PADI Go Pro – Change your life

Wanted to catch you up on what has been happening since I last wrote to you.

Exactly one day short of a year from my PADI Rescue Diver certification I passed the PADI Instructor Examination. I quickly advanced to PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and then on to PADI IDC Staff Instructor.

I now teach the PADI Specialties: Deep, Dry Suit, Enriched Air NITROX, Night, O2 Provider, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project A.W.A.R.E., Project A.W.A.R.E. Coral Reef Conservation, Underwater Navigator and Wreck and I am an Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC

"Tim at work"

I am also the Divers Alert Network instructor for TL Sea Diving and teach all of the DAN scuba safety courses.
I should complete all of the requirements for PADI Master Instructor by the end of 2011.

My goal is to complete the PADI Course Director program within the next two years. At which point I plan to move back to Hawaii and work full time in the dive industry.
Around the time I started my PADI Divemaster program at TL Sea two of our Instructors started a charity called Dive Around The Clock. The concept is we put a new buddy team into the water every half hour for a 24 hour period to raise money for the Seattle Children’s Hospital oncology department. Each year we have a family that has been through cancer treatments at Children’s come and talk at our closing ceremonies about their experience. Some of the children have gone on to become PADI Open Water divers themselves so they can take part in the event. It is really great to see divers from different dive centers as well as all the diving organizations coming together to support our local community. I am very proud to have been a member of the DATC board and help this happen.
To think all of this life transformation started because you told me I should buy a dry suit and dive more often. I can’t thank you enough you truly have changed my life, for the better.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC

"Change your life"

Tim Sherrill
PADI IDCS 235186

Our Next IDC – September 2011

Scuba Cat still has spaces on the Instructor Development Course (IDC) scheduled to start on 28th August 2011.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IDC

Our dedicated IDC team of PADI Professionals will be there to support you from the moment you arrive at Scuba Cat to the moment you leave.

The Scuba Cat IDC has been developed to make our candidates well-rounded PADI Instructors who can work anywhere in the world.

You will gain knowledge in areas as diverse as risk management, teaching children, hands-on experience of the business of diving, and PADI standards & procedures.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IDC

"Open Water"

Upon successful completion of the PADI Instructor Exam (IE)

you will be a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor!

Pre-requisites For Joining:

  • You must be a qualified PADI Divemaster;
  • Minimum 60 logged dives
  • A successfully completed & sanctioned CPR & First Aid Course in the last 24 months

So what are you waiting for come and join us….

Disabled Diving Instructor

Scuba Cat Diving is known for many reasons with regard to Scuba Diving. We really do offer scuba diving for everybody!

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Learn to Dive

"Sarah"

I consider myself to be a privileged Scuba Diving Instructor and would like to invite you to join me.

I am a PADI Course Director and get to teach everybody from PADI Bubblemaker up to PADI Instructors.

You might be thinking yeah so what……… all PADI Course Directors can do that and yes, you are right………. they can, how ever there is one thing that sets me apart from the others in Phuket and the rest of Asia.

As well as being a PADI Course Director, I am the General Manager of Scuba Cat Diving and an Instructor Trainer for the DDI. As well as myself,  Disabled Divers International has certified some of our instructors and Dive Centre; we are the only DDI Instructor Training Centre in Asia.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Learn to Dive

Teaching a disabled person to dive is an experience that cannot be compared to teaching an able bodied person to dive, for both you and your student.  It is a special moment, a moment which words cannot describe.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Learn to Dive

"Freedom"

During the DDI Instructor Course course you will learn history & purpose, psychological adjustments to physical disabilities and much more. I won’t teach you to be an instructor……. I know you already are, I will teach you about the considerations to make this training special for both you and your students.

DDI professional training adds to your box, a new set of tools and knowledge to train disabled divers safely and shows you how to certify them with varied levels of limitations depending on the student’s ability to perform program requirements and standards.

Being a Disabled Diving Instructor isn’t for everyone, however, if you have it in you and are truly patient then this training for you.

If you again are up for a challenge and one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching Scuba Diving, then Scuba Cat Diving is here to help you.

For the remainder of 2011/12, if you enroll in our Gold IDC Package, we are please to offer opportunity to become a DDI Instructor, For Free (normally 20,000 Baht) the only thing you will pay for is the DDI Professional Fees.

Hopefully we’ll be able to increase the number of  DDI Instructors and make diving more assessable for people with Disabilities.

Scuba Cat Diving is helping DDI Foundation to spread the word…scuba diving for all!

