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
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
