IDC Staff Instructor
Sharing their extensive knowledge and skill with new leaders, PADI Staff Instructors are expert level dive educators.
Just as scuba divers look up to divemasters, instructor candidates respect IDC Staff Instructors. As the name implies, the primary role of a Staff Instructor is to support professional diver training and development, bridging the gap between aspiring Open Water Scuba Instructors (OWSI) and Course Directors.
Completing the IDC Staff Instructor course not only provides you with in-depth knowledge of the world renowned PADI instructor development process or ‘IDC’ as its better known, but also the revered 2-day instructor examination or ‘IE’ that all candidates must then pass.
In short, Staff Instructor is considered an excellent career move for any seasoned Master Scuba Diver Trainer who wants to learn how to shape and prepare the next generation of PADI Professionals.
What Is An IDC Staff Instructor?
For any readers who are unfamiliar with the PADI system, the rank of Staff Instructor (IDCSI) is the 5th professional rating achievable, and it sits firmly between that of Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT), and Master Instructor (MI).
Unlike MSDT which is self-certifiable once an OWSI has earned 5 or more PADI Specialty Instructor ratings and certified at least 25 divers, the process of becoming an IDCSI is far more challenging and comprehensive.
IDCSI candidates are required to spend numerous gruelling days both in the classroom and confined water under the specialist guidance of a Course Director (CD), where once again, they must demonstrate that not only do they have what it takes to correctly deliver PADI programmes, but that they are able to inspire, motivate and prescriptively mentor future PADI pros.
Essentially once qualified, an IDC Staff Instructor, or simply Staff Instructor, is a Course Directors trusted assistant throughout an Instructor Development Course. This is the program that instructor candidates are required to complete when they wish to become either a PADI Assistant Instructor (AI), or full Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI).
Steve Learning How To Evaluate Instructor Candidates
Why Become a Staff Instructor?
Staff Instructors are widely respected as having both expert level knowledge and skill having proved themselves repeatedly throughout the extensive range of PADI programs and experiences, so for this reason, they are considered ideal mentors for aspiring instructors.
Unlike Open Water Scuba Instructors and Master Scuba Diver Trainers who can only certify up to the professional level of divemaster, Staff instructors are trained and authorised to provide a much greater depth of diver education, up to Assistant Instructor (AI).
For us here at SEPE Diving, being able to independently offer all PADI courses up to AI means that we can tailor any scuba package to suit your interest. We are fortunate to now have 3 IDC Staff Instructors amongst our ranks of professionals, so at the very least, you know when you come to us you're going to get the best quality training from our highly experienced team.
Course Director Tracy Timperly, Co-Owner of Academy Divers Limited.
A Big Thanks To Our Course Director
Despite our own valiant efforts and hard work, reaching the rating of IDC Staff Instructor would not have been possible without the valuable input of a highly experienced and well respected Course Director.
Thankfully for both Pete Walker and I, we were more than grateful to have been able to complete our Staff Course under the watchful eye of CD Tracy Timperly, co-owner of Academy Divers Limited.
Based in Sowerby Bridge near Halifax, Academy Divers have a well established history within the Yorkshire area, also offering an extensive range of PADI recreational, technical and professional level courses.
As one of a limited number of IDC centres in the UK with a resident Course Director, and undoubtedly the only one in West Yorkshire, there’s no better place to go for instructor training and development.
At SEPE Diving we like to recognise the support and kindness received from our dive friends and associates, especially during these challenging economic times. To this end, we are hugely grateful to Academy Divers and their team for their generosity, hospitality and dedication during our Staff course!
As industry friends and one of the top 40 PADI 5 star centres in the country, we firmly recommend Academy Divers for courses, trips and equipment.
Check Academy out here:
For servicing, air fills, compressors and general repairs, we recommend Academy Divers sister company C&R Testing.
Established for more than 20 years, C & R Testing are industry experts in:
Electrical installations and servicing
Compressor maintenance, installation, air purity testing
Cylinder testing and oxygen cleaning