PADI IE August 2011 – Congratulations

Today is results day for the Candidates from the August Scuba Cat IDC.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IE

"Team August 2011"

They started the PADI IE on Friday afternoon at 5.00pm, by 8.30pm we had the news we had been waiting for the Dive Theory Exams were ticked off the list – all good so far.

Saturday morning started for the Guys with Confined Water at 8.00am – tick, tick – presentations and skills circuits passed with fantastic scores.

After lunch, into the Hotel for Classroom presentations and the PADI Standards Exam – tick, tick – more great scores….

This morning was the final test for the Guys – off to Paradise Beach for a 8.00am start for the Open Water Presentations. This time they had to combine two skills into one session and perform Rescue Exercise 7  – again tick, tick………

Congratulations to our Brand New PADI Instructors ………….Karine, Oskar and Andy for this fantastic achievement!

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IE

"Congratulations"

Andy is continuing his professional education with Christophe on Tuesday with 5 speciality instructor ratings and the staying to partake in the Scuba Cat Work Experience Program so he can get the 25 certifications required for his MSDT whilst gaining valuable knowledge from our experienced Instructional Team.

Karine and Oskar will be returning later this year to do the same.

Scuba Cat IDC – August 2011

Yesterday was the big day for the students on the August  IDC.

This month the three students for the Scuba Cat IDC  were Karine from France, Andy from Australia and Oskar, who lives in China.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC

"Are they nervous smiles?"

12 days with us here in Phuket, under the watchful eye of PADI Platinum Course Director Christophe Pace they were finally ready.

The first day of the PADI IE here in Phuket the candidates have their IE orientation and then their Dive Theory Exams……… all was good through this nerve wracking time.

This morning they are in the Pool doing their Confined Water Presentations and this afternoon, Classroom presentation and Standards Exam.

Do you want to discover another world?

Imagine waking up every morning on the Island of your dreams, being surrounded by blue seas, white sand and sunshine, all the people you spend time with share the same passion as you, in a world that has never been fully explored, that is full of adventure. This could all be yours with a diving job.

 Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Learn to Dive

"Dreams can come true"

From experience, one of the greatest things in life is when you can turn your passion into your life. After all, what could be better than doing what you love all day— and getting paid for it?

Diving full time as a career was the only way to satisfy my addiction. Diving is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it………..I found the answer to meeting my cravings the day I walked arrived in Phuket and hopefully will never end!

Recreational Diving as an industry is expanding rapidly and new opportunities are arising daily. Being qualified, as a PADI Instructor is your passport to paid employment around the world.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Go Pro

"Working Hard.........."

Once you are qualified you will find you can find work in every corner of the planet where there is water to explore, if it is sunshine you are after, on tropical resorts, liveaboards, cruise ships and private yachts. Working as a Scuba Diving Professional is just one of many satisfying and rewarding scuba diving careers.

Here at Scuba Cat Diving, PADI Instructors do two to five dives a day. They are also responsible for training, safety for students and certified divers, conducting dive tours for certified divers, maintaining scuba gear and filling tanks. This is the same in most places around Thailand and the rest of the world.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC

"What are you waiting for!"

If this sounds like how you want to spend a year off, or possibly the rest of your life – Let the adventure begin!

What is a PADI 5 * CDC ?

The PADI 5-Star Career Development Center (CDC) rating is the highest award given to PADI Dive Centers around the world.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IDC

Of the more than 250 PADI Dive Centers in Thailand, less than 10 have achieved the CDC rating. In addition, Scuba Cat Diving is the only PADI Tec Rec Centre in Phuket, the only DDI (Disabled Divers International) Instructor Training Center in Asia and only one of three CDCs to also hold the prestigious National Geographic Dive Center rating.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Learn to Dive

This award is given to PADI 5 * Instructor Development Centers (IDC) Centers that dedicate their business to professional development beyond regular training. In line with the CDC requirements, Scuba Cat Diving offers professional dive training internships for instructors, Dive masters and technical divers. The program lengths are from two months and include everything you need to become a Scuba Professional in Thailand; courses, materials, Certification fees, accommodations, equipment, job placement, visa assistance and more.

But the advantages of the 5-Star CDC rating don’t stop with professional dive students. “Fun” divers also benefit from Scuba Cat’s facilities and commitment to quality. Whether  diving for a day, taking a liveaboard to the Similans or taking a PADI Course, all divers receive the same quality instruction regardless of their level.

