What does it cover?
The Instructor Development Course (IDC) is the cornerstone of PADI’s professional-level training. Becoming a PADI Instructor consists of these segments – knowledge development, practical application and the Instructor Examination. The online portion of the course covers nine topics which prepare you for the practical sessions needed to complete your Assistant Instructor or Open Water Scuba Instructor course. Through PADI’s eLearning® system and practical segments of the IDC, you are introduced to the complete PADI System of Diver Education, and you learn to use it as a professional dive educator – a PADI Assistant Instructor or Open Water Scuba Instructor.
What are the PADI IDC prerequisites?
Prior to enrolling in the PADI IDC, you must be at least 18 years old, have a current medical attesting to your diving fitness signed by a physician within the previous 12 months, and hold a leadership level diving certification such as the PADI Divemaster rating. You must also have been a certified diver for at least six months and be able to prove that you have completed at least 60 dives (100 before attending the IE). If you have any questions as to whether you meet the necessary prerequisites, please contact your PADI Course Director or PADI IDC Staff Instructor.
How does it work?
After enrolling, PADI’s eLearning system presents you with interactive presentations that include videos, audio, graphics and reading. Short quizzes let you gauge your progress, and review and correct anything you might happen to miss. This lets you move through the program efficiently and at your own pace.
What does it cost?
The eLearning portion of the course is $330 (CDN) nonrefundable. Your PADI IDC or CDC center will charge you for the practical application portion of the course. After completion of the IDC, you must successfully complete a PADI Instructor Examination (IE).
Other costs – There are fees for the Assistant Instructor and Instructor applications as well as for attendance at the two-day Instructor Examination (IE).
Materials – To take an IDC, you need a current PADI Instructor Manual and the IDC Crew-Pak that includes the PADI’s Guide to Teaching. There are other required materials and equipment, some of which you already have. Your PADI Course Director or PADI IDC Staff Instructor will guide and counsel you on what you need, and will make suggestions to help you prepare for a valuable course experience.
Contact the PADI Dive Center or Resort where you will complete the practical segments of the course to discuss total courses costs, equipment, materials and logistical requirements.
What else is required to become a PADI Instructor?
Once you successfully complete the IDC, you enroll in a two-day Instructor Examination (IE). When you successfully complete the IE and all requirements are verified at PADI (including having a current CPR/First Aid Instructor credential and having logged at least 100 dives), you earn the PADI Instructor rating.
How long do you have to complete the eLearning course?
The eLearning segment of the course is available for one year from the time of course registration.
What is the minimum amount of time it will take to complete this eLearning program?
The PADI IDC online will take approximately 7 – 8 hours to complete.
How do you document that you’ve completed the eLearning segment?
Once you finish the eLearning portion of the course, your dive centre is notified that you have completed it and that you are ready for the practical phase of the program. At the end of the eLearning program, you can print out your eRecord and bring a copy of it with you to your selected PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center or Resort.