MSDT or Instructor Internship in SE Asia

[lost: the island]

As mentioned in my introduction, after 5 years of working my ass off in school for my double major AND working 25 hours a week during the semester and 50-65 hours a week doing 2 jobs in the summer, I need a break. I have no debt and a decent sized savings account.


I want to go take a dive internship somewhere in SE Asia. I have my AOW for almost 2 years now and just shy of 200 dives. I want to go to MSDT or Instructor level.I love diving I like to teach and I feel this would be great on my resume, since my degrees are in coastal geography and biology, and im considering going back to school to do my education degree and teach, so this would look GREAT on my application!

What im looking for in the internship is everything included (course materials, padi fees, accommodation, unlimited diving)


What im asking from members here is opinions on places you have trained, or know of good reputations. I never trust reviews on each resorts personal websites. Below is a few places that meet the criteria, however I only looked in Thailand. Im very open as to which country its in, so feel free to suggest any dive shop that fits!

Thailand

Pattaya

-Mermaids
-Aquanauts


Koh Tao
-Master Divers
-Simple Life
-Crystal Dive
-Davy Jones Locker
-Big Blue Diving



PS. I speak fluent English, French, Spanish, and decent skills in German

PPS. Mods: if this is in the wrong forum, my apologies and please direct it to the proper subforum ( maybe Going Pro?)!



Thanks!

 

[DevonDiver]

Koh Tao is a good choice. I did my IDC there (with Crystal) and found it to be very educational. I was already a dive instructor when I went there (BSAC instructor, teaching in UK military dive clubs), so I was in a fair position to judge the quality of the courses provided.

One of the benefits of Koh Tao is that it has a huge dive industry, so there is plenty of chance to get hands-on with classes and, once you've finished your IDC, it won't take very long to attain the 25 student certifications needed to certify as MSDT. Crystal ran a very good post-IDC internship, where you can shadow and observe a large number of working instructors. This allows you to 'translate' what you learnt on the IDC into 'real life' teaching, especially the logistics and administration of training provision.

My favorite aspect of the MSDT internship was the time I spent with a local videography company (arranged via Crystal). Spending several weeks as a trainee (pro) videographer really helped me learn how to teach that as a speciality course. I also did nitrox (not a problem, as I had dived nitrox for years previously), deep (not a problem because I was already a qualified tec diver), DPV (again, not a problem due to past experience), Digital Photo (again, not a prob) and Search and Recovery (there were some great tips how to run this course).

The IDC itself was incredibly professional and Matt Boulton (the Course Director at Crystal) was extremely enthusiastic, approachable and absolutely dedicated to developing high-quality dive educators. There were 5 other trainees on the IDC and Matt proved to be an expert at delivering his training to cater for the individual strengths and weaknesses of his students. We had a great time and I hold some very treasured memories of my time on that course.

The experience I gained on the IDC and MSDT internship has carried me in good stead ever since - and resulted in a steady stream of diving jobs around Asia, including the management of several dive companies and now, the development of my own modest business in the Philippines.

I didn't do the DM course on Koh Tao, because I had previously qualified as a DM in the UK. However, from my observations of the DM program there, I would happily recommend it to any potential dive pro. Anyone who suggests that DM training in the tropics is 'less' than the same training in temperate/cold waters is talking out of their hat. The DMs on Koh Tao are worked hard, very involved with courses and get a solid foundation of experience that is essential for success in the dive industry. Of course, you can only get out of a course what you put into it... so your development requires a certain amount of determination, self-discipline and an eagerness to get involved and work hard. I've seen more than a few DM trainees get side-tracked by 'party lifestyle' on Tao... but their failings are a personal issue and no blame can be placed on their instructors or the operations they worked with.

Koh Tao is not famous for the quality of its scuba diving sites. To be honest, there are better reefs on the west coast of Thailand... and better still in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Having said that, Koh Tao is one of the primary diver training locations in the world... and the dive sites there are ideal for novice level divers and the conduct of training courses. The bigger dive centres on Tao will turn-over over 2000 certification courses per year... and this is a very important factor for the trainee Pro... whose exposure to, and involvement with, actual trainee divers and experienced instructors is a fundamental. If your goal is to become a competant, capable dive pro... then the conditions and industry on Tao offers the best circumstances to enable that development. If you just want to enjoy some quality diving, and gaining industry experience isn't a critical factor for you, then you could investigate a more sedate DM course at a less intense location.

