Pro Dive and other IDC's

[larrandall]

I am looking for any feedback anyone can offer information about IDC's especially Pro Dive Ft. Lauderdale. I am an experienced diver and the possibility of continuous classes to achieve the goal of a Master Instructor and Resort Operation Specialist appeals to me. In visiting with some people in the profession I hear two sides. I hear that Pro Dive graduates are highly in demand, even so far that some operations will not hire anyone but Pro Dive graduates. On the other hand, I hear from my local LDS that it is a "rush 'em through" cattle car operation and they would not hire an instructer who graduated from there. It goes without saying that this LDS has their own IDC.

I realize that I am opening up what could be a pretty heated debate here but to hear strong opinions from both sides would be beneficial to my decision.

Thank you all in advance for your participation.

 

[mixdiver]

A friend of mine is at pro dive right now. He says it is nice but I won't know more till he gets back in a few weeks. I am taking my IDC through the shop I am going to be working for. PM me in a few weeks if you want to know more about pro dive

 

[plongeursousmarin]

I am considering Pro Dive for my IDC. They comped me two dives when I visited and toured the facilities in June and I thought they were very nice. Someone at one of the local shops here in Boulder, CO, went and did her IDC/IE MSDT and she said it was fantastic.
The responses you get are going to be of high interest for me because unlike you I don't plan on teaching at a resort but part-time in Florida, so it would be interesting to see if local shops shun you if you've been trained by what they probably consider "The Competition". Thanks for submitting this post.

 

[gjmmotors]

To do ROS you have to go to Pro Dive.
I went through Pro Dive, I enjoyed it and recommend it. The CD's, Staff and MI's there are excellent.
As is the nightlife.
-gm

 

[plongeursousmarin]

To do ROS you have to go to Pro Dive.
I went through Pro Dive, I enjoyed it and recommend it. The CD's, Staff and MI's there are excellent.
As is the nightlife.
-gm

What's an MI?

 

[Tollie]

Hi,

MI=Master Instructor

I’m a Pro Dive Grad and can tell you that it is not a cattle operation. It is a high quality by the book operation that prepares you to take and pass the IE. It goes beyond that to prepare you to be an instructor, a by the book instructor. Yes Pro Dive grads are in demand. Pro Dive has a placement counselor that will work with you on employment. You will receive position offers. Now if your LDC with an IDC of its own is willing to bring you on after completing then consider it strongly, especially if you are not mobile. But if you are willing to travel you will find employment.

 

[plongeursousmarin]

Hi,

MI=Master Instructor

I’m a Pro Dive Grad and can tell you that it is not a cattle operation. It is a high quality by the book operation that prepares you to take and pass the IE. It goes beyond that to prepare you to be an instructor, a by the book instructor. Yes Pro Dive grads are in demand. Pro Dive has a placement counselor that will work with you on employment. You will receive position offers. Now if your LDC with an IDC of its own is willing to bring you on after completing then consider it strongly, especially if you are not mobile. But if you are willing to travel you will find employment.

Thanks, that's helpful. Unfortunately I won't be able to travel (wife and kids you know... that lifestyle is too late for me unfortunately).

 

[lhpdiver]

I did not do my IDC with ProDive, but chose my LDS instead. My IDC probably went on for several months. Looking back there is probably no reason to not knock off the book/classroom stuff in a weekend, but I got alot of real-life experience in the pool/ocean. I'm guessing here but I probably got in 40 dives, with students, as part of my IDC. Of course I was "free" labor... I think I also paid about half as much as ProDive's listed rates.

When I took my IE I think there were a dozen or so ProDivers and me. They were like an army. They showed up together in vans, they prepared together, they really were like a team. I was a little envious. They were very well prepared. They certainly knew what was expected of them. Their instructors stopped in several times during the weekend. My instructor was running his business.

The ProDivers spoke very well of their experience.

(Of course I was very well prepared as well )

 

[gjmmotors]

And we all dressed the same.
-gm

I did not do my IDC with ProDive, but chose my LDS instead. My IDC probably went on for several months. Looking back there is probably no reason to not knock off the book/classroom stuff in a weekend, but I got alot of real-life experience in the pool/ocean. I'm guessing here but I probably got in 40 dives, with students, as part of my IDC. Of course I was "free" labor... I think I also paid about half as much as ProDive's listed rates.

When I took my IE I think there were a dozen or so ProDivers and me. They were like an army. They showed up together in vans, they prepared together, they really were like a team. I was a little envious. They were very well prepared. They certainly knew what was expected of them. Their instructors stopped in several times during the weekend. My instructor was running his business.

The ProDivers spoke very well of their experience.

(Of course I was very well prepared as well )

 

[lhpdiver]

And we all dressed the same.
-gm

In fact, ya'll kind of shared a physical likeness