PADI IDC prerequisites, booking your IDC, preparation and PADI IDC materials

In order to participate in a PADI IDC you must of course meet all the prerequisite requirements:

• Be certified as a PADI Assistant Instructor, PADI Divemaster, or as an instructor with another recreational diver training organization.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be fit for diving and submit a medical form signed by a physician within the last 12 months.
• Has 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.
• Submit proof of CPR training within the last 24 months.*

* For those whose CPR / EFR training has lapsed an update is included in the IDC Prep course or one can be arranged prior to or in conjunction with the IDC - check with Chris to see what can be scheduled for your IDC.

Once you are sure that the above requirements have been met you need to book your place on our Indepth PADI IDC program in Phuket, Thailand.

First please contact us to make sure that there is still space available on the program you are interested in !!!

When you have received confirmation that there is please download and print the "Indepth IDC Registration Form", fill it in and fax it to us. The fax numbers are on the form.

When we have received your booking and IDC package deposit we will reconfirm your booking with you by e-mail, fax or telephone. A 30% deposit is required to reserve your place. Deposits may be paid by filling out credit card details on the Registration Form (by far the simplest & easiest method) or by bank transfer to the following account:

Name: Christopher Owen
Account number: 601-600440-4, Siam Commercial Bank, Patong Branch
NOTE: If paying by bank transfer make sure to fax us proof of transfer along with the booking form.

Preparation for your PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) in Phuket, Thailand

The key to a relaxed PADI IDC is to come well prepared. Being well prepared is crucial to success and lessens the workload during the IDC and allowing you to concentrate more on developing rather than learning.

First - Check that you have all the necessary documentation.

You will need documentation (cert cards / certificates) of all certifications from Open water to Divemaster / Assistant Instructor. If you are missing any please contact PADI immediately and get the course certification date, instructor name and number, and your student certification number.

Make sure that you have photocopies of any non-PADI certifications that you might have as you will need to submit these to PADI with your IDC paperwork at the I.E.

Also at the IE you need hand in your "PADI Medical Certificate" signed by a Dr. You may download the form and either have it signed by a Dr. in your own country or in Phuket when you arrive. 

You will need to present your logbook and show proof of 60 logged dives for the IDC and 100 logged dives for the I.E.

Please bring 4 passport photos to Day 1 of the IDC.

If you are planning to stay in Asia and teach after your IE, please download the "Member Transfer Form" and fax it to both your PADI Local Area Office and the PADI Asia Pacific Office in Sydney. Please contact Chris for the names and numbers of the relevant people to contact.

Dive Theory

On which PADI course is Instructor Level Dive Theory taught ??
Answer: The IDC – WRONG ANSWER.

On which PADI course is Instructor Level Dive Theory taught ??
Answer: The PADI Divemaster Course – CORRECT ANSWER .. !!!

Please make sure that you are confident with your level of dive theory knowledge BEFORE the IDC. The best way to do this to buy, beg or borrow a copy of The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving and Diving Knowledge Workbook (The CD-Rom Encyclomedia includes both) and work your way through it along with the 1999 Divemaster exams. You will have ample to keep you busy during the IDC without having to worry about dive theory questions such as "what are partial pressures" or "how do I find minimum surface intervals with the RDP Wheel ?"

You know when you have mastered it when you can not only arrive at the correct answer - but also explain WHY each of the other answers is wrong !!!

During the IE exams are available in over 20 languages. Should the exam not be available in your native language you will be credited with extra time.

Please note that exams other than English need to be ordered from PADI well in advance of the IE, so please let Chris know as early as possible.

Get wet … !!!

Go Dive as much as possible – nothing replaces real life experience.

Assist your PADI instructor as often as possible.

Practice all your skills – especially the 20 skills of the PADI skill circuit found on page A6 of the appendix of your Divemaster outline. Concentrate on your buoyancy skills: hovering and fin pivots, out of air skills: buddy breathing both stationary and swimming and the controlled emergency swimming ascent (CESA) and your removal skills: scuba unit and weight belt – both at the surface and underwater.

Remember although an Open Water Diver can "do the skill", this is usually a long way off from the "demonstration quality" expected of an Instructor. You can always review the skills on the PADI Open Water video or CD-Rom.

When was the last time you DEMONSTRATED any of these … ???

If you won't have time to practice these consider joining the IDC Prep Course as it's a relaxed way to get some guided practice before the IDC itself starts.

If possible get a PADI instructor to watch you perform Rescue Diver Exercise #7: "Unconscious Diver on the surface." You can review an excellent demonstration of this on The PADI Rescue Diver video.

Again a demonstration and workshop of Rescue Diver Exercise #7 is included in the IDC Prep course.

Check all your dive equipment and make sure everything is serviced, up to date and ready for action. Warm Water Divers is a full dive equipment service center and stocks a complete range of extra items such as computers, compasses, knives, warm water wetsuits, slates, clips, slates, clips, straps and the like.

Lastly relax ….

It may seem like a lot but in actual fact you know most of the above already.

Do your Pre-study - remember the more prepared you are the less of a workload you will have during the IDC, leading to a more relaxed and enjoyable IDC !!!