 

[lost: the island]

One of the reasons I was looking at Koh Tao was the huge dive industry there, with lots of opportunity to get teaching experience. I could to it here, but what opportunity to get all the certs done, how many divers actually train here, and i dont want to be here anymore!

Im not into the party scene at all really. I just spent 5 years in school while working, i drank on my birthdays, some of my bsets friends birthdays, after finals and new years. Thats the extent of my partying. I put 110% into whatever I do.

The quality of the sites while training isnt a huge deal, as i will have the ability and free time to travel around SE Asia and dive, another reason why I want to go there!


Andy, thanks for the detailed reply!

 

[Ste Wart]

Be wary of the stigma that comes with taking your IDC on Koh Tao. All IDC's are not judges equally in the dive world. The course itself will be exactly as all other IDC's as will the I.E, but you may find it a hindrance later.

That said if you can teach in all the languages you mentioned, then it's a moot point.

These two have really good reputations as well.
Azman has a great reputation in Malaysai. He's pretty much the only CD of note in the country. Plus the diving on Perhentian easily outstrips anything you will find in the Gulf Of Thailand
Gopro Malaysia - PADI Best 5 Star IDC in Asia - In Association with Flora Bay Divers | Gopro Malaysia

Below is Dive Asia, Run by Bjorn Tackmann. This guy is the CD in Asia.
Phuket diving PADI IDC - CDC diving courses in Thailand with Dive Asia


Better yet. Find a small IDC shop that you catch a vibe from. Why go to factory when you can go to a Boutique? I found Lisa the CD at Palm Beach Divers

Palm Beach Divers | 5 Star PADI Instructor Development Centre - Koh Lanta - Thailand

To be a relaxed and approachble CD. She did the IDC for DM's of mine. And the service at the shop is great.

Thresher Shark Divers in the Philippines has also been recommended to me.
Malapascua Island Diving Philippines Cebu | Malapascua's Thresher Shark Divers

Great diving and it has tech if you are so inclined. I know Pattaya and Koh Tao does as well, but we're talking great diving compared to ... being wet!

Honestly an IDC is an IDC is an IDC. There designed to make you pass. The I.E actually stands for It's Easy. Go somewhere that you can have an identity rather than just be a cog in the machine. You'll enjoy it more.

 

[Bubble Junky]

Some good sites to checck out:

In the Philippines - Thresher Shark Divers

In Thailand: - Blue Horizon or Scubacat

 

[lost: the island]

I think I would like to go to Koh Tao to small-medium dive shop.

i Know there is a lot of hate towards Koh Tao, but with an area pumping out that many dms or instructors there is bound to be people who are just doing it because they can. And those people who dont really care, or go get plastered every night on the beach who just end up barely passing, cant be blamed on the instruction. Im also not doing zero to hero and have 200 dives, several certs past AOW and have a good diver.

Ive been in university for 5 years in both North America and Europe, and taking courses from amazing caring profs in their respective fields, and profs who hate the world and every one in it, and profs in between both extremes. I always got my A, and yet in every single class, people failed. It all depends on how much YOU put into it.


That being said, Ive read some good things about masters, buddha view, simple life, crystal and djl. Any opinions on these?

 

[DevonDiver]

I think I would like to go to Koh Tao to small-medium dive shop.

Master Divers then :cool2:

i Know there is a lot of hate towards Koh Tao, but with an area pumping out that many dms or instructors there is bound to be people who are just doing it because they can.

There's a lot of 'gap year' DMs and Instructors produced in Tao. Some of these are excellent, others are an embarrasment to the scuba industry.

That said, doing your IDC/MSDT on Koh Tao is just the start. Gaining some experience on Tao, before moving elsewhere won't be judged badly IMHO.

Employment in the scuba industry is much like employment in any other industry. You have to build a good CV, with a breadth of experience, solid references and evidence of progression.

Whilst some dive shops on Koh Tao do have a very good international reputation, for your long term development and employability as an instructor, it can be very sensible to limit the time you remain on Koh Tao, post-qualification. Get your IDC/MSDT...rack-up a few dozen certification...and then start actively campaigning to get work elsewhere.

