PADI Divemaster

The PADI Divemaster course is the first major step into the professional diving industry. It is designed for experienced divers who want to develop their leadership, diving and problem-solving skills and begin working as a professional diver.

As a Divemaster, you move beyond simply being an experienced recreational diver. You learn how to lead certified divers, assist instructors with training activities and take an active role in the day-to-day operation of a professional dive centre.

Your training combines knowledge development with practical application in the water. You will develop your understanding of dive theory, equipment, dive planning, risk management and the PADI system, while also building the practical skills needed to supervise and guide divers.

At Philippine Dive Academy, we believe Divemaster training should be about more than simply completing the required skills. Training within a working dive operation gives you the opportunity to develop confidence, gain practical experience and understand what it is actually like to work as part of a professional dive team.

What You’ll Develop

• Leadership and supervision
• Dive planning and organisation
• Guiding certified divers
• Assisting instructors with training
• Professional-level diving skills
• Dive briefings and environmental awareness
• Risk management and emergency procedures
• Equipment, dive theory and professional operations

Your Next Step

For divers who want to build a career in the diving industry, the Divemaster qualification provides the foundation for further professional development. From here, you can gain experience as a working Divemaster, develop specialist skills or progress towards instructor training.

If your goal is to teach scuba diving and take responsibility for training new divers, the next step is the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC).

Become a PADI Instructor

Becoming a PADI Instructor is the next step for Divemasters who want to develop a career teaching scuba diving. It is a significant progression from leading certified divers to taking responsibility for training and certifying new divers.

The pathway to becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor begins with the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). The IDC combines the Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program, developing the teaching skills, knowledge and professional confidence required to become an instructor.

As an instructor, you move from supporting and guiding divers to teaching, evaluating and developing new divers. You’ll learn how to deliver classroom presentations, conduct confined- and open-water training, demonstrate skills, manage student safety and apply PADI standards and procedures.

What is an IDC?

The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is the training programme that prepares dive professionals to become PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors.

The IDC combines the Assistant Instructor course with the Open Water Scuba Instructor program. During the course, you’ll learn how to teach PADI programmes effectively, develop classroom presentations, conduct confined- and open-water training, evaluate student performance, manage risk and apply PADI standards and procedures.

The IDC is not simply about learning how to pass an examination. It is about learning how to teach. You’ll practise presentations, teaching techniques and in-water skills while receiving feedback from your Course Director and developing the confidence required to work with real students.

The exact schedule varies between IDC centres. When prerequisites are already met, PADI notes that instructor training can be completed in roughly 10–14 days, although some programmes use different schedules or spread training over a longer period.

From IDC to IE

Completing the IDC is the preparation for the next stage of your instructor journey: the PADI Instructor Examination (IE).

During the IDC, you develop your knowledge, teaching ability and understanding of the PADI System through classroom presentations, confined-water and open-water teaching, skill demonstrations, student evaluation, risk management and practical teaching exercises.

Once you successfully complete the IDC components and meet the IE prerequisites, you can attend a PADI Instructor Examination. The IE is conducted by PADI Instructor Examiners and provides an independent assessment of your teaching ability, dive theory knowledge, practical skills, understanding of the PADI System and professional conduct.

The IE is normally conducted over two days. Successfully completing the IE earns you the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor rating, allowing you to begin teaching PADI courses within the scope of your instructor rating.

Who Can Start an IDC

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have been a certified diver for at least six months
• Hold a PADI Divemaster or qualifying leadership-level certification
• Have at least 60 logged dives to begin the IDC
• Have at least 100 logged dives before attending the IE
• Hold current CPR and First Aid / EFR training within the required period
• Meet PADI’s medical and professional eligibility requirements

Thinking about becoming an instructor? If you’re unsure whether you’re ready for an IDC, we can help you review your experience, qualifications and prerequisites and plan your pathway from Divemaster through to IDC and IE.

Continue Your Professional Development

Once you become a PADI Instructor, your professional development doesn’t have to stop. As you gain experience, you can continue expanding your teaching skills, develop additional instructor-level qualifications and progress towards roles within instructor development.

IDC Staff Instructor

The IDC Staff Instructor programme is designed for experienced PADI Instructors who want to become more involved in instructor development. It provides further training in the instructor-development process and prepares you to assist with IDC training and support the next generation of PADI professionals.

If you’re considering progressing into instructor development, talk to us about your experience and goals and we’ll help you understand the next steps.