Dive Instructor Course Koh Tao

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PADI Instructor Development Course Koh Tao, Thailand

Do you dream of working in an environment that promises adventure and packed with excitement?

Would you like to work in the most inspiring office on the planet?

Would you like a job that makes you feel alive, fulfilled and provides a sense of pride and accomplishment?

The PADI Instructor Development Course is the dive industry’s most recognized and popular dive instructor course in the world.

Learn to teach Scuba Diving as a PADI Instructor

Our award-winning course sets the standard for training dive instructors and is the perfect way for you to achieve your dreams of working within the diving industry.

During our IDC we teach you how to use the PADI system effectively and how to adapt it to individual student divers needs.

You learn how to prepare and deliver teaching presentations in the classroom, confined (or pool) and Open Water conditions.

Improve Dive Skills & Knowledge

You will substantially increase your knowledge and understanding of dive theory to a level at which you are comfortable teaching dive theory to entry level students and professional level candidates.

You will improve on and take your dive skills to a whole new level, gaining the ability to perform role model skill demonstrations from the entire PADI curriculum.

You will also gain the knowledge and experience to anticipate and solve student diver problems before they even happen.

Perhaps most importantly, you will become a well-respected role model to others.

Ocean Explorers and Marine Protectors

Do you want to turn the ocean into your office, transform the lives of others and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment?

You can make the ocean your playground, impart your passion and share your incredible underwater adventures with others by becoming a PADI Dive Instructor on Koh Tao.

You will become part of a vibrant family of Ocean Explorers and Marine Protectors and embark on an incredibly rewarding career.

If a lifestyle or career change is what you want, take the next step as a professional diver and become a Scuba Instructor on Koh Tao.

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Included in the Koh Tao PADI Dive Instructor Course

  • 14-day program that includes AI, OWSI & EFRI courses
  • All dives during the course
  • Black Turtle Dive Fluid mechanics buoyancy clinic designed to turn you into a buoyancy expert
  • Black Turtle Dive Reef Ecology for beginners’ program
  • Pass Guarantee
  • Rental of all scuba equipment
  • FREE use of Dive Computer
  • Log book
  • Black Turtle Dive Customer (and environmental) promise

To enroll on a PADI Instructor course you must:

  • Be a PADI Divemaster or equivalent
  • Hold a recognized First Aid and CPR certificate valid within the last 24 months
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Be a certified diver for at least 6 months
  • Have a minimum of 60 logged dives; documented experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation
  • If not a PADI Divemaster, successfully complete the PADI Divemaster course dive rescue assessment
  • Have recent diving experience – we recommend completing a scuba review if you have not dived for 12 months
  • Be medically fit to dive and cleared for diving by a physician within the last 12 months

We conduct the PADI Dive Instructor course over 14 days, followed by a PADI evaluated 2-day PADI Instructor Examination (IE).

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Koh Tao PADI Instructor Development Course Information

The Instructor Development Course (IDC) consists of two courses; the PADI Assistant Instructor course (AI) and the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Course (OWSI).

We also include the Emergency First Responder Instructor (EFRI) course into our IDC program.

The Instructor Development Course is broken down into a number of different sections:

Classroom & Land Section

  • Knowledge Development; both a self-study e-learning curriculum and Course Director led presentations
  • Dive Theory
  • The PADI system General Standards & Procedures
  • Sales techniques workshop
  • Social Media & Online Marketing workshop
  • Reef Ecology for beginners’ program workshop
  • Knowledge Development Presentation Workshops & Candidate Knowledge Development teaching presentations

Confined Water (or Pool) Section

  • Skill development workshops; the basic 25 skills & Rescue diver skill circuit to a demonstration quality standard
  • Discover Scuba Diving confined water workshop
  • Confined Water Training Workshop and Candidate Confined Water Teaching Presentations
  • Our Fluid mechanics buoyancy clinic & neutral buoyancy skill circuit

Open Water Section

  • Descent & Ascent workshops
  • Roll model quality Divemaster course Rescue assessment
  • Discover Scuba Diving conduct and control workshop
  • Advanced Open Water workshop
  • Rescue Exercise 7 workshop
  • Open Water Training Workshop and Candidate Open Water Teaching Presentations Neutrally Buoyant
  • Stamina tests; 400 metres freestyle & 10-minute float

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PADI IDC – Knowledge Development

The knowledge development section of the IDC is divided between independent study (E-learning) and a series of in-class knowledge development presentations and workshops, led by one of our Platinum PADI Course Directors.

