This is the way PADI describes the Professional Instructor program in their homepage ! ! !

Worldwide, more people have learned to dive with the PADI System of diver education than with any other recreational scuba program. One reason for its popularity is PADI's use of the most modern instructional methods and materials, which allow students to learn quickly and effectively. The PADI System is student-centered, allowing divers to progress at their own pace. Because no one can learn everything about diving in one course, the system encourages divers to take continuing education programs that enhance participation, enjoyment and safety.

In 1985, PADI's Instructor Development Course (IDC) set the standard for instructor training. Today, updated prerequisites and skills training ensure that PADI Instructors continue to teach to a higher standard. During your instructor training program, you learn to manage and adapt the PADI System to meet your individual student needs. Comprehensive training combined with the support provided by the wide variety of professional PADI educational materials earns PADI Instructors respect from both students and peers.

As a certified PADI Divemaster or Assistant Instructor with at least six months of diving experience and 60 logged dives, you're ready to begin the training that earns the many benefits only afforded those divers who are PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors.

The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is the heart of the PADI Instructor training process. During the IDC, you'll apply your diving skills and knowledge to learning to teach the PADI System in the classroom, confined water (pool) and open water. All IDCs are conducted by PADI Course Directors, each a highly experienced instructor trainer who has met strict educational proficiency requirements.

The PADI IDC stresses development. As a result, you can relax while learning, knowing that mistakes are part of the process. Although there are performance requirements for successfully completing the course, there are no time limitations, so you may continue to progress under your Course Director's guidance. The goal is to create a low-stress environment in which you can learn to function as a PADI Instructor. This makes the IDC challenging, yet an enjoyable learning experience. The final evaluation of your knowledge and skills comes later during the PADI Instructor Examination (IE).

The standard curriculum for the PADI IDC may be completed in as few as seven days or over an extended period. Each element of the course is supported by the Instructor Candidate Workbook and other educational materials, including the latest PADI videos. Topics include: teaching the PADI Open Water Diver course; continuing education courses; Discover experiences; the Recreational Dive Planner; lesson planning and presentation; conducting confined and open water sessions, legal responsibility and risk management; and marketing your PADI courses, to name a few.

If you are already a diving educator from another recreational scuba certification organization, you can take advantage of dive industry demands by becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. The IOC program acknowledges that you're an experienced scuba instructor who only needs an orientation to the PADI System. This condensed course focuses on first analyzing and understanding the PADI System, and then adapting your instructional style to conduct PADI programs. The IOC may be completed in as little as three days, however, the length may vary depending on your needs.

During the IOC, you'll use the PADI Instructor Candidate Workbook for self-study and attend staff presentations. Under your Course Director's guidance, you'll practice applying the PADI System in classroom, confined water and open water teaching presentations. Your Course Director has only one goal, to help you become a successful PADI Instructor.

Following the IOC, you may choose to attend an Instructor Examination (IE). As the IOC is your opportunity to evaluate PADI, the IE is PADI's opportunity to become familiar with you. Through the IE process, every PADI Instructor worldwide undergoes identical, impartial evaluation, ensuring consistent quality.

After successfully completing the IOC and IE, you will be certified to teach the PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses. You may also conduct Discover Scuba, Scuba Review, Discover Scuba Diving, Discover Local Diving, Skin Diving and Snorkeling programs. Continuing Education - Endless opportunities for career success. Learning and growth don't stop once you become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. PADI's continuing education philosophy provides you the opportunity to continually expand the courses you may offer and your income potential.

Skill Assessments

• Watermanship - 732.5 meter/800-yard snorkel swim
• Open Water Rescue Examination - response, recovery, resuscitation, transport and equipment removal of a diver simulating unconsciousness.
• General Diving Skills Evaluation - an evaluation of general diving skills made by the staff during all confined and open water sessions
• Skill Evaluation Circuit - Candidates perform a circuit consisting of three skills from the PADI Open Water Course. Passing score is 3.0 or higher on each skill.

Knowledge

• Diving Theory - closed-book examinations with passing scores of 75% or higher on the following subjects:
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Equipment
  • General Skills and Environment
  • Recreational Dive Planner
  • Retest - only one allowed; two or more subjects failed or a failure on the retest results in noncertification.
• PADI Systems, Standard and Procedures - open-book exam; passing score 75% or higher, no retest allowed.

Teaching Ability - Candidates evaluated on sample teaching presentation.

Specific assignments are made during the program; candidates should arrive prepared to teachany portion of the PADI Open Water Diver Course. Passing score is 3.5 or higher. One retest allowed.

Assignments include:

• Academic - one teaching presentation
• Pool - one skill presentation
• Open Water - two skills presentations

Attitude and Professionalism - an assessment of the candidate's attitude and professionalism is made by the staff.

Areas of assessment include:

• Attitude - consistent with professionalism and the educational goals of PADI
• Professionalism
• Dress
• Conduct
• Interaction with staff and candidates