Take your Scuba Diving Instruction to another level

Posted on June 23, 2012 by admin

Congratulations!

Teoh and Alex became the latest PADI Instructors to be certified as DDI (Disabled Divers International) Instructors last week.

Last weekend, they completed a DDI Pro course held by Sarah Kench (PADI Course Director and DDI Instructor Trainer)

During the two day course they thoroughly reviewed the differences in the Standards for this inspiring course and how to adapt their teaching to suit the needs of the individual partaking in the course. Many different types of disability were looked at in detail.

They also looked at the whole range of Courses offered by the DDI that they will be able to teach including:

Surface Assistant
Try Scuba Diving
Scuba Diver
Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Nitrox 36%
Assistant Diver

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand DDI Instructor Training Course

They had to consider how to adapt their training as PADI Instructors when looking at Logistics for the course, Confined Water training, Open Water training, Entries and Exits to and from the water, the use of Assistants, adapting Scuba Diving Equipment as well as the Dive Centre itself.

In the water they played the role of blind divers and took it in turns to be the Instructor, having to think in a way that opened up their minds to new techniques such as speaking clearly to students so they can understand what is happening without sight and tactile teaching.

Next came scuba diving with paraplegic and quadriplegic customers in terms of equipment configuration, donning of wetsuits, lifting techniques, signs and so on.

They learned many new techniques and realized that it is mainly peoples mindsets that limit the possibilities.

At the end of the course both Alex and Teoh realized that all of these new skills would improve the quality of their courses as PADI Instructors too.

Do you want to take your teaching up to the next level? Come and see Sarah at MIDE 2012, where she will be representing the DDI on stand A3

E-learning PADI IDC starts July 1st 2012

Posted on June 21, 2012 by admin

Here at Scuba Cat we are proud to announce that the PADI IDC starting on July 1st is totally E-learning based.

What have the students completed by doing the PADI IDC E-learning?

Before the candidates join us on 1st July they have already completed 9 IDC Curriculum presentations

Learning, Instruction and the PADI System

General Standards and Procedures – this is the first part of the topic and they will complete the second part in class

Risk Management – again, this is the first part of the topic with the second part being completed in class

Marketing Diving – during this topic they will have worked on marketing plans to take with your class

Start Diving

Teaching PADI Specialty Diver Courses

Business of Diving – they will have worked on a business analysis that you will all share during the IDC

Keep Diving

How to Teach the Recreational Dive Planner (RDP) – required for crossover candidates; optional for PADI Members, but a great refresher for dive table background and use.

And not only that they have also completed all the PADI Dive Theory E-learning too, ensuring they are the most prepared they can be for this life changing course

So you might be thinking – what does this do for them?

Well just think they will be saving themselves hours of classroom time, now instead of listening to all the presentations live in the classroom we can spend so much extra time doing the confined and open water presentations that are required during the PADI IDC ensuring they will not only pass the PADI IE, but pass it with exceptional understanding and scores!

It will also be useful for you if you only have a limited amount of time available to complete your PADI IDC.

So what are you waiting for?

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.

PADI IDC available every month at Phuket Thailand

Posted on April 13, 2012 by admin

Could this be you?

What are you waiting for come and join us……………..

Career Internship

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin

Simon Lomas ……..The story so far

Back in October 2011 I arrived in Patong, Phuket with the intention of spending the next 5 months diving and completing as many PADI courses as I could in the time. I was an Advanced Open Water Diver and I had the ambition of going up to my Master Scuba Diver Trainer with an Internship at Scuba Cat Diving.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC

Pre Dive Safety Check

Things started well after a few days to recover from the flight, I had a couple of days fun diving as I had not been in the water for over a year. Then I flew through my Emergency First Responder Course with the excellent instruction of Tony Lock, one of Scuba Cat’s Managers and Core Instructors.

Next: my PADI Rescue course. This was a great follow up to the EFR and under the instruction of Vince Moy, another great PADI Instructor. This course was very physically demanding and covered all scenario’s you will ever encounter and many you will never see too. After a few days I was exhausted, but was pleased to be told that I had passed with flying colours.

This was proved after meeting other instructors, who been working with other companies, that my course was much more in depth and I came out tired but much more confident.

Vincent Moy was again my instructor for my PADI Divemaster course. This I planned to do over a couple of months, so I could get experience as well as instruction. The Divemaster course is mentally demanding as well as physically as you need to learn all about Dive theory: physics, physiology, RDP and equipment as well as how go run safe guiding sessions.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Scuba Diving Internship

Hover

Assisting instructors, with real courses and with simulated courses, does this. The simulated courses lets you see and deal with things that can happen so you can learn to deal with them and the real courses helps with the real world teaching and how different instructors teach in different ways. This course was good as it let me learn and dive at the same time.

I had great fun with a Chinese family who were with Tony one day. They all hit the water and got excited. They all swam off in different directions some could swim other could not. Wow, trying to hold two with my hands then towing a third who was holding on to my fin whilst I was finning with the other was something I wont forget in a hurry!

After completing my Divemaster course I went under the instruction of Big Vince, who’s job was to get me ready for the PADI IDC, bridging the gap in my Dive Theory getting me to a level where I could confidently demonstrate skills to a very high standard comfortably and confidently.

At first I was annoyed at this, as I believed I had already done this and was now wasting my time. I was wrong. Big Vince got me up to a very high standard, which came in so useful later.

Pool Skills

Now to my IDC……..hmmm where to start.

Since my time with Scuba Cat I had seen two IDC courses before mine and I saw the stress levels of some students, so I was a bit nervous. This was now not about skills but how to teach them. The others had far more experience than me but after my time with the Vinces’ I was confident.