The e-learning section covers the following subjects:

  • Getting Started
  • Dive Theory for Dive Leaders
  • PADI System Overview
  • Learning, Instruction and the PADI System
  • Discover Scuba Diving and Experience Programs
  • The PADI Open Water Diver Course
  • Risk Management and Legal Considerations
  • Managing Risk
  • PADI Quality Management and Licensing
  • Introduction to Teaching Presentations
  • Conducting and Evaluating Knowledge Development
  • Confined Water Training
  • Open Water Training
  • Continuing Education and Leadership Courses
  • The Business of Diving

We recommend that you complete all independent eLearning before you begin the Instructor Development Course.

However, if you are signing up late for the IDC or have been unable to complete this section beforehand, we will give you an additional homework schedule.

This ensures you complete the prerequisite study for subsequent presentations and workshops that we will be doing throughout the course.

Expert Presentations

Presentations and Workshop components of our IDC course, will be presented to you by one of our Platinum PADI Course Directors.

Our knowledge development presentations and classroom workshops are as follows:

  • Orientation
  • Dive Theory Workshop
  • PADI System Workshop
  • Learning and Teaching Workshop
  • Open Water Dive Course Scheduling and Set Up Workshop
  • Risk Management and Licensing Workshop
  • Knowledge Development Presentation Workshop and Candidate Knowledge Development Presentations
  • Confined Water Training Workshop Part 1
  • Open Water Training Workshop Part 1
  • Continuing Education Workshop
  • Sales Techniques Workshop
  • Online P.I.C. Processing Workshop
  • Course Close

PADI IDC Water Skills Development

  • Water skills exercises; 400metre swim & 10-minute float
  • Role model Rescue assessments
  • Dive skill circuit (24 skill circuit)
  • Rescue skill circuit (Skills from Rescue course)

In-water workshops

  • Descents & Ascents workshop
  • Discover Scuba Diving Workshop
  • Advanced Open Water Diver Course Workshop
  • Rescue Diver Course Workshop

In-water teaching presentations

  • Confined Water Training Workshop and Candidate Confined Water Teaching Presentations
  • Open Water Training Workshop and Candidate Open Water Teaching Presentations

To successfully complete the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) you must:

  • Complete all E-learning modules
  • Attend every Course Director led knowledge development presentation
  • Participate in every Course Director led workshop
  • Present at least three knowledge development teaching presentations, scoring a minimum of 3.4 on at least two of them
  • Present at least four confined water teaching presentations, scoring a minimum of 3.4 on at least two of them
  • Present at least two integrated (two skills) Open Water teaching presentations scoring a minimum of 3.4 on each skill for each presentation
  • Score a minimum of 82 total points on the 24 basic skills circuit
  • Pass the PADI Systems, Standards and Procedures Exam scoring a minimum of 75%
  • Pass all sections of the Dive Theory Exam scoring a minimum of 75% on each section
  • Perform a 400-metre continuous freestyle swim
  • Perform a 800-metre continuous snorkel swim
  • Perform a 10-minute water float
  • In confined or Open Water, demonstrate with role-model quality the Rescue of a simulated panicked diver at the surface
  • In Open Water, demonstrate with role-model quality the Rescue of a simulated unresponsive, non-breathing diver at the surface
  • In Open Water, participate in a full simulated unresponsive non-breathing diver scenario including egressing the victim and administrating O2

You must also:

  • Have 100 logged dives including diving experience in deep diving, night diving and underwater navigation
  • Have completed a recognized Primary & Secondary Care First Aid & CPR course within the past 24 months

To successfully enroll on the PADI Instructor Examination (PADI IE) you must:

  • Successfully complete an IDC or OWSI program within 12 months of the PADI IE start date
  • Have 100 logged dives
  • Medical clearance attesting to dive fitness signed by a physician within the previous 12 months and have had no medical condition changes

Exit Requirements – before certification

  • Emergency First Response Instructor (or qualifying certification)

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PADI Instructor Development Course Cost: 41,900 baht **

** Additional Costs

2024 Instructor Application Fee: $AUS 331

Instructor Examination fee: $AUS 1,120

EFR Instructor Application – $AUS 228

Total: $AUS 1,679

PADI IDC Crew Pack – 25,000 baht (Includes EFR)

EFR Instructor Digital Guides – 4,000 baht (Price on its own)

PADI Instructor Materials

All IDC candidates must have a set of required materials for use during the course and to retain afterwards.

