• No minimum enrollment! We don't cancel IDCs due to low enrollment!
• Recreational diving's most comprehensive Instructor Courses.
• Small classes ensure individual attention.
• Convenient weekend and week-long schedules.
• Private IDCs available. You set the schedule.
• Offshore IDCs available.
• All in-water training sites are within 6 miles of our facility.
• Full-time PADI Course Director.
• Instructor-level continuing education available.
• Pre-IDC dives to get you comfortable.
• Pre-IDC and IE counseling sessions- no surprises during your IDC.
• IDC Preparatory Course available- Be ready for the exams.
• Only State approved scuba vocational training facility in Wisconsin.
• We have been a leader in diver education for over 22 years.
• Large selection of rental and training equipment.
• Courses recommended for college credit.

Read what past Instructor Candidates have said about us here.

About the PADI Instructor Development Course

PADI Instructor Development Courses (IDCs) prepare candidates to function as PADI Assistant Instructors and Open Water Scuba Instructors. Candidates build on their instructor-level dive theory knowledge, role-model watermanship and rescue skills, and leadership abilities by learning how to teach in confined water, in the classroom and in open water. During the IDC, instructor candidates gain a complete understanding of PADI's educational goals and philosophies.

Training options:

• PADI Divemasters may attend the AI course.
• PADI Divemasters may attend all IDC components and the IE.
• PADI Assistant Instructors may attend the OWSI program and IE.
• Scuba instructors or dive supervisors affiliated with other training organizations may attend an IDC and IE.
• Scuba instructors affiliated with other training organizations may attend an OWSI program and IE.

Training Topics

Beginning with online independent study through PADI eLearning or live-delivery segments, the IDC can be separated into an Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program. Depending on the need or interest, training can be planned with breaks to gain more experience, or can be continuous all the way to instructor certification.

eLearning Topics

• Learning, Instruction and the PADI System
• General Standards and Procedures Part 1
• Risk Management Part1
• Marketing Diving
• Start Diving
• Teaching PADI Specialty Courses
• Business of Diving
• Keep Diving
• How to Teach the RDP

In-class Topics

• Course Orientation
• Developing Knowledge Development Presentations
• Teaching in Confined Water
• Conducting Open Water Dives
• General Standards and Procedures & Professional Membership Part 2
• Open Water Diver Course
• Adventures in Diving Program
• Rescue Diver Course
• Divemaster Course
• Risk Management Part 2

Course Prerequisites

1. Dive Leader certification - PADI Divemaster or leadership-level certification with a recognized recreational diver training organization who is either:
a. an instructor member in good standing, or
b. a diver with proof of certification in diver supervision and management including proof of rescue diving certification; 60 logged dives; documented experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation.
2. 18 years old
3. Medical clearance attesting to dive fitness signed by a physician within the previous 12 months.
4. Certified diver for six months.
5. EFR Primary and Secondary Care course completion (or qualifying training) within the last 24 months.
6. If not a PADI Divemaster, complete the PADI Divemaster course diver rescue skills assessment.
7. Submit documentation of qualifying certifications for entry level, advanced, rescue and leadership level, as necessary.
8. To be certified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, the candidate must also be certified as an Emergency First Response Instructor, plus show proof of 100 logged dvies

2010 Course Fees
Complete Instructor Development Course (5 days): $895.00 (assuming eLearning completed)
Complete Instructor Development Course live-delivery option (7 days): $1399.00
AI Course alone: $395.00 (assuming online work completed)
OWSI Course alone: $595.00 (assuming online work completed)
AI Course alone: $595.00 (assuming online work NOT completed)
OWSI Course alone: $795.00 (assuming online NOT completed)

These course fees do not include books, materials, PADI application or exam costs, any dive site entrance fees.

For more information, or to enroll in our PADI Instructor Development Course or Instructor Specialty Courses, contact Colin Zylka our PADI Course Director.