Category Archives: PADI Instructor Development

We’re ready!

We have now finished the latest PADI IDC at Emperor Divers in Sharm el Sheikh.  Today was spent putting into practice all of the wonderful techniques that work so well in the “Real World” of  being a PADI Scuba Instructor.  All of the team really feel like they are already seasoned PADI Instructors.

The Funny thing is.. they are all looking forward to the PADI Instructor Exam tomorrow… BUT .. At the same time, they just don’t want the IDC Course to end!

We have had such a good time. Diving Instructors  never forget their PADI IDC.  Friendships are formed that last lifetimes. The teamwork that is generated is so powerful and so personal, and will last for many years to come.

Where will they be this time next year?

The good thing for Janet and I is that we keep in touch with all of our past IDC Candidates and are always on hand to give advice. For us it’s wonderful to see the change that is generated in peoples lives.

Our next PADI IDC at Emperor Divers start 22nd May. Let me know if you want to change your life!

learning to have fun

What’s a PADI IDC really like???

This is a question often asked by PADI Divemasters.  Of course the answer that they are given is based solely on the experience of the person giving the answer.  So in other words, if  a PADI Divemaster were to ask 100 different PADI Instructors the same question, they would get 100 different answers back.

As a PADI Course Director, I’m also asked the same question,  I can give a more general answer. I have taught over 85 PADI IDCs in my life so far!  and one thing is common in all of them – They are all different! No two IDCs are the same,  and no 2 IDC Candidates are the same.  I treat every single candidate differently.

But there is also one other thing in common with all of my IDCs, and that is that they ar a lot of fun! Every candidate enjoys the experience and  looks back at their experience with the same emotions as if it were a wonderful holiday!  Of course they learn lots about how to teach others to dive, but they also learn lots about themselves, and how to be succesful in their new role.

Comments that is being repeated time and time again on my current PADI IDC is that “Time is going so fast” and “I’m enjoying it so much-I don’t want it to end!”

Here is a video clip of an IDC that I taught in 2011,  of course my IDC has changed a lot since then because the needs of the typical Diving Customer has changed since then,  but take a look, you’ll get some idea of what to expect on a “Prior Knowledge IDC”

Also, see what others have been saying about our courses here.

During an IDC, I often meet up with candidates from a previous IDC and they always ask how the latest IDC is going, with a smile and a twinkle of excitement in their eyes.  This happened again today, it was Steffi from Emperor Nov 2011 who was doing the asking. So, (sooooooo!) for all of you who have been a part of our previous PADI IDCs, this is where the latest IDC is at.

Yeah! I an do this

The guys have now made three presentations in the classroom and their fear has turned into confidence. Do you remember those feelings yourself? Realising that this is something that you CAN do, even though you never thought you would be able to!

We are off to the confined water tomorrow, having already built some pretty solid foundations during the dry practice and coaching session outside the classroom.  But, you all know Steve, he is meticulous in the

Coaching Session

preparation and he will never let you do something he doesn’t already know you can do.

Any guesses how much extra weight I’ll be handing out tomorrow?