You can purchase the PADI IDC Crew Pack from us directly. The pack itself is broken into two components; digital and physical.

The PADI Digital IDC Crew Pack includes:

  • IDC e-learning
  • PADI Guide to Teaching
  • Diving Knowledge Workbook
  • PADI Quizzes & Exam Booklets (Open Water, Rescue Diver, Divemaster)
  • Project AWARE Specialty Instructor Outline
  • Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Instructor Outline
  • PADI Open Water Course Prescriptive Lesson Guides

The PADI Digital IDC Crew Pack are all online components that can be completed prior to arriving on Koh Tao.

The physical PADI IDC Crew Pack includes:

  • PADI Backpack
  • Dive Lesson Planning Slates [Confined and Open Water)
  • PADI Dive Planning & Skill Practice Slate
  • Open Water, Advanced, Rescue Diver, Divemaster Course Instructor Cue Cards

We will provide you with the PADI IDC physical crew pack once you arrive on Koh Tao.

You will also need the following items from your Divemaster pack

  • PADI Instructor Manual
  • E-RDP ML and Instructions for use booklet
  • Encyclopedia of recreational diving

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At Black Turtle Dive we take our customer promise very seriously and we want to ensure our passion for providing the highest quality diver training and customer service, is passed onto you.

By instilling our customer promise into each one of our professional candidates, we believe it provides them with the best chance of success within the diving industry.

Our PADI Dive Instructor Development team is possibly the most experienced within the dive industry.

Dive Industry Leaders

Between us we have conducted 100’s of IDC’s, certifying 1000’s of PADI Instructors over the past 18 years across Asia.

We know what it takes to produce a successful Dive Instructor and we know what potential employers look for in a modern dive professional with the right attitude.

Change of Career & Lifestyle – PADI Dive Instructor on Koh Tao

With our PADI Dive Instructor program, it is our intention to train you to become a multi skilled PADI Instructor, who in the future, we would have no hesitation employing ourselves.

We will build up your skills, knowledge, confidence and ability to work as a dive leader and dive educator.

You will progress at your own pace and receive additional attention in areas you are weak in, as you develop the skills necessary to become a competent PADI Instructor.

Diving Knowledge & Skills

Our Instructor Development Course includes lots of additional workshops and training sessions that go above and beyond what PADI actually requires.

Our distinctive buoyancy clinics will ensure your skills are of the absolute highest standard and we will turn you into a buoyancy expert who divers look up to.

Buoyancy Expert Workshops

We also offer our own social media and online marketing workshops to give you the tools necessary to effectively market yourself or your business within the diving industry.

This will also give your CV something every Dive Centre manager looks for, when choosing new members of their team.

Our unique Reef Ecology and Marine conservation workshop gives you the knowledge to better understand how our Coral reefs function and the threats they are facing everyday.

Reef Ecology & Marine Conservation

This means you can better educate your divers and encourage them to become Marine Protectors as well.

Both you and your divers are future role models and advocates for others to become involved in conservation efforts worldwide.

Koh Tao PADI Dive Instructor Course Schedule

There is lots of time during our 14-day IDC to fit in additional classroom or water sessions for you if needed.

The Homework assignments only apply to candidates who are late sign-ups and have not had the opportunity to complete the e-learning prior to Day 1.

