Who should take these PADI Pro course?
Why become a PADI Pro? If you love the ocean, like teaching people, have a passion for scuba diving, and want an extraordinary life combining your love, joy, and passion, then become a PADI professional.
Become a PADI Dive Master or 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 underwater. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors and PADI Assistant 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.
PADI Divemaster course
The PADI Divemaster course is your first level of professional training. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, you’ll fine-tune your dive skills, like perfecting the effortless hover, and refine your rescue skills so you anticipate and easily solve common problems. You’ll gain dive knowledge, management, and supervision abilities so you become a role model to divers everywhere.
- Age 18+
- Minimum of 40 logged dives, including experience with deep and night diving (must have 60 dives by the end of the course)
- PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue certification (or equivalent)
- PADI Emergency First Response (EFR) Primary and Secondary Care certification (valid through the end of your trip; these certifications last a maximum of two years).
- Or an equivalent internationally-recognized certification. An alternative course must have an in-person component (cannot be all online) and the certification must state that you completed both Primary Care (CPR) and Secondary Care (First Aid) training in the course. Many people choose to get certified through the American Red Cross as an alternative, but the certification must include hands-on, in-person training. If you have an alternative certification to the PADI EFR or plan to get one, please check with us before your trip so we can ensure it satisfies the prerequisites.
- Physician’s Clearance – Since this is a professional-level course, you need clearance from your doctor to dive within 12 months of the end of your course (a family member cannot provide this clearance). See link HERE for the medical form. This clearance is required, regardless of your answers to the medical questions.
- Completed PADI “Divemaster” eLearning – must be completed prior to arrival, including the exams
- Completed PADI waivers, which can be found attached to this email.
- You must print, complete, and bring this paperwork with you to the dive shop where you are starting your PADI Divemaster course.
- Store/resort/instructor name fields should be left blank if you do not know the answer to these questions; your chosen PADI dive shop will assist you in completing this information.
As a PADI Divemaster, you’ll lead others as you supervise scuba diving activities and assist with diver training. Whether you want to work at a faraway dive destination or close to home at a local dive shop, the adventure of a lifetime awaits you. PADI Divemasters are respected dive professionals who are aligned with the largest and most respected dive organization in the world – PADI.
- 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.
Note that qualifying certifications from other diver training organizations may apply – ask your PADI Instructor.
The course includes:
- The role and characteristics of the PADI Divemaster
- Supervising dive activities and assisting with student divers
- Diver safety and risk management
- Divemaster conducted programs and specialized skills
- The business of diving and your career
- Awareness of the dive environment
- Dive setup and management
- Mapping an open water site
- Conducting dive briefings
- Organizing a search and recovery project and a deep dive
- Conducting a scuba review and skin diver course
- Assisting with Discover Scuba Diving and leading Discover Local Diving programs
The swims include:
- 400 meter swim without swimming aids (snorkel & fins) this needs to be completed in less than 13 minutes
- 15-minute tread w/ hands out of the water above head for last 2 minutes
- 800-meter swim w/ fins, mask and snorkel- no use of arms to swim and no stopping with face down
- 100-meter swim/Inert diver tow in full scuba equipment this needs to be completed in less than 5 minutes and 30 seconds
PADI Instructor/Assistant Instructor course
Are you ready to join the ranks of the dedicated professionals who teach the world’s most progressive and popular scuba diver education programs?
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.
Successfully completing just the AI course results in a PADI Assistant Instructor qualification. When an AI is ready to progress, attending an OWSI program allows entry into an IE to earn a full PADI Instructor rating.
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 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 a minimum of five days, but usually, more like seven, 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.
Key topics include:
- PADI Standards and Procedures for courses you can teach within water workshops
- Learning,
- Instruction
- and the PADI System
- Risk Management and Diver Safety
- The Business of Diving and your role as an instructor
- Marketing Diving and Sales Counseling
- You may be able to get college credit or the Assistant Instructor course and Instructor Development Course.
How can you start learning now? Register for 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 saves classroom time, which allows more time for practicing the skills that distinguish you as a PADI Instructor.
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.
What’s an IE? 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 for attending an IE.
Next step to becoming a PADI Instructor at Kids Sea Camp:
- Register for IDC Online and start learning right away.
- Enroll in a PADI IDC, Assistant Instructor course or OWSI program at your PADI Five Star Instructor Development Center or Resort.
- Browse the PADI Course Catalog.
- Download a Medical Statement and Questionnaire (pdf).