Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Scuba World Instructor Development Center has two full time PADI Course Directors at our store in Dover, Delaware. We also have several IDC Staff Instructors on staff at your disposal. With small class sizes and a proportionally large staff, we are able to give you the best experience possible for your Instructor Development Course. You will have a variety of experienced instructors who are able to give you more personalized one-on-one time. We are sure that we can help you to have a fun, safe, educational, and successful Instructor Development Course. We are proud to say that we have a 100% pass rate at the Instructor Exam since 1991. For more information about our professional level courses, please call (302) 697-2882 or email jmarelli@scubaworldinc.com.

If you like people, have a passion for scuba diving and want an extraordinary life – become a PADI Instructor. Teaching scuba diving allows you to share your love of the aquatic world with others while doing what you enjoy – being in, around and under water. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors are the most sought-after dive professionals around the world because they’ve completed the program that sets the standard for training dive professionals. You earn a PADI Instructor rating through hard work and commitment, but you’re rewarded with a job that lets you share incredible underwater adventures with others – transforming their lives for the better and enriching yours.

Are you ready to join the ranks of the dedicated professionals who teach the world’s most progressive and popular scuba diver education programs? Then Go PRO with an Instructor Development Course.

The Instructor Development Course (IDC) is made up of two parts – the Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program. Most dive professionals complete the entire IDC and go on to attend an Instructor Examination (IE), which is the final step to earn a PADI Instructor certification.

Dive professionals who hold an instructor rating with another diver training organization may be eligible to enroll directly in the OWSI program. This recognizes prior instructor training and provides a path to become a PADI Instructor.

A PADI Divemaster who has been a certified diver for six months may enroll in the PADI Instructor Development Course. You also need:

  • At least 60 logged dives to enroll and 100 dives to attend an IE.
    Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.
    A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months

You also need to be an Emergency First Response Instructor, but you can earn this rating during your instructor training.

What will you learn?

Over eight or nine days, the IDC teaches you to conduct all PADI core courses. You’ll be able to organize and present information, conduct skill development sessions and control open water dives. Basically, you become a better public speaker and get really good at demonstrating skills while watching out for student diver safety. The following is a sample schedule for an Instructor Development Course:

DAY ONE

  • Course Orientation and paperwork
  • Exams (Dive Theory)
  • Lunch
  • Review Exam
  • Pool – skill circuit demonstration and positioning

DAY TWO

  • Learning Instruction and the PADI System (OV)
  • General Standards and Procedures (OV)
  • Teaching in Confined Water
  • Break-out Session
  • Lunch
  • Pool – CW presentation 1/CESA

DAY THREE

  • Start Diving (OV)
  • Keep Diving (OV)
  • Developing Knowledge Development Presentations
  • Break-out Session
  • Lunch
  • Knowledge Development Presentation 1
  • Open Water Diver Course
  • Business of Diving
  • 4 E’s Workshop/DSD Workshop

DAY FIVE

  • Rescue Course
  • Risk Management (OV)
  • Conducting Open Water Training Dives
  • Break Out Session
  • Lunch
  • Risk Management
  • Adventures in Diving Program
  • Divemaster Course

DAY SIX

  • Knowledge Development Presentation 2
  • Exams (GS&P 1)
  • Lunch
  • Pool – CW Presentation 4 / Skill Circuit

DAY SEVEN

  • Knowledge Development Presentation 3
  • Make-ups / Break-out session
  • Complete Paperwork

OPEN WATER

DAY EIGHT

  • 8:00 – 11:30 Open Water Presentations 1 & 2
  • 11:30 – 12:30 Lunch
  • 12:30 – 4:00 Rescue Scenario 7/clinics/800m swim MSF/Knots

DAY NINE

  • 8:00 – 11:30 Open Water Presentations 3 & 4
  • 11:30 – 12:30 Lunch
  • 12:30 – 4:00 CESA Review and Make-Ups

EFR Instructor Day

EXAM DAY 1

EXAM DAY 2

How can I start learning now?

Start today!

Register for the IDC Online – PADI’s eLearning option that lets you study independently at your own pace before class. There are nine interactive knowledge development sections. Prestudy online can save one whole day of class time, which allows more time for practicing the skills that distinguish you as a PADI Instructor.

Click here to start your IDC online!

Also, sign up for Dive Theory Online, if you haven’t already completed it or it’s been more than a year since you went through it. The program is a straightforward review of dive physics, physiology, skills, equipment and environment, plus using the Recreational Dive Planner (RDP). By successfully completing Dive Theory Online, you can get credit for the dive theory exam requirement during your IDC.

Click here to start your Dive Theory Course online!

Visit Scuba World to learn more about your Instructor Development Course. You can also call (302) 697-2882 or email jmarelli@scubaworldinc.com.

How much does it cost?

Course: $300

This fee covers academic material and instruction.

Required Equipment: $125

  • You will need to have a dive light, cylume stick, knife, and underwater slate.
  • You must provide a regulator/octo/gage, wetsuit, hood, and tank (this equipment can be rented from Scuba World at a cost of $75 for the weekend.
  • You must have your own personal equipment which includes: mask, snorkel, fins, boots, gloves, weight and weight belt. (The weight and weight belt can be rented from Scuba World for $20.)

What's an IE?

Start today!

An Instructor Examination (IE) is a two-day evaluative program that tests an instructor candidate’s teaching ability, dive theory knowledge, skill level, understanding of the PADI System, and attitude and professionalism. PADI IEs are standardized and conducted by specially trained PADI Instructor Examiners. The IE location, testing environment and examination sessions are organized to be as objective as possible to fairly and consistently evaluate a candidate’s abilities. Only those who meet the IE performance requirements earn the respected PADI Instructor certification. There is a fee (about $700) for attending an IE, which is not included in the price of the course.

How much does the IDC cost?

The Instructor Development Course costs $2,095, which includes all instructor fees and pool fees. Candidates must purchase the PADI Instructor Crew Pack. Any fees associated with open water (boat, quarry fees and lodging) are not included in the price of the course.

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