” ask for a break. Time is important during the course but we can only focus fully for up to 45 minutes at a time. If you feel like you are no longer taking in the information being delivered, stop, raise your hand and go and make a coffee, stretch your legs, do some star jumps – whatever it takes to feel refreshed and ready again.
Forget The Instructor Exams
The IDC is the PADI Instructor Development Course – this should be your focus. If you learn everything that is delivered on the course, the exams will be a natural follow up. Learn the course instead of trying to cram for the exams. The exams are purely to make sure that you understood the contents of the IDC.
Enjoy the IDC and forget the exams – they are just a formality
Imagine A Football Stadium
When it comes to demonstration standard skills imagine being on a podium in a football stadium. Everyone needs to see what you are doing so you need to make sure your actions are slow, deliberate, visible to all and more exaggerated than if you were just doing the skill for yourself.
Help your IDC buddies and form a team – you are in this together
Help Your IDC Buddies
During your IDC at Two Fish Divers, you will make friends from around the world and make friendships that will last a lifetime. If you can see that someone is having a hard time, display empathy and help if you can. Treat your buddies the way you would like to be treated yourself. Whether it’s in the water. out of the water or in the classroom, everyone hits stumbling blocks and having buddies to support you can make a world of difference – plus, remember you are training to be teachers!
You’ll make friends that will last a life time – make he most of your IDC and those around you
Remember That Your Course Director Was Once Where You Are Now
Our amazing PADI Course Director wasn’t born a CD – just like you, she worked her way up and has sat exactly where you are now. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the course and about her life as a PADI professional – she is full of excellent advice and insights.
Ready to take your IDC in Indonesia?
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Take your IDC with Two Fish Divers and choose between Two Fish Divers Amed, Nusa Lembongan, Gili Air or Bunaken.
Why not stay on for longer and explore even more of this amazing country and it’s phenomenal diving locations? We also have Two Fish Divers Resorts in Lembeh, South Lombok and South Bali!
