What is involved?
There are a number of elements to the instructor programme which can be summarised as follows:
Assistant Instructor (AI) Course - This is a 4 day course that introduces you to the teaching techniques for skill and knowledge development. The course concentrates on duties and programmes AI's may conduct independently. Successfully completing this course earns you an AI certification and qualifies you to continue with the OWSI portion of the programme.
The OWSI program - This is a minimum of four days. It introduces you to the entire PADI System and focuses on further developing your abilities as a professional dive educator. PADI Assistant Instructors as well as instructors from other dive training organisations who want to become PADI Instructors must complete this portion of the programme. The AI course and OWSI programme both emphasise learning and development – not evaluation. This allows you to gain confidence and improve performance in a low-stress environment. Successfully completing this programme qualifies you to attend a PADI Instructor Examination.
The PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course) is simply the AI course and the OWSI course run back to back!!
Instructor Examination (IE) To become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you must successfully complete an IE. The IE serves as an objective evaluation of your skills and knowledge. Although passing an IE is necessary to become an OWSI – it is not the primary focus of the IDC. The ability to pass the IE is a natural result of preparing to be an instructor. Don't dwell on the IE, but concentrate on the larger task of becoming a professional educator and competent dive leader. |
