OPEN WATER SCUBA INSTRUCTOR
Ready to share your love of diving with others just starting out? Become a PADI Instructor. Take students from their first breaths underwater to open water dives they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. Your PADI Instructor Development Course will prepare you for a successful career ahead. Not only will you learn tried and true ways of teaching, but you’ll join the ranks of elite dive pros. In fact, PADI Instructors are the most sought-after dive pros in the world.
2025 IDC DATES:
January-February (Weekend Only): January 4-February 16 (IE March 1-2 in Key Largo)
March: March 5-14 (IE March 15-16)
April/May: April 30-May 9 (IE May 10-11)
June/July: June 25-July 4 (IE July 5-6)
August: August 20-29 (IE August 30-31)
October: October 15-24 (IE October 25-26)
December: December 10-19 (IE December 20-21)
Instructor Development Course (IDC)
Pura Vida Diver’s IDC is a 10-day program followed by a 2-day Instructor Exam (IE). Class sizes are kept small with around 3 people (and no more than 6). This allows for lots of practice and individual attention so you’re well-prepared and confident during your IE.
Our IDC is offered as a Career Program that bundles the cost of everything you need to become an instructor. This includes your Emergency First Response Instructor rating, the IDC itself, the IE, and all related fees. For a breakdown, look at the Dive Professional Level 2 Program on our Career Training Packages page.
What Will I Learn?
Your IDC will cover everything you need to know to pass the Instructor Exam. More than that, it will prepare you for a successful career in diving.
Before starting your IDC, you’ll learn what it means to be an instructor using PADI’s eLearning. Once the IDC begins, you’ll apply what you learned in the classroom, confined water, and open water. Our Course Directors will guide you through the process and strengthen your skills so you’re ready to go for your exam.
Your average day during the IDC runs from 8 AM to 6 PM with a break for lunch. Days are a combination of classroom sessions, pool sessions, and open water sessions.
During the course you’ll learn how to apply the PADI System of Education by presenting at least:
- 4 Confined Water Teaching Presentations
- 3 Knowledge Development Presentations
- 2 Open Water Teaching Presentations integrating 2 skills
Open Water Workshops Include:
- Discover Scuba Diving Workshop
- Adventure Dive Workshop
- Rescue Exercise Workshop
- Demonstrate competence at performing all 20 dive skills listed on the Skill Evaluation
- Perform at Face-down, nonstop swim for 800 metres/yards using a mask, snorkel and fins (no time requirements)
You’ll attend and participate in the following curriculum presentations:
- Course Orientation
- Developing Knowledge Development Presentations
- General Standards and Procedures
- Teaching in Confined Water
- Legal Responsibility and Risk Management
- Conducting Open Water Dives
- Open Water diver course
- Adventures in Diving Program
- Rescue Diver Course
- Divemaster Course
To prepare you for real-world teaching and the IE, you’ll need to demonstrate your knowledge of Dive Theory by passing a five part theory exam scoring 75% or better on each section,.
You’ll also take an open book Standards Exam.
PADI INSTRUCTOR EXAM (IE)
The PADI Instructor Exam or IE typically takes place over 2 days. The exam is conducted by a PADI Instructor Examiner, and the exam schedule can be found on our Course Calendar.
The IE is split into 4 components
- Written Exams
- Classroom Presentation
- Confined Water Teaching
- Open Water Teaching
Prerequisites
Age: Be at least 18+
Medical Clearance: PADI Diving Medical Form (PDF) signed by a doctor (MD or DO) stating fitness to dive and dated within the last 12 months.
Certified Diver Date: PADI Open Water Diver for at least six months (or equivalent certification).
Diving Certifications: Certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Rescue Diver, and PADI Divemaster (or PADI recognized equivalent).
Primary/Secondary Care Training: PADI EFR Primary and Secondary Care Training within the last 24 months (or PADI recognized equivalent).
Minimum Logged Dives: Proof of 100 logged dives and showing experience in Deep, Night, and Navigation.
Accident Insurance: Diving Accident Insurance (DAN is recommended)
