September PADI IDC and DDI Instructor Course

Posted on August 21, 2013 by admin

The September PADI IDC here at Scuba Cat Diving Phuket, Thailand started early this month, all the candidates are with us and raring to get started. Welcome to Joe (UK) Dan (UK) and Ye Chen (China). Looking forward to working with you all! This month will be conducting additional training in both confined water and Instructor level dive theory.

High Season is just around the corner and we are looking for New PADI Instructors to join the team here. A great way to gain experience after your Instructor training is to join our MSDT and Work Experience internship. This enables you to get your first 25 certifications under the guidance of our experienced Instructor team.

The best way for us to see you in action and you to get to know us more is this internship, you will spend so much time around us you will really feel part of the team. All paid Instructors at Scuba Cat are required to have a valid Work Permit for Phuket Province.

In addition to the PADI IDC at Scuba Cat we are pleased to be running a DDI (Disabled Diver International) Instructor level course on 3rd and 4th September 2013.

Joining us for this course so far are Marc, Tim and Debbie. We do have more spaces available if you want to join us.

The course takes 2 days, we are not teaching you how to teach but how to adapt your teaching to suit the disabled.

National Geographic Dive Centre – What is it?

Posted on June 14, 2012 by admin

PADI joined with National Geographic, to jointly create the National Geographic Diver program. They both have the common goal of encouraging public interest in recreational diving worldwide and exposing people to the underwater environment to help them gain a better appreciation of this new world.

Who can teach the National Geographic Diver Certification Course?

PADI National Geographic Programs is only offered through PADI 5 * Dive Centres and Gold Palm Resorts throughout the world that qualify as PADI National Geographic Dive Centres.

PADI Instructors working for these centres are the only ones eligible to teach these courses, it is a Certification awarded to the Dive Centre not the Individual Instructor.

What is the difference between the National Geographic Diver Certification and the PADI Open Water Diver Certification?

As a National Geographic Diver, you have all the qualifications of a PADI Open Water Diver plus additional knowledge that broadens your awareness of the underwater environment and new skills to better explore underwater. The PADI Open Water Diver course is the foundation for the National Geographic Diver program.

What does the National Geographic Diver Program Include?

The National Geographic Diver program allows you to become a scuba diver or, if you are already, the opportunity to increase your diving skills. The program promotes adventure, discovery, exploration, and conservation. Along with learning dive skills and mastering safety information, you will complete a Knowledge Review based on information gained by reading the National Geographic Diver Almanac and watching the DVD. Once in the Open Water you will demonstrate the ability to hover in at least three different positions. Also, you will take part in an Exploration Project that includes gathering information and creating a visual representation of the dive site detailing specific features. You will also practice navigating a square or rectangle pattern using a compass and natural references or take part in an aquatic life identification exercise.

What recognition does a National Geographic Diver get?

You’ll receive a distinctive National Geographic Diver certification card. This card signifies that you have completed the program’s knowledge and skill requirements, joining an elite group of divers. You will show this certification card any time you need dive services as you travel around seeking new dive adventures.

How does the National Geographic Diver Program support aquatic education and conservation of underwater environments?

All of National Geographic’s net proceeds from the PADI National Geographic Diver program will support exploration, conservation, research, and education. National Geographic supports a wide array of aquatic initiatives, including expeditions to reveal and share unique underwater environments around the globe. Other projects will include preservation of national marine sanctuaries and protection of endangered aquatic animals and plants.

Project AWARE, in conjunction with PADI, introduces many divers and non-divers each year to aquatic conservation and environmental issues. The National Geographic Diver program further encourages understanding of and respect for the underwater world’s delicate ecosystems.

What are you waiting for…. become a National Geographic Diver today

PADI Poseidon Rebreather Course

Posted on June 4, 2012 by admin

Scuba Cat Diving are proud to have the Open Water Training for the first Phuket PADI Poseidon MKV1 Closed Circuit Rebreather Instructor Course on board MV Scuba Fun this week.

Think rebreathers are just for technical diving? Think again….

The Poseidon MKV1 Closed Circuit Rebreather are lightweight, easy-transportable units that use sophisticated electronics to simplify their use.

The benefits of diving a closed circuit rebreather over traditional open circuit scuba include;

longer no decompression limits
reduced gas consumption

Imagine the experiences and photographs you could get with the underwater wildlife as you become part of their world with no bubbles and less noise….

The PADI Recreational Closed Circuit Rebreather course is now available at Scuba Cat Diving in conjunction with Ben Reymenants.

The two courses we offer for Recreational Divers are :

PADI Rebreather Diver

How long is the Course?