Day 1 – IDC Preparation

Dive Theory Review Part 1

1:1 Orientation
1:2 Theory Review

Lunch

1:3 Skill Circuit (24 basic skills)

1:4 Homework:

  • E-Learning: Dive Theory for Dive Leaders
  • E-Learning: PADI System Overview
  • E-Learning: Learning, Instruction and the PADI System

Day 2 – IDC Preparation

2:1 Dive Theory Review Part 2

Lunch

2:2 Rescue + CESA Workshop & Swim Tests

2:3 Homework:

  • E-Learning: PADI Open Water Diver Course
  • E-Learning: Conducting and Evaluating Knowledge Development
  • E-Learning: Introduction to Teaching Presentations
  • Pre-assessment Theory Exam 1

Day 3

3:1 Learning & Teaching Workshop
3:2 Open Water Course Workshop

Lunch

3:3 PADI System Workshop- Part 1 & 2
3:4 Knowledge Development Workshop

3:5 Homework:

  • E-Learning: Confined Water Training
  • E-Learning: Discover Scuba Diving and Experience Programs
  • Prepare Prescriptive Presentation #1
  • Pre-assessment Theory Exam 2

Day 4

4:1 Prescriptive Presentation 1
4:2 Teaching in Confined Workshop + Dry Practice
4:3 Discover Scuba Diving Workshop Part 1 (Knowledge Development)

Lunch

4:4 Confined Water Presentations 1 & 2
4:5 Discover Scuba Diving Workshop Part 2 (Confined)

4:6 Homework:

  • E-Learning: Open Water Training
  • E-Learning: Continuing Education and Leadership Courses
  • Prepare Prescriptive Presentation #2
  • Pre-assessment GS&P Exam 1

Day 5

5:1 Open Water Teaching Workshop + Dry Practice
5:2 Review Open Water Workshops

Lunch

5:3 Decent and CESA workshops
5:4 Open Water Presentations 1 & 2
5:5 Discover Scuba Diving Workshop Part 3 (Open Water dive)

5:6 Homework:

  • E-Learning: Risk Management and Legal Considerations
  • E-Learning: Managing Risk
  • E-Learning: PADI Quality Management and Licensing
  • E-Learning: Business of Diving
  • Theory Exam

Day 6

6:1 Prescriptive Presentation 2
6:2 Risk Management + Licensing Workshop

Lunch

6:3 Continuing Education Workshop
6:4 Sales Techniques Workshop
6:5 Advanced Open Water Workshop Part 1

6:6 Homework:

  • Prepare Open Water Skills 3 & 4
  • Prepare Prescriptive Presentation #3
  • Standards Exam

Day 7 BOAT- 07:30 START

7:1 Open Water Presentation 3 & 4
7:2 Advanced Open Water Workshop Part 2

Lunch

7:3 Prescriptive Presentation 3
7:4 Emergency First Responder (EFR) Instructor Course Part 1

7:5 Homework:

  • EFRI Knowledge Review EFR

Day 8

8:1 Emergency First Responder (EFR) Instructor Course Part 2
8:2 PADI Dive Against Debris Instructor course 

8:3 Homework:

  • Prepare Confined Skills 3 & 4
  • Theory Exam

Day 9 —–DAY OFF—–

Day 10

10:1 PADI System Workshop – Part 3 & 4
10:2 P.I.C Processing Workshop & Discover Scuba Diving Workshop

Lunch

10:3 Confined Water Presentation 3 & 4

10:4 Homework:

  • Theory Exam
  • Prepare Prescriptive Presentation # 4

Day 11

11:1 Prescriptive Teaching Presentation 4
11:2 Rescue Diver Workshop part 1

Lunch

11:3 Remedial Theory / Extra Practice skills

11:5 Homework:

  • Prepare Open Water Skills 5 & 6
  • GS&P Exam

Day 12 BOAT – 07:30 START

12:1 Open Water Presentations 5 & 6
12:2 Rescue Diver Workshop part 2

Lunch

12:3 Course Close
12:4 Final Counselling & IE Recommendations

12:5 Homework:

  • Prepare Prescriptive Presentation #5
  • Prepare Confined Skill 5
  • STUDY

Day 13 (8:00am start)

13:1 Mock IE – Dive Theory & General Standards & Procedures Exams
13:2 Mock IE – Prescriptive Teaching Presentation (#5)
13:3 Mock IE – Confined Water Presentation (#5)

13:4 Homework:

  • Prepare Open Water Skills 7 & 8

Day 14 – BOAT 7:30 Start

14:1 Mock IE – Open Water Presentations (7 & 8)

Lunch

14:2 Final Counselling & PADI IE Recommendations

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PADI Instructor Development Course Detailed Information

Orientation & Knowledge Development – Instructor Course

You will need 60 logged dives to start. As soon as you sign up, we will send you your Instructor Development Course Digital Crew pack.

