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.
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
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.
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.
This rating sets you apart from other dive instructors by showing your commitment to continuing your dive training and being prepared to help others continue their training as well. You also get to teach PADI specialty diver courses – which opens the door to lots of fun while working.
To qualify as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, you must:
Be a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Have five PADI Specialty Instructor certifications
Have certified at least 25 PADI Divers
How can we help you achieve this?
At Scuba Cat Diving we have two methods you can do this, individual courses or as an all inclusive MSDT internship.
Each month directly after the IE we hold the MSDT prep program. This comprises of 5 speciality instructor certifications. This is the first step required in obtaining your MSDT.
Present a knowledge development presentation from the specialty diver course outline.
State the purpose and goals of the specialty diver course.
Explain the course standards and procedures from the PADI Specialty Course Instructor Guide.
List student diver and instructor equipment requirements.
Explain the specialty diver course open water training considerations.
Demonstrate mastery of all knowledge development and water skill performance requirements for the specialty diver course.
Conduct an open water teaching assignment and demonstrate all open water performance requirements for the specialty diver course. Skills may be combined as appropriate for open water training dives.
Describe how to conduct all course segments in a manner that enables divers to meet course performance requirements.
Describe successful marketing and promotional techniques to promote specialty diver training as part of the PADI System.
Determine costs involved in the pricing of specialty training.
After successful completion of the 5 specialty Instructor rating you will require 25 certifications in order to apply for the MSDT.
At Scuba Cat Diving we have a work experience program which is designed especially for New Instructors. You will gain the 25 certifications required for the MSDT whilst working along side our team of experienced PADI Instructors, benefiting not only from the certifications and the knowledge you will gain from them but from being part of a working dive centre, gaining a valuable insite into how you will be able to use your personality to best fit into your new role.
Places are still available for the Instructor Development Course (IDC) scheduled to start on 5th February 2012 at Scuba Cat Diving, Phuket, Thailand.
We are pleased to announce that we have won our first award of 2012, the PADI Green Star Award for our dedication to environmentally responsible business practices and commitment to conservation of underwater habitats. We are the only Dive Centre in Thailand to gain this award to date.
"The first in Thailand"
Our dedicated team of PADI Professionals will be there to support you from the moment you arrive at Scuba Cat to the moment you leave. Sarah Kench, PADI Course Director will be available to you throughout your IDC assisted by Sean Porter, PADI Master Instructor, between them they are two of the most experienced and diverse PADI Professionals on the Island.
Scuba Cat Diving is the only DDI (Disabled Divers International) Instructor Training Centre in Asia and Sarah is the only DDI Instructor Trainer in this rewarding Certification.
This could be you.............
The Scuba Cat IDC has been developed to make our candidates well-rounded PADI Instructors who can work anywhere in the world.
If you wanted to be part of this , what are you waiting for come and join us….
Today is results day for the Candidates from the August Scuba Cat IDC.
"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!
"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.
