What to Expect Before and During the PADI Instructor Development Course

Are you wondering what actually happens during a PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)? Is it really as easy as the course director says? More importantly, what can you do to prepare for it and ensure that you get the most out of the experience?

If you’ve landed on this page, you’ve probably already decided to become a PADI dive instructor. You’ve done some research online and asked your own instructors what to expect. However, the IDC still seems somewhat daunting, so you want to know more in order to settle the butterflies in your stomach.

The IDC curriculum is pretty straightforward. Obviously, it's standardized so that all instructor candidates around the world can master the same things. At the same time, though, it can be customized to some extent to meet the particular needs of every person. On top of that, as your course director, it's my job to make sure you learn effectively and comfortably during your course.

Here's some information about the IDC's day-to-day activities to help you get ready for this life-changing experience. Being prepared will guarantee that you'll have fun in the process.

What to Expect Before the IDC

Like any other scuba diving course, the IDC is made up of knowledge development sessions in the classroom and skills practice in the water. And like any other scuba diving student, you prefer to be in the water than the classroom, right?

Thankfully, PADI recognized this and created the IDC eLearning program. It means an instructor candidate can complete up to 16 modules even before arriving at the IDC venue. Not only will you be able to study in the comfort of your own home at your own pace, but you'll also be done with a significant portion of the IDC in advance, giving you more time to perfect your teaching skills once we're face to face.

Nevertheless, you won't have to do eLearning all alone. You can receive guidance from me every step of the way if you wish, or you can schedule consultations only when you need clarifications about certain topics. In addition, each module has a short quiz at the end to check that you understand the important points. 

What to Expect During The IDC

Days 1–2: EFR Instructor Course

After arriving at the dive center, you'll spend the first couple of days polishing your first aid and CPR skills and learning how to teach them to others. As a PADI instructor, you'll be certifying Rescue Divers, Divemasters and Master Scuba Divers. These continuing-education courses incorporate these life-saving skills, so you must be proficient in them.

Furthermore, participating in the Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor Course before anything else is a wonderful opportunity for IDC candidates to get to know one another. Tapping each other’s collar bones, wrapping bandages around limbs and practicing the log roll technique on total strangers are very effective icebreakers!

After a short exam at the end of the second day, candidates will be able to proudly call themselves EFR Instructors. Aside from being able to teach primary and secondary care, care for children and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), you'll also be trained as a PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor as a bonus.

These two short courses will give you the confidence and competence to respond in an emergency, whether it's diving or non-diving-related. Moreover, they'll get everyone in the proper mood before the main event: the IDC.

Days 3–4: IDC Basics

The IDC officially kicks off with a course orientation. There are plenty of things to tackle in just 12 days, but breaking them down into short segments and scheduling the classroom and in-water sessions on alternating days make them easier to digest.

Since most (if not all) of the IDC eLearning modules have already been dealt with by this point, we can jump right into the workshops. These involve preparing the teaching presentations for your future students' knowledge development, confined water and open water classes.

It's also a good idea to conduct an assessment of your waterskills early on to know your strengths and weaknesses. Of course, you should already know how to clear your mask, remove and replace your scuba unit, navigate with a compass and perform rescue breaths while towing an unconscious diver back to the boat, etc. But if there's a particular skill you have trouble with, we can work on it together.

Moreover, you should be able to demonstrate all the skills slowly and clearly to your students and catch their errors and correct them. Don't worry, you'll learn how to do that throughout the IDC.

Day 5: Teaching on Dry Land

In the classroom, you'll learn how to put together teaching presentations for the different PADI courses from Open Water Diver to Divemaster and even specialty courses like Project AWARE Specialist, as mentioned earlier. You'll also get the chance to hone some unique and useful skills.

For example, you'll be able to tie bowlines, sheet bends and half hitches with your eyes closed when you're done with the IDC. You'll also master using a lift bag. This type of expertise will prove helpful when you conduct search and recovery dives in the future.

Day 6: Teaching in the Water

In-water sessions provide welcome breaks from lessons on dry land, but don't expect them to be all fun and games. Though being out on the boat is an excellent opportunity to clear everyone's heads, the training during the IDC reflects a dive instructor's top priority, which is student safety.

Aside from tutoring students and evaluating their skills, an instructor must be able to exercise control, both on the surface and underwater. This can be done more easily with the help of a certified assistant, but a lone PADI instructor should be able to do so safely and efficiently within the limits of the allowed teacher–student ratios.

Days 7–12: One Long Stress Test

The next days will seem like a whirlwind with two or three assignments to complete every day either in the classroom or in the water. By this time, it's common for IDC candidates to feel pressure or even complain that there's too much work to do and not enough time. However, there's a method to the madness, so just trust the process.

In truth, the Instructor Development Course can be seen as a two-week-long stress test. Surviving it means you can do anything you put your mind to . . . if you're willing to work hard. Similar to the diving courses you'll be conducting in the future, a positive attitude and a supportive atmosphere are essential for success.

Scuba diving might not be considered a team sport, but team spirit is an invaluable ingredient. To get through the rough patches, it's important for everyone to show solidarity, encouragement and kindness to one another.

Days 13–14: Preparing for the Written Exams

The two written exams are probably the biggest concerns for many IDC candidates. The first one covers the five dive theory topics: physics, physiology, equipment, diving skills and environment and the recreational dive planner (RDP). It’s probably been a while, maybe even years, since you studied these subjects during your DM course.

Not to worry! You'll have plenty of opportunities to review the dive theories before and during the IDC. In addition, I provide additional study materials to my candidates to ensure they're adequately prepared.

The other exam is about the PADI System, Standards and Procedures (SS&P), which is based on the PADI Instructor Manual. PADI members can download it from padi.com for free. The exam itself is open book, so there’s no need to memorize facts and figures, but it’s crucial to know where to find the required information to answer the exam questions correctly.

These last two days of the IDC are reserved for studying for and taking the written exams as well as fine-tuning your knowledge development, confined water and open water presentations. I also perform a one-on-one consultation with every candidate to discuss what to pay special attention to during the Instructor Examination (IE) as well as career opportunities.

Everything you need to know to pass the IE will be taught and practiced throughout the IDC. There are no secrets or surprises, so just stay calm so that you can concentrate on learning how to be the best instructor you can be.

The IDC Is Fun and Easier Than You Think

So that’s what the IDC is about. It’s an intensive course, and it’s definitely challenging. Sometimes you might feel overwhelmed, while at other times, you'll be tempted to take the day off and just sleep in.

Still, knowing what to expect is half the battle. If you already know what's going to happen, you can prepare in advance. For instance, self-study may sound tedious, but it’s one of the best favors you can do for yourself. If some tasks can be ticked off the list even before the IDC begins, then why not do them? That way, there are fewer things to worry about, and you can concentrate on enjoying your IDC

Yes, I said enjoying! The IDC is an experience you'll remember for the rest of your life. You'll form bonds with your classmates, course director and the IDC staff that will stand the test of time. You'll rejoice in each other's victories and provide support when the going gets tough, and that will be the most precious thing you'll take away from it.