Once you have redeemed your access code you can start the IDC e-learning sections, which we recommend you have completed prior to Day 1 of the start of the IDC.

PADI IDC Course Orientation

You will start the IDC with your course Orientation and we issue the physical IDC Crew Pack and review your digital paperwork, including:

  • PADI Release of Liability
  • Assumption of Risk
  • Non-agency Acknowledgment Form
  • PADI Standard Safe Diving Practices Statement of Understanding
  • PADI Medical Statement (RSTC Medical form)

As you can see from the schedule above the Instructor Development Course knowledge development comprises of 12 modules.

Each module has a corresponding e-learning section within the IDC eLearning that needs to be completed before the Course Director led presentation.

The Course Director led knowledge development sessions are integrated into the schedule, together with your candidate knowledge development presentations and the in-water skill development and training components.

Additional dive theory reviews are scheduled outside of the regular schedule, if required by individual candidates.

PADI IDC – Knowledge Development Presentations

The Mock IE is scheduled for days 13 & 14 and represent the closing modules of the knowledge development portions of our IDC program.

During the Mock IE you will present a final knowledge development presentation, which will be the last one with your Course Director, before PADI staff evaluate you on the PADI IE.

General Standards & Procedures

You will also be given two exams; General Standards and Procedures and Dive Theory. These are the same exams you must pass to become an Instructor during the PADI IE.

By this time, you will be a confident candidate in each section of the IDC program.

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Water Skill Development workshops – Instructor course

Dive skills circuit (24 skill circuit)

This is the same skill circuit you mastered during your PADI Divemaster course.

This may be something you are very familiar with having just become a Divemaster or it may be something you last did several years ago and want to fine-tune your skills.

We tailor additional skill practice sessions to the individual needs and timeframe of each instructor candidate.

Diver Skill Circuit

By the end of your IDC, you will comfortably be able to demonstrate the basic 24 skills and score the minimum 82 points required by PADI to successfully complete this section.

We always work with our Instructor candidates, so they can become an exceptionally confident, knowledgeable and skilful dive educator and an underwater role model.

Your practical skill level is an extremely important part of this and why we encourage you to embrace our philosophy when it comes to our training methodology and neutral buoyancy.

Neutral Buoyancy

We conduct as much of our IDC neutrally buoyant as possible and we work extensively with you to achieve this.

This includes all the skills that can be demonstrated in the diving position. If you did not complete our Divemaster program you will find this improves your skill level significantly and it also adds realism into the training.

When do you ever kneel on the sand during a dive?

CESA Workshop (in confined water)

The Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA) is conducted in Open Water.

However, as part of the PADI Open Water diver course the student will be asked to simulate the CESA in confined water horizontally.

This is a tricky skill to master as a student and will require a strong briefing and underwater demonstration from you as the Dive Instructor.

We provide a workshop for this skill with you and give you tips on how to properly evaluate and problem solve.

Stamina tests

You need to pass two swim tests as part of the IDC course and by the end of your training, you will be able to swim 400 metres freestyle.

You must also be able to float or survival swim for 10 minutes without using swim or flotation aids.

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PADI Rescue Diver Course Workshops & Assessments

There are a number of Rescue Diver workshops and assessments you need to complete during our Instructor Development Course.

These are designed to ensure you have the necessary skills to teach the PADI Rescue Diver course and the Rescue modules of the PADI Divemaster course.

Rescue Diver Course Skill Circuit

Before we begin the Rescue Diver Course workshops and assessments, we include a demonstration quality Rescue diver course skill circuit.

This is to ensure you are able to meet the requirements of the Rescue workshop and perform role model demonstrations of each of the Rescue skills to your students.

The Rescue skills we focus on include:

  1. Self-Rescue review skills
  2. Tired Diver towing
  3. Panicked Diver on surface
  4. Distressed Diver Underwater
  5. Surfacing the Unresponsive Diver
  6. Unresponsive Diver at the Surface

Rescue – Panicked Diver Workshop

We complete this workshop in either confined water or Open Water and by the end, you will be able to demonstrate the Rescue of a simulated panicked diver at the surface using several different techniques.

Rescue – Unresponsive Non-breathing Diver on Surface Workshop

We conduct this workshop during every Open Water training session throughout our IDC due to the greater complexity of this skill compared to most others, so you will have lots of practice.

