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.

Ursula’s Story – After the PADI IE

Posted on April 4, 2012 by admin

HI!!

It’s morning. I am still stunned. Sarah, the PADI Course Director told us that there is usually a “24hr Shock period” before we get back to normal. Yup, she’s right!!

The last few weeks were really strenuous, as you know!! Not only on us, but on Sarah and Sean the Master Instructor too! They kept on telling us that a pass is not only an evaluation of the candidate’s abilities but also a reflection of their teaching!!

Can you say “pressure on everyone”!!!

I remember Sarah telling me that she would not let me participate in the PADI IE if she didn’t think I could do it! So She was a solid support for me throughout.

A pass seems all that is important to the team, to the Course Director and to PADI and Sarah told me I was ready. But I worried about passing. A lot.

When the PADI Examiner told me my score on the open water presentation yesterday…. I could only hang my jaw open! 2 water Skills, each with a briefing & debriefing. 2 scores, no make-ups. Anything lower than a 3.5/5 was a fail. I know it is not really important, but Wow! I got a 4.2 and a 4.6 on the open water skills! I was truly ecstatic! Same-same when I heard my physics exam score (92%) and the classroom presentation, no make-up: 4.7/5!

See, Saturdays confined water (pool) presentation score was a 3.6/5 So, ya, I worried!

In the end, the scores really don’t matter… I passed & got the handshake….. but when the Examiner said: You showed a strong performance throughout the IE…. I don’t think there could have been better words to let me know that not only do I pass, but I passed WELL. He saw it!

Scuba Cat Diving PADI 5 * CDC Phuket Thailand

Passed

THAT….. is something to me.

Is not so easy to change your life direction at 44. All of you played a part in this.

Scuba Cat Diving PADI IDC Phuket Thailand

Ursula and Sarah

Thank you.

Now…. I have to pack for Fiji!

Love you all.

PADI IDC – April 2012

Posted on April 2, 2012 by admin

We still have space for you on the April PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) that starts this Sunday (8th April 2012) at Scuba Cat Diving in Patong Beach.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC

come and join us..........

Sarah Kench, PADI Course Director is assisted by Sean Porter PADI Master Instructor. Their diverse teaching styles means the IDC is designed for the candidates with passion for diving and who wish to become the best. You wont just pass the IDC but will be ready for “real life” teaching once the PADI IE is finished. If you’re aiming to be the best and love to be challenged what are you waiting for, come and join us………

Scuba cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IDC

Thanks Ursula...

Sarah has just received a Certificate of Excellence for her IDC’s from PADI.

Scuba Cat Diving IDC – February 2012

Posted on January 21, 2012 by admin

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.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI Green Star Award

"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….

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.

"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….

PADI IE August 2011 – Congratulations

Posted on August 14, 2011 by admin

Today is results day for the Candidates from the August Scuba Cat IDC.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI IE

"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.

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.

"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.

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!