From dive instructor to Open Water Diver, PADI® sets the standard for cutting-edge diver education. The revised PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) builds on the strength of the existing curriculum while providing PADI Course Directors and IDC Staff Instructors with more in-person time and better tools to create competent and confident dive educators.

In the revised IDC, candidates develop their foundational knowledge using PADI eLearning® prior to the in-person part of the course. By reducing the time spent on lecture, Course Directors and IDC Staff Instructors can spend more time helping candidates learn how to think like an experienced instructor during personalized interactions in the new IDC workshops.

Read on to hear from Course Directors around the world who helped field trial the revised IDC, including their feedback on using PADI eLearning in remote areas. You can also read a short summary of the changes, or dig into detailed overview of the revised course in the 4th Quarter Training Bulletin (available on the PADI Pros’ Site under Training Essentials).

All-Digital IDC Crew-Pak includes IDC eLearning and an interactive Diving Knowledge Workbook

  • Candidates complete their IDC knowledge development online or offline using a computer or mobile device.
  • Course Directors can track candidate progress and view scores to ensure candidates stay on schedule.
  • The all-digital crewpak includes a new, interactive Diving Knowledge Workbook.
  • Candidates can access training materials on the go with the new PADI Training app designed for offline use.
  • IDC candidate, Course Director and IDC Staff Instructor materials are available in multiple languages including: Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Dutch, English, French, German, Japanese, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai. Additional languages will launch in 2020.

I have now run three “new’ IDCs in three different countries (UK, Egypt and Carriacou in the Caribbean) and the new syllabus has weathered the cultural and connectivity differences extremely well. The drastic reduction in (presentation) slides makes the course much more interactive and engaging. Most segments are now just a few questions to check they understood [what was covered in] eLearning, then straight into the workshops, with some really striking images on screen too making it feel fresh and up to date.
– Kerrie Eade, PADI Platinum Course Director Ocean Turtle Diving and ProDive UK  

I absolutely love the revised course! I must admit to being slightly skeptical about how effective the eLearning would be – mainly because previously very few of our candidates have chosen the eLearning option for IDC. It has not been a popular choice in our location and I had doubts about our internet connection. However, I was happy to be wrong on this! The eLearning was extremely effective at delivering content to the candidates. They took a lot in and classroom time was way more fun, effective and interactive.
– Holly Macleod, PADI Platinum Course Director Trawangan Dive, Indonesia

This new IDC has been a great experience for the candidates and myself. The classroom part of the course was more interesting and exciting compared to the last curriculum. The students had to talk a lot more, which was helpful for me to assess their readiness on becoming a PADI Instructor. I believe the revised course is a little more challenging for the candidates, but gives them a lot more tools to be successful in their diving career.
 – Nicolas Bergere (Nico), Platinum PADI Course Director, All 4 Diving, Phuket, Thailand

The Revised PADI IDC – Key Differences

  • Increased focus on interactivity including new workshops.
  • Candidates complete two additional rescue scenarios: 
    • Rescuing a panicked diver at the surface.
    • Removing an unresponsive diver from the water and administering emergency oxygen using a rescue breathing mask.
  • A new emphasis on perseverance – telling students they have not learned something yet positions mistakes as a positive part of the learning process.
  • Candidates learn how to use PADI Digital Products and online tools such as the PADI Online Processing Center (OLPC).
  • The minimum number of required days has increased by one day.

    • If candidates complete IDC eLearning, the minimum number of days is six.
    • If foundational curriculum is delivered by live presentation, the minimum number of days is eight.

Benefits of the Revised IDC for PADI Dive Centers and Resorts

  • Increased focus on classroom dynamics and adapting to student needs and abilities.
  • Course Directors and IDC Staff Instructors help new instructors learn how to think like an experienced instructor.
  • Candidates learn how to use PADI Digital Products and online systems such as the OLPC.
  • Greater scheduling flexibility to accommodate MSDT training – new instructors better-prepared to teach continuing education.

I was able to track my candidates’ progress and nag them to do their homework (!) well in advance of the course starting…The flexibility in the schedule has allowed me to fit in MSDT preparation into all my IDCs. The candidates emerge being able to teach (at least) five PADI Specialties – so they are instantly more marketable.
– Kerrie Eade (Ocean Turtle Diving and ProDive UK)  

Benefits of the Revised IDC for IDC and CDC Centers

  • New all-digital crew-pak enables IDC and CDC Centers to use on-demand inventory
  • IDC eLearning can be downloaded for offline viewing 
  • Available in 14 languages – with more on the way
  • Course Directors can track eLearning progress and scores to ensure candidates are prepared to start the in-person part of their course

Having the option to send the Digital eLearning Crew-Pak instantly to the candidates when they book is fantastic so they can start preparing for their IDC. This is a win-win situation for the dive shop as it will reduce cancellations, takes less storage space and it is much easier to order the materials. It is a win for the candidates because they can start their IDC instantly, even months before they start, by receiving the material as soon as they sign up.
 – Marcel van den Berg, PADI Platinum Course Director Sairee Cottage Diving Koh Tao, Thailand

Including IDC eLearning with the digital crew-pak puts everyone on an even playing field. In the past, those of us who had embraced eLearning had to charge our candidates extra for the product, but now it’s a requirement and I think a great leap forward. You can still sign people up last minute as (provided they have decent connectivity) they can do their eLearning as part of their homework each night before the relevant workshop the next day.
– Kerrie Eade (Ocean Turtle Diving and ProDive UK) 

Learn More or Prepare to Teach the Revised IDC

Review the 4th Quarter Training Bulletin for more information – click Training Essentials from the PADI Pros;’ Site main menu bar to navigate to the 4th Quarter Training Bulletin for a detailed overview of the revised IDC including:

  • A complete list of standard changes and updated products
  • A detailed explanation of curriculum enhancements
  • Revisions to PADI’s Guide to Teaching

CD and IDC Staff Instructor Updates – attend an in-person update before teaching the new course. All CDs and IDC Staff Instructors must complete their updates prior to December 2020.

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