By the end of our IDC, you will be a master at demonstrating the Rescue of a simulated unresponsive, non-breathing diver at the surface.

You will be evaluated on this by PADI staff during the PADI Examinations (PADI IE).

Rescue Diver Assessment

This is the full Rescue Diver course final scenario that is conducted in Open Water and you will have completed this during your PADI Rescue diver course.

Your assessment will involve surfacing a simulated unresponsive non-breathing diver from underwater to the surface.

The skill includes surfacing the unresponsive diver, administrating rescue breaths whilst towing, egressing onto the boat and administering O2 to the victim.

We schedule this towards the end of the Open Water training modules of our IDC program.

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PADI IDC – Open Water Workshops

Descent Workshop

During the first Open Water session, we immediately conduct a descent workshop, which will happen before your first Open Water teaching presentation.

We will demonstrate how to conduct the three Open Water descents that are taught during the PADI Open Water diver course; a controlled descent, a visual descent and a free descent.

We focus on positioning, control techniques and solving commonly encountered problems student divers have during Open Water descents.

We also discuss different techniques depending on different environmental conditions such as poor visibility or a strong current.

CESA Workshop (in Open Water)

One of the more complex skills you will conduct as a PADI Instructor is the Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (C.E.S.A) and we provide an entire workshop on this skill in Open Water.

In the classroom we discuss the standards and procedures required when conducting the CESA and you will practice briefings, look at commonly accounted problems and how to handle them.

We also review control techniques that you will use in order to conduct the skill and will discuss the risk management involved.

Open Water Training Skills

This workshop will also take place during the first Open Water training session, usually immediately after the descent workshops.

We will demonstrate how to conduct and control the skill in an Open Water environment.

You will then have an opportunity to practice until we are confident you are able to conduct a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent with real students in Open Water.

Knots & Lift Bag Workshop

This is a refresher from when you completed the Search & Recovery scenario during the PADI Divemaster course.

Although these are skills you should already know, we expect you to complete these skills to a high standard of demonstration quality.

Search & Recovery & Knot Tying

We provide you with a quick refresher, then ask you to demonstrate the three knots you mastered during your Divemaster course; Bowline, Sheet Bend & Two half hitch.

We will also ask you to show us how to rig an object underwater and bring it to the surface safely using a lift bag.

We will of course give you valuable tips on how to teach each of of these skills.

PADI IDC – Discover Scuba Workshop

The Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) workshop is broken up into four different components.

The first is conducted in the classroom where we review the program standards, discuss how to conduct the Discover Scuba Diving program and review the control techniques that minimize risk.

The second part will focus on the confined water portion of the Discover Scuba Diving experience program.

We will ask you to put together a confined water teaching presentation based on one of the skills from the Discover Scuba Diving program.

Discover Scuba Diving Experience Program

While you conduct the presentation, we will role play students and you will be required to identify and solve commonly encountered problems.

The third portion of the Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) workshop will be taught during one of our Open Water training sessions.

This session introduces you to various control techniques that PADI Instructors use while introducing Discover Scuba Dive participants into an Open Water environment.

We conduct the final portion of the Discover Scuba Diving Workshop back in the classroom and we will show you how to register the Discover Scuba Diving participants online.

PADI IDC – Advanced Open Water Workshop

During this workshop we will teach you how to conduct and organize the sequence of a PADI Adventure Dive.

You will brief and debrief an assigned Adventure Dive skill.

During the dive you will be required to identify problems and demonstrate techniques that may be used to complete dive performance requirements for the assigned skill.

Separately we will also review proper techniques and supervision for conducting the Deep Adventure Dive assessment. This is something you will also practice in Open Water.

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PADI IDC – Confined Water Teaching Presentations

Beginning in the classroom, we will teach you how to select an appropriate dive site to conduct confined water training and discuss how to organize and manage the dive course training.

We will practice briefings and debriefings, look at commonly encountered problems and review the evaluation criteria that the PADI examiners will be using.

We will also discuss how to conduct confined water training with or without the help of a certified assistant.

Teaching Presentations in Confined Water

You will finish the classroom workshops off by preparing your own Confined Water Teaching Presentations.

We will teach you how to present a single confined water skill, including basic organization, conduct and use of signals.

You will have an opportunity, through dry practice, to rehearse this process before we progress to the water.

