Silent Immersion

Padi - Scuba Instructor

The instructor development process is a combination of programs designed to enhance instructor candidate’s abilities as dive professionals, as well as offer specialized training programs, all of which are intended to increase their success. This process begins with the Padi Assistant Instructor course and ranges through Specialty Instructor training, IDC Staff Instructor courses and business education programs. The foundation of Padi instructor development is the Padi Instructor.

Development Course (IDC). The program consists of two parts-the Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program.
AI course completion also qualifies candidates to participate in an OWSI program.
Successfully completing the OWSI program (or an entire IDC) makes candidates eligible to participate in a Padi Instructor Examination (IE).

The IE is a completely evaluative program that tests the instructor candidate’s teaching ability, dive knowledge, skill level, understanding of the Padi System, attitude and professionalism. Instructor candidates become Padi Open Water Scuba Instructors only after successfully completing an IE.

Padi IEs are standardized, objective evaluations conducted by Instructor Examiners representing one of Padi’s international offices.

IDC Course Prerequisites
To enroll in an IDC course, an individual must:

1. Be certified as a Padi Assistent Instructor or hold a leadership level certification with another recreational diver training organization.
2. Be at least 18 years old.
3. Be fit for diving and submit a Medical Statement for a diving medical examination conducted within the past 12 months. A licensed physician must sign the form and state that the candidate is fit for diving. The physician signing the form may not be the applicant.
4. Have been a certified diver for at least six months and have completed and logged at least 60 open water scuba dives (as documented in the individual’s log book) and have documentation of experience in deep, night and navigation diving.
5. Submit proof of CPR and first aid training within the last 24 months.
6. Submit documentation of any qualifying certification for entrylevel, advanced, rescue and leadership-level issued by another recreational diver training organization. (Padi Members who have these records on file at Padi do not need to resubmit.)
7. If not a Padi Divemaster, successfully complete the Padi Divemaster course diver rescue skills assessment.