Why PADI’s Instructor Development Program?

Why PADI’s Instructor Development Program?

If you have the passion for SCUBA, why not make it your lifestyle and teach it? One of the most rewarding aspects of being a PADI scuba instructor is the joy of teaching others to dive. There’s an unparalleled satisfaction in introducing people to the underwater world, witnessing their first breaths underwater, and guiding them through the adventure of becoming certified divers. It’s more than a job, it’s a journey of sharing the excitement of underwater exploration.

I have been teaching SCUBA and actively running my own dive centre namely Simply Scuba Pte Ltd for more than 30 years, I was a RAID and SSI instructor trainer for 12 years before I decided to move to PADI and becoming a PADI Course Director eventually. Please don’t get me wrong, all dive agencies, be it PADI, SSI, IANTD, GUE, NAUI, SDI or RAID, just to name a few, they all teach safe diving. The saying “same same but different” applies here. I guess it all boils down to the instructor and the comfort of the students whether they are successful in any particular dive course they embark on. Not to mention the support from the individual dive agencies in terms of training programs, material support, marketing and so on, that is also crucial.

For me the bottom line is this…..if I want to teach diving, why not offer something that a lot of divers and non divers know about? It may differ from country to country, but go to the internet, you will get your answer.

Part time or full time program? That really depends on the individual. Being entrenched here in Singapore, I believe a lot of us spend a great amount of time working and with family commitments as well, leaves little time to embark on the IDC program full time, hence I have offered part time programs since I started teaching IDCs, it has worked out quite well so far. Full time take about 3 weeks, part time is two months. Evaluations by PADI staff is conducted two to three times per calendar year here in Singapore.

What do you need to be before embarking on the PADI IDC program?

• Have attended a good open water, advance, rescue and dive master program, this will help you in fully understanding the courses offered as you will be teaching them!
• 100 logged dives, more will not harm you though.
• Trained in CPR and first aid. Physically fit as well.
• A solid foundation for dive knowledge which you should get in the dive master program.
• Lastly, a sense of pride, a willingness to learn more, coupled with a strong sense of responsibility, fun loving and a love for the environment is also a must!

What you will learn in this program?

• Extra dive theory knowledge.
• Dive skills at the instructor level.
• How to prepare and present a good and fun theory, confined water and open Water teaching presentation for any PADI courses you can offer, from basic to Dive master and certain dive specialties.
• Risk management.
• PADI system and administration.
• How to market and keep divers interested in dive courses.
• Dive Industry overview and what keeps us going.

Embarking on the path to becoming a PADI scuba instructor is a thrilling and rewarding adventure that allows you to explore the depths of the ocean while sharing your passion for diving with others. It’s not just about teaching, it’s about embodying the essence of a true diving professional.

Let the ocean be your classroom!

Yours In Diving.

Christopher Lee
PADI Course Director #466479
Simply Scuba Pte Ltd $6720