This is a multi part post for those wishing to take the IDC (Instructor Development course) and IE (Instructor Evaluation).
I am not a dive center or resort touting for business, this is purely based on my (recent) experience. Obviously, the course you take will depend on your previous experience and available time. I hope that it gives an insight into the requirements and process. As well as helping others to prepare themselves
This course prepares you with the knowledge and skills for the IE. It doesn’t teach you how to instruct, it teaches you how to work with the PADI system, use their materials and processes. How to undertake a course and control students safely underwater.
What do I mean by not teaching you how to teach? If you get a problem student who can’t grasp an exercise or skill, your IDC training won’t give you different methods to teach them. For this you’ll need to learn off other Instructors and develop your own knowledge and experience.
The Elements you will learn
The Instructor Manual, and Guide to Teaching for your standards Exam
Presenting Knowledge reviews
Confined water lessons
Open Water lessons
DSD
Because as an OWSI you’ll be able to teach OW, AOW, Rescue and Dive Master so you go over these courses. While the primary focus is OW skills both confined and Open, you can get practical’s from others (lift bag is a classic)
You also have to be an EFR instructor prior to IE .
Dive Theory isn’t included. You are expected to revise all this prior to the course. You’ll be examined in the following subjects:
Physics
Physiology
Dive Tables (RDP and eRDMml)
Equipment
General
You have to pass with a score of 75% in each section.
Within the Crewpack you do get a dive Knowledge workbook. Go through it, find out what you don’t know and used the Encyclopedia of Diving Knowledge as well as online resources to assist you.
You can also go through you DM knowledge reviews as a start.
Get this done before you start IDC, as you have no chance during it.
You will get a mock exam during IDC to test your knowledge, but little time to revise.
The biggest sticking point for most is Physics and the RDP/eRDPml
And yes you need to complete the PADI eLearning for IDC in advance too.
I chose to take the AI (Assistant Instructor) and OWSI as a combined back to back course . Including my EFR the whole course was 12 days. Obviously other dive centres will have different structures and timings (and costs too)
The one advantage for the AI is that you go through all of the Open water course, Standards, Knowledge reviews etc. So you get practice before hand. This made my OWSI easier as we were practicing and refining what you had learnt.
What you’ll need.
1. The IDC Crewpack which comes with the course
2. Instructor manual (from DM course)
The following aren't included but you’ll need:
1. Your own dive equipment including 2 surface signalling devices (whistle and smb), cutting tool dsmb and reel (for open water) and compass. An electronic one on yoru PDC is okay, but it’s much easier to teach and demonstrate with a wrist mount or one on a retractor.
Sure you can borrow, but at this level you should have your own gear
2. Tables, RDP and eRDPml
3. Latest copies of course manuals OW – DM. We got offered a package price to get the E versions which will be continually updated
4. You’ll need to download (for free) all the Project Aware course materials from Project aware.org
Your dive centre may give you some or all to borrow – but make sure you have access to it for the IE.
Learn the tables and eRDPml back to front. If you have only ever used a PDC, unlucky! The new IDC may change this but as it stands you do need to pass this section of the exam
Further Tips
Get the Instructor Manual as an electronic version (Guide to teaching too) and install then on your laptop or tablet (phone if you have good eyes). You’ll be constantly searching these docs, and in the exams being able to search for words and phrases will make your life easier
A supply of pens paper and pencils – HB for writing on slates and an eraser, highlighters, a calculator etc
An Aqua pencil (www.xit404.com) or Amazon – these are brilliant. Our CD had one, it only took us one use to realsie how good they were and we got our own delivered
Yes at $25 each for a starter kit inc a blank slate they’re not cheap but you’ll find them invaluable. I use the blank slate for writing extra notes for briefings and for problems and solutions underwater. I have the slate and pencil on a double ender so I can attach it to which ever slate set I’m using.
A 3M Scotch-Brite Easy Eraser Pad ($3 from Ace) will clean your slates in a jiffy
I preferred to use a Large slate (8” x 11”) to prepare my briefs and write notes so it’s easier to read. Your choice.
Mark all your slates with a permanent marker, if you can get SS split rings (large key rings) to join them all the better.
Make sure you have another good bag as all this doesnt fit into the rucksac
Remember STUDY DIVE THEORY!!