And those people who dont really care, or go get plastered every night on the beach who just end up barely passing, cant be blamed on the instruction.

I've got some truly horrendous stories about the 'worst' of Koh Tao. I actually don't think that the island is any better, or worse, than any other international location. It's just a very big dive industry there... which makes the 'worst' more obvious.

On my IDC there, a trainee instructor (from Phangan, not Tao) turned up for his exams drunk... with a bar-girl/prostitute hanging off his arm. He spent the last half of his theory presentation actually argueing with the examiner. The same guy argued publically with the same examiner about the actual length of CESA he demonstrated in the pool. The IE examiner still let him pass?!?! That guy should NEVER have been a DM, let alone been allowed to pass an IDC. Was that the fault of Koh Tao? Nope... the IE's are appointed regionally...and none of them live/work on Koh Tao.

That being said, Ive read some good things about masters, buddha view, simple life, crystal and djl. Any opinions on these?

I'd give personal recommendations for Masters and Crystal. I've worked, learned and taught at both centres. Masters has a great vibe...very professional, intimate and friendly. My favorite centre for diving on Tao. There's nowhere else like it.

I never dived with the other centres, so will refrain from recommending them for that reason alone.

DJL seem very innovative also. A good resort, with some dedicated core staff. I never heard of any terrible deeds at that place (outside of the usual competitive banter and shenanigans amongst the rival tech diving crowds). They used to (still do?) encourage tech diving at a higher level (amongst DMs and Instructors)...so there should be a decent knowledge base and standards. They did BSAC courses also... so the wider breadth of experience should exist because they can see 'out of the PADI box'. That's all assumption, because I never took a course with them.

Buddha View... seems like a friendly and active resort. The only times I ever went up there was to goof-off with my friend's rebreather in their pool. That was several years ago. I enjoyed the vibe when I visited there..and the instructors seemed decent.

Simple Life. I never had much contact with them. My only view was that I sacked a DM that had been trained by them. I wasn't impressed with him at all... and was surprised that an instructor would sign off someone with an attitude that bad.

 

[dingopauly]

Hi, I was in the same position as you 1 year ago, and I had decided that mermaids looked like the best choice for me. I wanted to go from Rescue diver to MSDT. I booked a holiday and went there to check it out. So glad I did, it was very dissapointing, I booked a trip with them to check out their boat and operation to get an idea of how they worked and what sort of customers they got. the dive boat was full, but when you disregard the 12 snorkellers, the only other people on the boat were zero to hero interns or instructors. I was the only paying customer on the trip! while the website was very pro looking and the contact via email was excellent, the reality was poor. The course was overloaded with unneccesary padding courses to boost the course cost and time taken. if you are a card collecter thats fine, but I asked to remove some of the excess and they refused. Who needs full face com mask course for 10k baht? I also spoke with local instructors who had experience with mermaids, and the general opinion was that years ago they were good, but they were sold to a hotel chain owner and since then it had really gone downhill. The diving in the area is also poor, very limited vis and not much interesting to see.
In the end I canned the idea of an internship and decided to do my DM at an ordinary shop., I did the theory online and got cheap accom sorted myself. That way you control the pace, the location, and what courses you do, and you don't have to stump up a huge wedge in advance. if you dont like something you can take your cash to another dive shop.
Good luck with your dive career, but think hard about the internship. It really is easy to organise things yourself.

 

[lost: the island]

Thanks for the info

 

[lost: the island]

My other option is to train here in Canada, at Diving Dynamics in BC. Id come out of the course, which includes 30 day internship in Grand Cayman, ready to take the MSDT. 8 instructor ratings: open water, deep, night, multi level, nav, search and recovery, nitrox and DSAT EMR Adult, Child, Infant, AED. DSAT gas blender and PADI oxygen provider is also in there somewhere, along with DSAT TEC 40 and 45.

Also comes with several other certs: General Marine Engineering Certificate (G.M.E.C.), Dive Boat Specialist, Distinctive Marine Specialty , Cylinder Handling / Inspection CSA Z340B, Sherwood & Genesis Technical Certificates, Hyperbaric Chamber Operator Certification (CSA Z275.4 Competency) and STCW-95.

Then I could go to thailand for a few months, relax, then do MSDT and maybe do some more tec diving.