IDC Staff Instructor course (IDCS)

Once you have completed your MSDT training and obtained your MSDT and Emergency First Response Instructor ratings, there is no specific time requirement to enroll in the PADI Staff Instructor (SI) Course.

Maintaining your MSDT and Emergency First Response Instructor ratings makes you eligible to become a PADI Staff Instructor.

For seasoned dive professionals, the PADI Staff Instructor course is a natural progression and an excellent choice.

Having industry experience is highly advantageous when it comes to training future dive professionals.

However, even if you already have experience, taking the Staff Course can still be valuable in terms of gaining more teaching experience and reconnecting with the fundamentals of instruction.

Regardless of your level of experience, every instructor can benefit from a thorough standards review and a deeper understanding of the PADI system.

There are two pathways to become a PADI Staff Instructor. The first option is to audit a complete IDC.

This involves participating in all the required sections of the IDC curriculum, which can typically be completed within 8 days according to PADI standards.

At our facility, we offer a comprehensive 2-week program, and we highly encourage you to join us for the entire duration if possible.

As part of the Staff Instructor training, you will attend Knowledge Development Sessions dedicated to the Staff Instructor Course. This session typically takes a day and is usually conducted before the start of the IDC.

Alternatively, you can choose to complete your PADI Staff Instructor training by presenting all the components of the Assistant Instructor (AI) Course.

The AI course can be completed in 3-5 days, depending on whether the candidates have already completed the E-learning portion or not.

While both options are available, we strongly recommend auditing the entire IDC as it offers the most comprehensive and beneficial approach to your education, understanding, and training.

In order to successfully complete the Staff Course, there are several performance requirements that you must meet:

Achieve a score of at least 80 percent on each of the Dive Theory Exams.
Attain a score of at least 80 percent on the PADI Systems, Standards, and Procedures Exam.
Demonstrate all 24 dive skills in the Skill Evaluation, scoring a total of 96 points with no individual score below 3.
To prepare for the course, we suggest starting by reviewing your dive theory knowledge. This will not only help you meet the course objectives but also give you confidence in assisting candidates with their theory exams.

Additionally, we can provide you with practice exams for both Dive Theory and PADI Systems, Standards, and Procedures. These practice exams will ensure that you arrive feeling prepared and self-assured in your Knowledge Development.

If you have the opportunity to arrive before the course starts, we highly recommend joining us for our Divemaster Skill Circuit Workshops. This will give you the chance to refresh your skill demonstrations and engage with professionals, allowing you to both practice and evaluate their abilities.

The PADI Staff Instructor course is designed to equip you with the skills necessary to teach the PADI Assistant Instructor Course and assist a PADI Course Director in conducting Instructor Development training (IDCs).

Throughout the course, we will thoroughly examine the standards outlined in the PADI Course Director Manual for both the Assistant Instructor (AI) and Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) courses.

We will also dedicate time to reviewing and assessing the organization and implementation of these courses, as well as delving into the psychology of evaluation and counseling.

An exciting aspect of the course is the opportunity to actively participate in an entire IDC. This immersive experience offers a fresh perspective and serves as a valuable refresher on standards and teaching methodologies.

During the IDC, our focus will be on refining your evaluation skills, teaching you how to effectively assess and provide constructive feedback on teaching presentations delivered by candidates in the IDC program.

During each Instructor Development Course (IDC), we take the time to understand our candidates’ motivations for becoming an instructor. By listening to their responses, we gain insight into their training expectations and aspirations, enabling us to tailor our support accordingly.

We extend the same approach to you and aim to determine your specific objectives for the Staff Instructor Training. This valuable information will guide us in recommending the most suitable opportunities for you once you have completed the course.

As a PADI Staff Instructor, you will have a range of responsibilities, including:

Independently conducting PADI Assistant Instructor courses
Assisting a PADI Course Director in conducting IDC training segments
Evaluating and providing constructive feedback on teaching presentations delivered by instructor candidates, and offering remedial training when necessary
Assisting in instructor-level continuing education programs
Additionally, we encourage you to explore our Master Instructor Internship as a potential next step after completing your Staff Instructor Training. This internship offers an opportunity to further enhance your skills and knowledge as a PADI Staff Instructor, allowing you to become a well-rounded and highly proficient PADI professional.