Time to get Wet

During the first confined water teaching training session you will begin by presenting your skill that we prepared together in the classroom.

After you have finished, we will critique your presentation and give you feedback on how to improve.

During the IDC you will participate in five confined water presentations, plus a sixth presentation during the mock IE, which allows you lots of time to improve your skills and improve your performance.

Evaluation & Performance

During each presentation we evaluate your performance and develop your understanding, knowledge and teaching abilities, which will help to prepare you to teach your first students.

To complete the full IDC, you must prepare and deliver four confined water teaching presentations and earn a score of 3.4 on at least two of those presentations.

PADI IDC – Open Water Teaching Presentation

During the classroom presentation we will discuss the importance of creative thinking and good judgment when selecting Open Water dive sites, which should be specific to the type of training dives you plan on conducting.

We will focus on the different control techniques used in an Open Water training session and how environmental factors, student training level and ability, can affect this.

We will also look at the different supervision techniques when teaching with and without a certified assistant.

Anticipate & Resolve Problems

There will be lots of opportunity for you to practice Open Water training dive briefings and debriefings.

You will also review commonly encountered problems and examine the evaluation criteria to ensure you are familiar with how you will be evaluated.

We will help you prepare your first Open Water Teaching Presentation, featuring two skills integrated within one presentation and you will have adequate time to practice before we start.

Let’s go Diving

During our first IDC Open Water training session we use the first dive to conduct the descent and ascent workshops.

Once you have mastered these two very important workshops, we move on to your first Open Water teaching presentation.

These are the presentations we will have prepared together during our classroom workshop.

Once you are done, we will give you feedback and suggestions on how you can fine-tune your performance.

Fine Tune Performance

With each Open Water training session, you will improve your presentations until you become confident, organized and skilful.

We include three Open Water teaching presentations within the IDC plus a fourth during the mock IE, which is above and beyond PADI’s minimum standards for completing this component of the course.

This allows you lots of time to develop your overall teaching abilities and performances in Open Water.

Teaching Open Water Student Divers

We believe this offers you the best possible preparation for teaching your first students in Open Water.

To complete our IDC, you must present at least two integrated (two skills) Open Water teaching presentations and earn a score of 3.4 on each skill for one of those presentations.

If you are considering a lifestyle or career change and have no diving experience, we offer flexible Scuba Diving Internships that include all the PADI fees and course costs.

All Inclusive Scuba Diving Internships

Our Scuba Diving Internship packages include both the PADI Divemaster & Dive Instructor internships and they are hugely popular with candidates who are passionate about their diving and who want to learn more about conservation.

Please get in touch to discuss what you are interested in and we can provide you with a structured and comprehensive package.

We have been training pro level candidates for 20 years and offer you a multi award-winning PADI Course Director led team with a combined industry experience of over 50 years.

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PADI Dive Instructor Course Cost: 41,900 baht **

** Additional Costs

2024 Instructor Application Fee: $AUS 331

PADI Instructor Examination fee: $AUS 1,120

EFR Instructor Application – $AUS 228

Total: $AUS 1,679

PADI Instructor Materials – 25,000 baht
(IDC eLearning & physical crew packs & EFR))

EFR Instructor Digital Guides – 4,000 baht (Price on its own)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of the PADI Dive Instructor Course Koh Tao?

The Instructor Development course (IDC) base price is THB 41,900.

On top of this you need to purchase the educational materials and pay for the certification and membership fees (paid directly to PADI).

The educational materials consist of the digital Instructor crewpack and aquatic cue cards.

We can give you access to the digital pack before arrival on Koh Tao and the price for the IDC crewpack is THB 25,000. (includes EFR).

You will need to purchase the EFR Instructor materials, which is another THB 4,000. (Price on its own).

The fees that are paid directly to PADI include (2024 prices):

PADI Instructor Exam – $AUS 1,120

PADI Instructor Application – $AUS 331

EFR Instructor Application – $AUS 228

This is a total of $AUS 1,679 that will need to be paid direct to PADI. Alternatively,  should consider one of our all inclusive PADI Dive Instructor Internships, which include all fees.

How long does it take to do the PADI IDC on Koh Tao?

Most IDC centres on Koh Tao run a 14-day Instructor Development Course. After this you need to complete the independent and PADI examiner led 2-day PADI Instructor Examination (IE).