3 days/4 Dives

You must be:

a PADI Open Water Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from a recognized organization)
a PADI Enriched Air Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from a recognized organization)
18 years old with 25 logged dives

What you will learn on the Course:

to use Rebreathers to a maximum of 18m depth within no-decompression limits.
to set up and care for, plan and make dives on the Poseidon MKV1 Closed Circuit Rebreather

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI Advanced Rebreather

PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver

How long is the Course?

3 days /4 Dives

You must be:

a PADI Rebreather Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization) prior to certification
a PADI Enriched Air Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
18 years old with 30 logged Dives

What you will learn on the Course:

Teaches you to carry a bailout cylinder and dive to 30m max (40m max with PADI Deep Diver).
Respond to problems – bailout to open circuit – you will have a bailout cylinder to enable you to bailout from greater depth.

PADI Divemaster Exchange program, Koh Tao Candidate

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

The day had arrived, Richard had departed for Crystal Dive Resort on Koh Tao and we were to meet the other half of the Exchange program, Emma Van Burck……..

A whirlwind of diving passion had arrived, we had planned a liveaboard trip for her on board MV Scuba Adventure to Similan Islands as her first learning experience with us so she could gain an insite into this valuable Divemaster role. The only thing was she has 2 hours with us in Phuket before Adventure departed..

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand MV Scuba Adventure Similans Liveaboard

Emma's first home in Phuket

Emma’s experience

The general experience provided by the exchange program was one that increased my passion for diving, enjoyment of the DMT program and desire to complete PADI IDC ten fold. I would personally recommend all DMTs to complete the same if not similar program as part of their Dive Master training. It gave me more insight into how dive centers are run, how PADI Open water programs can be presented, the management of staff and the options available for fun diving. This new information has allowed me to make a more educated decision towards furthering my career in both diving and with PADI.

The support provided by both dive centers during this program was second to none. Sarah Kench made an exceptional effort in including me in all aspects of her business and provided the experience of a life time. The highlight of the trip was by far the liveaboard trip but the time spent working on land in the shop and assisting instructors was both rewarding and enjoyable. Sarah was hospitable, friendly, professional and supportive in a way that made me feel like I was a permanent part of her team not just a passing through guest. She allowed me to have an experience at Scuba Cat that showed the real side of her business not just a snapshot of the “good things”. By giving me this kind of experience I felt that the program provided all the right kind of information for a DMT who is looking for guidance in where to go with their diving career.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand MV Scuba Adventure Liveaboard

Koh Tachai

In comparison I found the two dive centers to be very different. The infamous thai phrase same same but different could not be more appropriately used than in describing Crystal and Scuba Cat. Both businesses are run to high standard, with well trained staff and exceptional facilities. However, the atmosphere and the general set up sets them apart. Having only ever trained and dived at Koh Tao I was naive as to the variety of centre set ups. By doing this exchange so early on in my career I feel like I have widened my perception on working in the dive industry before I become stuck in a single mindset towards one dive school and it’s systems.

Scuba Cat has the distinct advantage of providing the Similans diving experience. The variety of dive sites, dive conditions, and enormity of the sites is a massive draw card and provided me with the most enjoyable dives I have ever done in my short diving career. It allowed me to take the basic training I completed in Koh Tao and push new boundaries. The beauty of the sites and variety of things to see is unquestionably the best part of diving on the west coast. The opportunity to do night dives, drift dives, sunset dives and swim with manta rays was the highlight of my trip and for that reason alone I would return to the west coast to go diving. The boats and boat staff that Scuba Cat have are exceptional and are a big part of why the live aboard trip was so enjoyable. The staff are helpful, friendly and professional at all times and the boats used by the company are far more superior to Crystal’s.

While the variety of dive sites on Koh Tao is much smaller than in Phuket and the Similans I personally feel it provides the perfect diving experience for completing any course especially open water. As a zero to hero DMT the smaller dive sites provided me with the perfect introduction to diving and allowed me to gain my confidence.

I was very Impressed with the open water schedule provided by Scuba Cat in which the confined is run as an all day experience with a relaxed atmosphere. The three dive day one and one dive on day two schedule on the boats with the opportunity to complete half of your PADI advanced on the second day is an excellent way to improve customers chance of wanting to complete their advance course.

It is hard to draw a line and say that one dive centre is better than the other as they provided completely different experiences and opportunities for divers who are training or fun diving. The program was introduced to me by saying that the east coast and west coasts are very different but both have their strong points. This is exactly what I experienced. It has also broken down many misconceptions that I had about the differences between the two sides of Thailand.

Our Next IDC – September 2011

Posted on August 19, 2011 by admin

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

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….

Scuba Cat IDC – August 2011

Posted on August 13, 2011 by admin

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.

How A PADI Instructor renewed his vows

Posted on August 7, 2011 by admin

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 100^th 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.

"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.

"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…………….