I am not a dive center or resort touting for business, this is purely based on my (recent) experience. Obviously, the course you take will depend on your previous experience and available time. I hope that it gives an insight into the requirements and process. As well as helping others to prepare themselves
1. IDC Preperation
This course prepares you with the knowledge and skills for the IE. It doesn’t teach you how to instruct, it teaches you how to work with the PADI system, use their materials and processes. How to undertake a course and control students safely underwater.
What do I mean by not teaching you how to teach? If you get a problem student who can’t grasp an exercise or skill, your IDC training won’t give you different methods to teach them. For this you’ll need to learn off other Instructors and develop your own knowledge and experience.
The Elements you will learn
The Instructor Manual, and Guide to Teaching for your standards Exam
Presenting Knowledge reviews
Confined water lessons
Open Water lessons
DSD
Because as an OWSI you’ll be able to teach OW, AOW, Rescue and Dive Master so you go over these courses. While the primary focus is OW skills both confined and Open, you can get practical’s from others (lift bag is a classic)
You also have to be an EFR instructor prior to IE .
Dive Theory isn’t included. You are expected to revise all this prior to the course. You’ll be examined in the following subjects:
Physics
Physiology
Dive Tables (RDP and eRDMml)
Equipment
General
You have to pass with a score of 75% in each section.
Within the Crewpack you do get a dive Knowledge workbook. Go through it, find out what you don’t know and used the Encyclopedia of Diving Knowledge as well as online resources to assist you.
You can also go through you DM knowledge reviews as a start.
Get this done before you start IDC, as you have no chance during it.
You will get a mock exam during IDC to test your knowledge, but little time to revise.
The biggest sticking point for most is Physics and the RDP/eRDPml
And yes you need to complete the PADI eLearning for IDC in advance too.
I chose to take the AI (Assistant Instructor) and OWSI as a combined back to back course . Including my EFR the whole course was 12 days. Obviously other dive centres will have different structures and timings (and costs too)
The one advantage for the AI is that you go through all of the Open water course, Standards, Knowledge reviews etc. So you get practice before hand. This made my OWSI easier as we were practicing and refining what you had learnt.
What you’ll need.
1. The IDC Crewpack which comes with the course
2. Instructor manual (from DM course)
The following aren't included but you’ll need:
1. Your own dive equipment including 2 surface signalling devices (whistle and smb), cutting tool dsmb and reel (for open water) and compass. An electronic one on yoru PDC is okay, but it’s much easier to teach and demonstrate with a wrist mount or one on a retractor.
Sure you can borrow, but at this level you should have your own gear
2. Tables, RDP and eRDPml
3. Latest copies of course manuals OW – DM. We got offered a package price to get the E versions which will be continually updated
4. You’ll need to download (for free) all the Project Aware course materials from Project aware.org
Your dive centre may give you some or all to borrow – but make sure you have access to it for the IE.
Learn the tables and eRDPml back to front. If you have only ever used a PDC, unlucky! The new IDC may change this but as it stands you do need to pass this section of the exam
Further Tips
Get the Instructor Manual as an electronic version (Guide to teaching too) and install then on your laptop or tablet (phone if you have good eyes). You’ll be constantly searching these docs, and in the exams being able to search for words and phrases will make your life easier
A supply of pens paper and pencils – HB for writing on slates and an eraser, highlighters, a calculator etc
An Aqua pencil (www.xit404.com) or Amazon – these are brilliant. Our CD had one, it only took us one use to realsie how good they were and we got our own delivered
Yes at $25 each for a starter kit inc a blank slate they’re not cheap but you’ll find them invaluable. I use the blank slate for writing extra notes for briefings and for problems and solutions underwater. I have the slate and pencil on a double ender so I can attach it to which ever slate set I’m using.
A 3M Scotch-Brite Easy Eraser Pad ($3 from Ace) will clean your slates in a jiffy
I preferred to use a Large slate (8” x 11”) to prepare my briefs and write notes so it’s easier to read. Your choice.
Mark all your slates with a permanent marker, if you can get SS split rings (large key rings) to join them all the better.
Make sure you have another good bag as all this doesnt fit into the rucksac
Remember STUDY DIVE THEORY!!
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