PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)

The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor program is your final step in the quest to become a PADI Instructor. During the IDC, you'll learn to use and adapt the PADI System of diver education to individual student needs. Comprehensive training, supported by a wide variety of PADI educational materials, earns PADI Instructors respect from both students and peers. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors may conduct a broad range of PADI programs from Discover Scuba to Divemaster.

What do I need to start?

  • PADI Assistant Instructor certification or be an instructor in good standing with another training organization for at least six months ( check with a PADI Course Director or PADI Office for qualifying credentials.)
  • Hold a dive certification for at least six months
  • Have 60 logged dives that include night, deep and navigation dives
  • Proof of CPR training within the last 24 months
  • Medical clearance signed by a physician

What will I do?

  • Knowledge development through self-study, quizzes, lectures and presentations
  • Confined water skill review and assessment, workshops and presentations
  • Open water workshops, rescue assessment and candidate presentations
  • Have at least 100 logged dives prior to entering a PADI Instructor Exam

How long will it take?

  • Times can vary from four days to three weeks or more

What materials are needed?*

  • PADI Instructor Manual
  • Instructor Candidate Workbook
  • Open Water Lesson Planning Slate
  • Confined Water Lesson Preparation Slate
  • Open Water Aquatic Cue Cards
  • Confined Water Aquatic Cue Cards
  • The Law and the Diving Professional
  • The Business of Diving
  • The Best of The Undersea Journal
  • Log Book
  • Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Instructor Outline
  • Project AWARE Specialty Program Instructor Outline
  • Aware Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Instructor Outline
  • Open Water Diver Manual
  • Recreational Dive Planner, The Wheel and table, and Instructions for Use Booklets
  • Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exam booklet
  • Adventures in Diving Manual
  • Rescue Diver Manual
  • Rescue Diver Final Exams Booklet
  • Divemaster Manual
  • Divemaster Final Exams Booklet

*These are the same materials used in the PADI Assistant Instructor course.