PADI GoPro Courses

The Phuket PADI Pro courses are described below. It is best to take all courses concurrently as the candidate will be more likely to be successful during in the IE. If taken together, the IDC is a total of nine-days and followed by the IE which takes two-days.

The next two tabs describe what happens in the Instructor Examination (IE) and then suggests courses to further your studies after you qualify at an open water scuba instructor.

The PADI Divemaster Course

Once certified as a PADI Divemaster you are qualified to:

  • Assist PADI Instructor in conducting PADI programs
  • Supervise participants in PADI experience programs
  • Generally supervise both training and non-training related diving activities
  • Teach and certify Skin Divers
  • Conduct PADI Scuba Review for certified divers
  • Enroll in PADI Assistant Instructor or the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)
  • Prerequisites:

    • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver / Rescue Diver Certificate, or equivalent rating.
    • Duration: approx 2 weeks to 2 months
    • Minimum Dives Required: 40 logged with deep & navigation diving experience.
    • Medical Clearance: Signed by a license physician within 12 months.
    • Minimum Age: 18 years

    Basic Divemaster Course

    The basic PADI Divemaster course consists off a full Divemaster Course, including water skills & stamina, practical application, and knowledge development. This is the first track on becoming a Dive Professional.

    • Full Instruction
    • Unlimited Shore Dives
    • Full PADI library access: Videos, DVD�s, & non-pro manuals.
    • Prices and Course Length

      The basic PADI Divemaster course consists off a full Divemaster Course, including water skills & stamina, practical application, and knowledge development. This is the first track on becoming a Dive Professional.

      • Duration: 2 weeks � 2 month
      • Price: THB 35,000
      • PADI Fees: AUS$ 178

      Comprehensive Divemaster Course

      From our experience, we have had many PADI Divemaster�s go on to become PADI Instructors. To assist you in shaping your ability, knowledge, skills, and confidence towards becoming a Dive Professional, we have added some additional benefits into our PADI Divemaster comprehensive program as listed below.

    • Full Instruction
    • Unlimited Shore Dives
    • Full PADI library access: Videos, DVD�s, & non-pro manuals.
    • Nitrox Diver Course
    • DSAT Gas blender Course/li>
    • Deep Diver Specialty Course
    • Under Water Navigator Specialt Course
    • PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Course
    • 20% discount to all materials & equipment purchased through our Dive Center!
    • Please note: you may select from other specialties to, for example: wreck, night, naturalist, multi-level, videography or photography.

      Prices and Course Length

      • Duration: Approx. 3 weeks � 2 months
      • Price: THB 58,000
      • PADI Fees: AUS$ 178

The PADI Instructor training process is divided into three parts:

  • Assistant Instructor (AI)
  • Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
  • AI + OWSI = IDC
  • Instructor Examination (IE)

PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)

The PADI IDC program is your final step in the quest to become a PADI Instructor. The IDC is simply a combination of the AI and the OWSI (described below). Normally these two courses are taken at the same time. During the IDC, You'll learn to use and adapt the PADI system of diver education to individual student needs. Comprehensive training, supported by a wide variety of PADI educational materials, earns PADI Instructors respect from both students and peers.

PADI Assistant Instructor Course (AI)

For more information on how to obtain this rating only, please email to Bent. This course normally is conducted over the first four days of the IDC.

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Course (OWSI)

The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor program is your final step in the quest to become a PADI Instructor. During the IDC, You'll learn to use and adapt the PADI System of diver education to individual student needs. Comprehensive training, supported by a wide variety of PADI educational materials, earns PADI Instructors respect from both students and peers.

What can PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors do?

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors may conduct a broad range of PADI programs from Discover Scuba to Divemaster. The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor rating sets you apart from the crowd. PADI Instructors may conduct the entire range of PADI programs - from Discover Scuba through Divemaster. PADI Instructors do things others can only daydream about. If you want to live an extraordinary life and get a good job, you're in the right place.

