PADI 5 * CDC Center | PADI IDC News

So the pressure was on, we needed to find a Divemaster Trainee who would get the most from the exchange program.

Then we received an email from one, he had been let down at the last minute by another Dive Company and needed to find a Divemaster Program at short notice.

Scuba Cat’s Candidate was found. Meet Richard Catt…….

Scuba Cat Diving PADI 5 * CDC Phuket Thailand Divemaster

Graduation Day

I arrived at Scuba Cat Diving in Phuket at the beginning of April for five weeks. The plan was to finish my PADI Dive Master training and to decide if i wished to persue a career in the dive industry. Also I aimed to log 100 dives and do my PADI Deep Diver Speciality.

First I had a day to relax, get over my jet lag and explore Patong which was to be my home for the next month. Had a chat with Sarah about my training, the PADI Dive Master Exchange Program and let her know i was keen to get back in the warm water after two weekends of dry suit diving in the UK (a chilling six degrees!)

I spent the next three days diving, learning how Scuba Cat runs and going out on the day boats assisting on PADI Open Water Courses.

I enjoyed working with the PADI Instructors of Scuba Cat as they made me feel welcome and part of the team. Finding out about the boats, MV Scuba Fun and MV Scuba Sport and how they are run was very interesting. Over the next few days i got to meet Instructor, Vince and the people I would be doing the Divemaster course with.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC

After the Phuket Tsunami warning

Following this we then had ten days of theory and pool sessions to get my training finished before I went on Exchange Program. The other trainees were doing their PADI IDC/IE after the DM course, so I also did the extra theory work they were given. In the UK I had practised the 24 scuba/skin diving skills, with Vince’s guidance I was able to perform them all at a higher standard. This helped me with my confidence when I next assisted on the courses. It was a hard, enjoyable and very rewarding ten days but i was glad to get it all completed before going to Koh Tao to start the next part of the adventure.

PADI Region 26 had arranged a Dive Master Exchange Program for DMTs to experience some of their training at another 5 star PADI CDC Centre. I was unsure about the expectation of this PADI Divemaster exchange but was looking forward to taking part. After all this was the first one anywhere in the world!

After a quick flight to Samui, I caught a ferry Crystal Dive Resort on Koh Tao. All staff were really friendly and helpfully & made me welcome. Spent most of the time with Divemaster team – Josh, Sasha, Amy, Keith, Neil and Jen. Each had their own way of doing things and teaching. Which helped me realise you need to approach each class/session differently depending on who you were teaching, so the the lesson flows and was fun. Students & Staff were impressed with my own equipment. (Role model behavior!) Having my own gear made getting it ready easier and quicker, as I was familar with it. It allowed me to help students with their set up and other boat preparation. A valuable part of this program/exchange was definitely helping students, along with getting to lead actual dives (under supervision) another one of the big highlights was seeing students faces after their first dive this is a feeling that money can’t buy, and of course them thanking me personally for my support. Had some great dives, the Discover TEC dive with Ivan, leading the PADI Advanced Open Water wreck dive. Swim throughs at Red Rock-Japanese gardens, whales shark spotting and the fun dives with the other DMTs. At Koh Tao I was able to do several dives on the same sites, which is a first for me. This enable me to learn the sites and point out parts of interest when leading the dives. Also helped with my confidence during the dive briefings.

Made friends with Emma’s (the other half of the exchange program) group, who made me feel welcome and took me out to eat most nights. Crystal was a big social community was nice to catch up with everyone at the end of the day, have a chat do log books and plan the next day.

Starting My PADI Divemaster Course in England and finishing it off in Thailand has been a great experience. It was good see to how two PADI 5 star CDC centres work and compare them to my dive shop at home and others places I have dived. Being part of the staff I was able to really see how they run. Thailand has really opened my eyes regarding the professional training supplied and received from both Scuba Cat and Crystal Resort. Both centres have passion and professionalism for scuba diving and PADI. Along with excellent facilities and accommodation. It really has been one of the best experiences of my life.

Being able to see both sides of this country and the diving/training these centres has had to offer is truly incredible. Anybody thinking of doing this program should sign up straight away. I think doing this exchange along with all the other places I have dived will make me a better PADI DM/Instructor.

After the exchange Sarah gave me a chance of a Liveaboard trip on board MV Scuba Adventure to Hin Dueng and Hin Mueng. Working on the liveaboard was another great learning experience, was able to see how the boat and crew work. Kath, the Tour Leader did a great job making sure everyone settled on board showed as to our cabins and where to set up our scuba gear. The crew did brilliant job of getting everyone safely in and out of the water and were always on hand to assist you with your equipment. The food was amazing, a mini feast was laid out for us after every dive.

"Working hard................"

Had to draw a few dive maps so I could do some of the dive briefings and then lead the dives. Lots of great dive sites, full of soft and hard corals. Especially enjoyed Hin Muang and Hin Daeng. Had to look at my fish slates after each dive to remember all the fish and learn the names of new ones. The West Coast has some great and varied dive sites. When I come back I’d love to dive the Similans. Really enjoyed the 3 days, Sarah was lovely and added another dive to the trip so I was able to my 100th dive before leaving Thailand, it was a great way to end an amazing 5 weeks.

"Dive Briefing with a Difference.............."

All the staff at Scubacat were a pleasure to work with, I enjoyed my time in Patong. Everyone gave me advice and encouragement to continue my career in diving. I prefer the smaller size of the dive groups and boats at Scubacat. Vince was a great DM mentor and I learnt a lot from his various interests in diving including Tec and Chamber work. Even got to do my PADI Deep Diver Speciality with Sarah herself.

I look forward to returning to do my PADI IDC/IE with Sarah and Sean later this year. When I return to the UK I will assist on courses with my local dive shop, to gain as much experience as possible.

Best trip I have ever done, do not know how I will beat it. Still smiling when I think about all the things I was able to achieve.

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.

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.

"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…………….