Classroom

The classroom sessions were fun but very well run. We learned all we needed to and more. Both Sarah, PADI Course Director and Sean, PADI Master Instructor were hard on us and as a result our standards were far higher than the other candidates when it came to our PADI IE.

I was appalling at physics, even after passing with both Vincent and Vince but with Sean going over it everyday in different ways I got the hang of it with 12 hours to spare.

The Open water skills were good fun too, as we now had to teach. Sarah gave us problems which we had to over come that were far harder than any we encountered on the PADI IE. This made us so much more aware of problem spotting and solving than any we would got in the IE.

All in all the IDC was a hard two weeks but good fun as well.

I believe I coped far better than most of the other students I had seen from previous IDC’s, I was shaved and I only lost a few kilos and always slept well compared to many others who were up all night.

Thanks Scuba Cat for the preparation.

Now to the final IE this gave us a sleep in as it did not start till 3-4 pm which meant I could relax and have a few beers the night before, get up late have a good breakfast and a massage before getting ready. The Friday afternoon for me was the most nerve raking, the written theory exams, all 5 and the PADI General Standards. It was only Physics that bothered me. I did the exams well within the time, well actually with an hour to spare, sorry Sean I did try to slow down! I got them marked there and then. I did not look at the mark, only to make sure the examiner drew a “P” on them for pass then walked out.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Learn to Dive Internship

Passed

The next day, Saturday was confined water skills and presentations. Easy. We got to the pool, in, did the skills, out, all passed no make-ups necessary in minutes.

That afternoon, knowledge development presentation which Sarah and Sean had prepared us so well for during the IDC, again we flew through.

All that was left was the open water sessions on the Sunday.

Rescue-scenario sped through – thanks guys.

The teaching scenarios were good too as Sarah had made the standards so high in our IDC it meant that actual IE was simple.

On top off all this I also managed to do 5 specialities towards my PADI MSDT which will be done when I return. This was great for me as I now have a the skills to work well and on top of that I also came out of my internship with a job offer too.

….Thailand here I come.

A big thanks to all at Scuba Cat, Sang, Jack and all in the shops, Akiko for getting me hooked on Diving with my Open Water Course a couple of years previous, Tony for so much help, encouragement and advice throughout. To Nat, who helped me so much with my guiding and how to find so many things. To Vincent Moy for all his help on my Rescue, Divemaster and photography courses .To Big Vince for his frowning, head shaking and low scores throughout his training of me, which has now got me to the standard needed for the IDC. Last but by no mean least, to Sarah and Sean who taught us, laughed at (with) us and made the IDC fun as well got me to become not just an instructor but a GOOD Instructor.

Now as I was told throughout my IDC stop talking or you will lose points if you are still going after the sun goes down.

Thanks to you all.

See you in October for the next chapter in my story.

PADI IDC Theory Preparation – Why?

Posted on April 5, 2012 by admin

So you have decided to come to Scuba Cat Diving on Phuket to complete you PADI IDC, great choice……. so why should you prepare yourself before?

The PADI IDC is NOT designed to re-teach you the skills and knowledge needed to become a Divemaster. All the skills and theory learnt then, should be reviewed BEFORE the start of your IDC.

Would you head off to university to complete a degree and expect to be retaught your previous education?

During the PADI IE you are required to sit 5 theory exams:

Physics
Physiology
Equipment
RDP
General Skills and the Environment

These exams were part of the OLD PADI Divemaster Course (Pre 2011) They are not part of the new Divemaster Course (2011 +) So if you took the new Divemaster course you will need to fill this gap in your knowledge.

You may have decided to cross over from another Scuba Diving Organisation to become a PADI Instructor, this will bring you up to speed with the required theory.

The biggest hurdle faced by many candidates who took the old Divemaster Course or are new to the PADI system is that there is a gap between when they last completed the theory exams and now.

How can you get help to do this?

If you are feeling uncomfortable in this area and feel like you would like some extra tuition, then we recommend:

Dive Theory On line – E learning

PADI have devised a revision tool for you for your dive theory

– 6 separate video presentation’s cover all the theory plus your diving skills.

For example:
The Physics of diving video presentation is 39 minutes long, and comprises of 68 different slides.

The areas covered are:

Heat light and sound in water
Buoyancy
Pressure and Water
Pressure Volume and Density relationships
Gases underwater – partial pressure
Gases underwater – Gas Absorption and elimination

You get the opportunity to test your understanding throughout the sections and then when you are happy, complete the final exam for that section.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI E learning Dive Theory

Self study

The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving and Diving Knowledge Workbook. These are great for people who don’t have regular internet access, they can be used either as standalone revision or to compliment the e learning.

An IDC Staff Instructor, James Brabyn, who has worked with Scuba Cat Diving for a number of years has put together an IDC & IE Revision Guide DVD that can also assist you with your preparation, contact me for more details. This again is best used with the Dive Theory online.

Dont forget that the professional IDC team here at Scuba Cat Diving, PADI 5 * CDC are always here to help you prepare as well. So if there is any theory you just cannot understand then please give us a call or send an email. We will arrange a private tuition session before the start of the IDC to help you review the theory .

Your success in the IDC is directly linked to the amount of effort both you and our Staff put in prior and during your training here.

Ensuring you are fully prepared before arriving in Thailand will help you to succeed, and I dont mean just pass the IDC/IE but to become a fully rounded highly employable PADI Instructor.

PADI Go Pro – Change your life

Posted on August 24, 2011 by admin

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.

"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.

"Change your life"

Tim Sherrill
PADI IDCS 235186

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….

Do you want to discover another world?

Posted on August 11, 2011 by admin

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.

"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.

"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 ?

Posted on August 9, 2011 by admin

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

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.

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!

PADI IDC News

Scuba Diving Courses in Phuket

Tag Archives: PADI 5 * CDC