PADI Pro, Pascal Cantaert, is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor from Belgium. Pascal became a PADI Instructor in October 2023 and taught Open Water Diver courses and a few continuing education courses after certification, but he did not immediately have the opportunity to teach a Rescue Diver or Divemaster course after his Instructor Development Course (IDC) and didn’t feel confident to deliver a high-level course when the opportunity presented itself earlier this year.
Learn how Pascal utilized the PADI EMEA Advanced Training Academy to boost his confidence, gain cutting edge knowledge of PADI systems and deliver a successful Divemaster course.
Q: What challenge did you face?
A: A lack of confidence in teaching upper-level courses.
As a new Instructor, I taught the Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver and some Specialty Diver courses in the first few years after being certified as an instructor in 2023. In early 2025, I was about to start training two Divemasters, and this caused me some stress about how and in what way I should do this. I had questions such as, “How do I start?” and “How can I have confidence in teaching a Divemaster course?”
Q: How did PADI help you solve your challenge?
A: PADI EMEA offers the Advanced Training Academy, which is available to all instructors – new, returning or experienced.
I heard about the PADI EMEA Advanced Training Academy delivered by PADI Course Director Peter Rombaut, which has four main topics: Making the Most of the PADI Pros’ Site; Conducting a Successful PADI Rescue Diver Course; Conducting a Successful Divemaster Course; and Risk Management and Best Practice.
This was the perfect opportunity for me to ask questions about what I could expect from my Divemaster candidates.
Working with a Course Director with many years of experience, who could share knowledge and experience on how to use all the reference materials available to us, gave me the confidence to teach my students. We learned about the importance of dry workshops and how these could be utilized for great discussions. We also learned how these dry workshops could help to reduce time wasted in water sessions, which ultimately helps to reduce the total cost of running a course.
The session on Risk Management was a good refresher. Safety should always be the priority. Instructors should always be thinking about the safety of their divers and checking on where their Divemaster candidate is in the water.
As Instructors, we tend to only use what we need on the Pros’ site. We know the simple things, but there is a lot more to discover!
Q: How did the Divemaster course go?
A: I had the confidence to teach a calm, safe and successful course.
My confidence increased after taking the PADI EMEA Advanced Training Academy, if only because of the excellent overview of the PADI Pros’ site, where instructors can find what we need and the correct reference materials.
Another important point is that the PADI EMEA Advanced Training Academy and the confidence I gained allowed me to convey a sense of calm to my candidates. It’s important for them to see that they are being taught by a confident instructor. I can say that this course has definitely made me a better instructor.
We ran the Divemaster course over about six months, and due to water conditions in Belgium, we always dived with a small group of a maximum of two students, always thinking of safety first.
Q: How do you feel after finishing the Divemaster course?
A: I have the confidence to keep teaching upper-level courses.
I now feel like an instructor with more confidence, ready to teach more Divemaster and Rescue Diver courses.
I am promoting these courses more and have two Rescue Diver candidates who are about to start their course with me. Thanks to this training program as well as the Instructor Manual and Guide to Teaching, I have a solid understanding of the structure for the Rescue Diver course.
We have a great swimming pool, with different levels and a maximum depth of 15 meters (49 feet), that we use for the Rescue Diver course. The students will be introduced to all the skills in the pool and will have the opportunity to practice them and discuss their questions. Then, they will complete one scenario before moving to open water to finish the course.
I am working towards earning the Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating and then attending an IDC Staff Instructor course before working towards Master Instructor. I want to always keep learning and being a better instructor.
Going forward, I have offered for my Divemasters to practice their skills with me every two to three months, for fun and for practice. This will help to keep their skills fresh and prepare them for their IDC, should they wish to go that route.
Q: What advice do you have for others in similar situations?
A: Sign up for the PADI EMEA Advanced Training Academy right away!
Certainly do it! The training academy helped me a lot with finding things on the PADI Pros’ site, and now I can teach my students with more confidence. It’s good for your students if you know what you’re talking about! The program was beneficial to me.