A PADI 5 * CDC must have a minimum of 2 actively teaching PADI Course Directors, with at least one available locally full time and exclusively affiliated with the CDC for all training activities. Sarah Kench, the owner of Scuba Cat Diving is one of the PADI Course Directors here at Scuba Cat, I think there is no doubt she exclusively works for us here!

How A PADI Instructor renewed his vows

I am a longtime PADI diver.   I have been diving all over the world for 30 years.  One of my favorite trips was on the MV Scuba Cat several years ago.

I have over 1000 open water dives,   Many cameras and have certified over 300 divers.  My PADI instructor status is “emeritus”.   I stopped instructing in 1984 — a long time ago.   Now is the time for me to re-up my certs, as I plan to work in the dive industry when an opportunity comes along.

A quick search for a place to take an PADI IDC/IE came up with 100 options.   Narrowed it down to my local dive shop in the Oregon and a PADI Dive Centre  in Phuket, Thailand where I had gone for one of those corporate vacations 10 years ago.   Jimmy Buffet came to me in a dream and crooned sawadee krup .  The next morning I emailed Sarah at Scuba Cat Diving for the 100th time and said I will see you in Nov 22 2010.

Scuba Cat Diving PADI 5 * CDC Center Phuket Thailand

"Hi Sarah............"

I arrived with 7 other IDC candidates, from a variety of cold climates.  We started 2 weeks of Scuba diving and PADI IDC/IE training.  Scuba Cat provided everything: the equipment, a pool, a boat, a wonderful hotel room a block from the beach, restaurants, the materials and a staff of dive professionals.  The staff were demanding but still made the course so FUN!

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC Centre Phuket Thailand

"working hard"

As classmates, we all helped each other as we all had different talents to share.  The PADI IDC/IE was the most challenging two weeks of diving in my life and the most memorable.  Lifelong friends were made, dreams were shared, and everyone passed the PADI IE on my birthday. To celebrate I did what every diver should do…… diving trip at the Similans on the Scuba Cat Live aboard with your PADI IDC Staff Instructor as a guide.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IDC

"MV Scuba Cat"

Next, it was time to make the big decision towards using this new skill.   A PADI IDC class teaches “how to teach”, not how to work as an PADI instructor.   I chose the 3 month Instructor Internship Program to learn how a dive resort operates and how to experience the diving lifestyle .

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC Center

"The diving lifestyle"

What did I learn?  The dive business is about learning. It is about communicating in languages I don’t speak.  It is about finding the local motorbike rental shop and a place to do laundry.  It is about getting up at 6 am to haul tanks and gear.  It is about sunsets on the boat.  It is about late night classes with customers.   Diving is about making sure your customer raves about their day of diving, even if the visibility is less than perfect.   Here is one of my typical days:

6 am – alarm, shower, shave and pack the days gear ~ Advanced Open Water today, so bring colored slates, extra compasses and fish id slates… eat some Thai breakfast and ride my scooter to the dive shop— (renting a scooter is essential-there are 50 places to rent a motorbike in Patong, just do it)

7am – sort equipment, load the trucks,  drive all over the island to fetch customers.   (In my old life as a vacationer the ride to the boat just magically appeared at my hotel)  Transfer gear onto the boat, Now it is time for the dive instructor in me to go to work.

9 am – Boat ride to the dive site, meet students, knowledge reviews, dive briefing and a cup of coffee with Milo  (a kind of chocolate)

10 am – dive   You know the good stuff

12 pm – dive   More good stuff

1 pm – Lunch (if the customers are not too hungry)

2 pm – Dive  Even better stuff

5pm – take customers and dive staff to the Full Moon Brew Pub in Jungceylon Mall (behind the pirate ship)

7 pm :  shower, dinner and prep for another day.

11 pm : Sleep awhile,  then rinse lather and repeat.

I love the lifestyle that Scuba Cat let me taste.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IDC

"All in a Days work"

Honestly, I cannot think of a better place or a better group of people than on my PADI IDC and the Scuba Cat Crew.   What am I doing now?  Dive guide/ PADI instructor on a boat and planning for that dive shop on the island.   Thank you Scuba Cat!!

Thanks Corey “Mac” Parker for your story…………….

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand – Welcome

Welcome to our new PADI IDC Blog.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IDC Blog

"New"

A Blog covering the news and events of PADI IDCs of Scuba Cat Diving along with diving career and related issues in Phuket, Thailand.

This blog is updated regularly so check back often.

Over the next few weeks the new site www.scubacat-idc.com will be going live.