By PADI standards, the IDC itself can be completed in 8 days. This includes the Assistant Instructor (AI) and Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI), components of the IDC course.

We schedule an IDC every month and the start dates are fixed and chosen in a way that they align with the 2-day PADI Instructor Examinations, which are held on Koh Tao every month.

How many dives do I need to become a PADI Dive Instructor Koh Tao?

You need a minimum of 100 logged dives to be certified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

You can join the IDC as a certified Divemaster with 60 logged dives and to attend the PADI Instructor Examination you need a minimum of 100 logged dives.

Why should I do my PADI IDC course on Koh Tao?

Many of the most experienced PADI Course Directors in the world live on Koh Tao.

Additionally, some of the most established and recognized PADI Dive centres in the world are based on Koh Tao.

This means training standards are extremely high on Koh Tao and the island has produced some of the diving industries most celebrated and awarded leaders.

Koh Tao is a great diving destination with diving all year round and offers over 25+  tropical dive sites that are perfect for diver training and fun diving.

How much does a PADI Dive Instructor get paid on Koh Tao?

Over a 12-month period a scuba diving instructor will earn an average of THB 60,000 a month on Koh Tao.

Often a dive instructors pay is commission based and depends on the amount of students he/she teaches and ultimately, how busy Koh Tao is.

There are many other jobs around the dive centre an instructor can get involved with to earn an extra income. Examples are retail sales, equipment maintenance and contributions to online marketing.

What does a PADI Dive Instructor teach on Koh Tao?

A PADI Instructor can teach anything from PADI Discover Scuba Diving (try dives) to a PADI Divemaster course.

Koh Tao issues more entry-level scuba diving certifications than any other place in the world by far.

You can expect to teach a lot of Open Water courses. From time to time you will have people that are limited on time and can only do the Discover Scuba Diving program.

On top of that, there will be regular continuing education courses, like PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver or PADI Specialty courses.

As a new PADI Instructor Koh Tao is a great place to gain invaluable teaching experience before relocating to other parts of the world, if you so choose.

Is accommodation included in the cost of the PADI IDC course on Koh Tao?

Accommodation is generally not included in the IDC course price.

Most local guesthouses will offer weekly or monthly rentals from THB 6,000 – 25,000 per month.

In the cheaper price range you will have a fan based room with hot shower and perhaps a fridge and tv.

The higher price range you will have full service A/C cooled bungalows potentially with a swimming pool.

If you need any assistance with finding long-term accommodation during your Dive Instructor course, send us a message and we will be happy to help.

Do I need to bring any equipment for the PADI IDC course on Koh Tao?

We can provide a full set of standard equipment during your training with us. When it comes to additional pieces of dive equipment, you will need to provide these.

Below you can find the additional equipment that is required as per PADI standards:

  • Time-monitoring device
  • Compass
  • Knife/diver’s tool
  • Two surface signaling devices *one audible and one visible*
  • Dive flag *where locally required*
  • Instructions for use for your dive computer or the RDP/eRDPml

We also recommend having a Rescue Breathing Mask, as it is used quite often during your diver training.

If you are missing any pieces of equipment, you can purchase them through our retail store at a 15% discount.

What does it take to become a PADI Scuba Diving Instructor on Koh Tao?

To become a PADI scuba diving instructor, as a non diver or beginner, you have to pass all the core recreational scuba certifications before progressing to the Pro Level training.

The recreational courses consist of Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver, including Emergency First Response.

After completing these, you can continue on to become a Divemaster, which is the first level of professional diving.

A certified Divemaster can then enroll in the Instructor Development Course (IDC).

Once they have successfully completed the IDC and have proof of 100 logged dives they can attend the Instructor Examination and be independently evaluated by PADI to become certified scuba instructors.

If you are interested in becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor, send us a message. We have all-inclusive beginner to instructor internship packages available.

Do I have to attend the PADI IE immediately after my IDC on Koh Tao?

After completing your IDC you can join any IE anywhere in the world within a 1-year period.

This means you do not have to rush your training and you can join the PADI IE when you feel ready.

We do recommend taking the PADI IE while everything is still fresh in your mind. If you do decide to wait, we can suggest completing additional training with us before attending the next available PADI Instructor Examination.