PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)
Koh Tao, Thailand

Question

How hard is the IDC?

Answer 1

The IDC should be a challenge, but one your Divemaster training has prepared you for. Through years of experience and collaboration, we have a system designed to give you as much help and support as you need before, during and after the Instructor Development Course.

The minute you book your place in one of our programs you gain access to our unique resources to begin studying, allowing you to walk in on day one full of confidence. Get in touch with our Course Director Julian@simplelifedivers.com for a sample of our exam prep material to test your knowledge and get feedback today!

Before the IDC you can also brush up on your core skills found here, find time on each dive you do to keep your skills fresh! The Instructor Development Course is designed to be completed in six days. Our two week program ensures you have time to master each component of the instruction and get more than twice as much practical experience and practice as is required. This allows us to run a highly flexible program that meets your needs and ensures your success.

Answer 2

Meet Julian Pirie, an award winning Course Director with over ten years of experience in the professional dive industry.

Julian’s journey into scuba diving began as an underwater archaeologist. He worked on Roman shipwrecks in Menorca and the initial mapping of the underwater site of Portus Iulius in Puzzuoli.

Three of the most highlighted moments in his career:

Becoming one of the youngest to be certified as a PADI Course Director.
Achieving global recognition by receiving PADI World Wide Member of the Month.
Has had the opportunity to dive across four continents.

Julian has always been passionate about teaching and can conduct all diving levels fluently in English and French. Along with a passion for teaching new PADI Instructors, Julain loves Marine Conservation and is the training Instructor for the Koh Tao branch of the International Coral Rehabilitation organisation “We Are Alotment”.

Along with a high level of professionalism, you’ll find Julian brings fresh and fun energy into his teaching style.

Answer 3

Diving is one of those things where the more you put in the more you will get back. Giving yourself a competitive edge with initial investment will kickstart your career. Investing from the start in high quality equipment that won’t need to be replaced unexpectedly and completing the additional training that interests you will make recouping your initial outlay much easier.

Completing your specialty instructor ratings right away will give your career a huge starting boost. Being able to teach courses such as Nitrox, Deep and Wreck diving pushes your resume up the pile immediately.

Dive Instructors are in high demand but a stand out resume will let you take your choice of ideal employment opportunities. Compared to other careers your time to recoup your investment should be quite short a range of about 2-4 months is plenty of time for a motivated candidate.

Answer 4

While you are welcome to use Simple Life’s equipment for bulkier pieces of equipment that are difficult to travel with, working dive pros are expected to have a complete set of equipment themselves. A complete set of equipment includes: fins, mask, snorkel, BCD, regulator, dive computer, exposure protection, audible signalling device, compass, cutting tool, SMB and reel.

The suitability of one piece of equipment over another will vary based on location and the type of diving you expect to be doing, for a guide to suitable equipment for teaching in tropical environments such as Thailand you can check out Course Director Julian’s yearly dive gear guide.

Divemaster Gear Guide [PDF]

The major equipment companies are all present here on Koh Tao and we can help you arranging discounts on any equipment you would like to purchase here on the island.

Answer 5

In order to participate in the PADI Instructor Development Course you need to be at least 18 years old and already be a certified Divemaster. If you have done your training up until this point with other training agencies that is perfectly fine, get in touch with our Course Director Julian@simplelifedivers.com with a copy of your certifications and he can verify their equivalency.

In order to participate you also need to have been a certified diver for at least six months, check the date of your Open Water certification to ensure you meet this requirement.

Finally you will need to have first aid training valid from within 24 months of your IDC dates. First aid training from agencies other than the PADI administered Emergency First Response course can often be valid to meet this requirement, get in touch to confirm. Did you know that as part of your Instructor Development Course you also become an Emergency First Response Instructor?

Answer 6

The PADI IDC is an intensive two week program, that takes your already established diving techniques and hones you into a safe and effective instructor. Throughout the two weeks you will come to understand in fine detail the requirements of teaching the core PADI curriculum and build habits through realistic scenarios.

Answer 7

Upon completion of the IDC you will become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. This is the #1 most employable job title in all of diving.

PADI is present in over 186 countries and territories, anywhere diving happens there will be opportunity for you.

When looking to find your dream job, PADI is unrivalled in their support of members, from the Regional Managers to the Employment Board the whole team is there to bring instructors and opportunities together.

Finally, as in any industry word of mouth is often the quickest way of finding potential jobs.

Our Course Director Julian has worked around the world and has contacts regularly reaching out asking directly for his candidates for their noted level of quality.

Answer 8

The cost of living on Koh Tao depends a lot on the level of comfort you are looking for and how much you intend to be enjoying the famed Koh Tao nightlife.

On a conservative budget, a monthly spend for food and accommodation will be around 25000 baht/month.

Factoring in potentially renting a scooter, enjoying other activities Koh Tao has to offer a comfortable budget would be around 35,000/month.

Other potential costs include visa extensions which can be done on Koh Tao for 1900 baht and enrolling in gym, yoga, climbing, kite surfing, SUP, trapeze, or any of the other classes available on Koh Tao.

Enjoying Koh Tao to it’s fullest it would be difficult to spend more than 50,000 baht in a month.

Answer 9

Diving is such a versatile industry that almost any skill set you have can give you an edge when applying for jobs. Whether you have a background in hospitality, marketing, sales etc. let your future coworkers know how you can improve their brand.

Languages are a particularly useful tool when searching for employment, make sure these skills stand out when looking for employment.

Pursuing continuing education and professional development opportunities will also set yourself apart, being able to teach a wider range of courses by completing ratings such as Master Scuba Diver Trainer let employers know right away that you stand out and can teach a wider range of courses.

Diving is first and foremost a customer service job, your personality is the most important asset you have. Let it shine, show off what makes you unique through social media, don’t be afraid to have a less formal resume, and when possible have a face-to-face chat with potential employers.