What do I need to start?

PADI Assistant Instructor certification or be an instructor in good standing with another training organization for at least six months (check with Bent for qualifying credentials.)

  • Hold a dive certification for at least six months
  • Have 60 logged dives that include night, deep and navigation dives
  • Proof of CPR training within the last 24 months
  • Medical clearance signed by a physician

What will I do?

  • Knowledge development through self-study, quizzes, lectures and presentations
  • Confined water skill review and assessment, workshops and presentations
  • Open water workshops, rescue assessment and candidate presentations
  • Have at least 100 logged dives prior to entering a PADI Instructor Exam

How long will it take?

Five days, just after the AI portion of the IDC course.

The PADI Instructor Exam

After completion of the IDC or OWSI courses, you are qualified to attend the PADI IE. This exam is conducted by PADI staff and takes place over two days, usually a weekend here in Phuket. We always have an IE scheduled directly after our full IDC courses, conducted 12 times per year by PADI Course Director Bent Posejpal. After successful completion of the PADI IE, you will become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and qualified to certify your own students in the working environment of your choosing.

The PADI Instructor Examination (IE) is conducted by staff members of PADI Asia Pacific, and not by your course director. This ensures impartiality and fairness during the testing process. Following your IDC, your immediate goal will be to pass the IE. During the last phase of your OWSI course, Bent will counsel you individually and give you his recommendation on whether or not you are ready to attend the IE. It is rare when he recommends a candidate does not attend an IE, but the counseling session is designed to help you make an informed and honest decision about your preparedness.

The Examiner's job is to pass the candidate, not to fail the future instructor. The Examiner will do everything possible to make sure that you get through the program successfully. Their function is similar to that of a video camera; they record what you do and give you a black and white score of your performance. Their job is not to teach the candidate anything as Bent has already taught you much more than what it takes to pass the exam. The exam is really just a formality. The Examiner's job is to double check that all of the information is understood and that the candidates are ready to begin teaching on their own.

The IE consists of four parts. To get certified as a PADI Instructor, candidates must be successful in all four areas. If a candidate is unsuccessful in one or two areas, then that candidate must attend another IE and complete only that area in which he was unsuccessful. For example, if a candidate was only unsuccessful in the Open Water portion of the exam, then he or she would only redo and pay for that part at a later IE. This saves you both time and money.

Part 1: Diving Theory, Open Book Exam

Closed-book examinations with passing scores of 75% or higher on the following subjects:

  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Equipment
  • General Skills and Environment
  • Recreational Dive Planner
  • PADI Systems, Standards and Procedures
  • Equipment
  • Passing score 75% or higher, no retest allowed.
  • Retest: Only one allowed; two or more subjects failed or a failure on the retest results in non certification

Part 2: Confined Water

  • Teach one skill from the Open Water or Rescue Course to fellow candidates acting as students.
  • Passing score is 3.5 or higher on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0.
  • One make up allowed if unsuccessful on the first attempt.
  • Skill Evaluation Circuit: Candidates perform a circuit consisting of five skills from the PADI Open Water Course.
  • Passing score is 17 total points and no skill below 3.0.
  • A make up allowed if only one skill was below 3.0

Part 3: Knowledge Development Presentation:

  • Candidates evaluated on a sample teaching presentation.
  • Specific assignments are made before the program.
  • Passing score is 3.5 or higher (on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0). One retest allowed.
  • Presentation should take between 5 - 10 minutes.

Part 4: Open Water

  • Teach two skills from the Open Water Course to fellow candidates acting as students.
  • Passing score is an average of 3.5 or higher on a scale from 1.0 - 5.0.
  • Both scores are added together and then divided by two. No retest.
  • Open Water Rescue Examination: Response, recovery, resuscitation, transport and equipment removal of a diver simulating unconsciousness on the surface in deep water.
  • General Diving Skills Evaluation: An evaluation of general diving skills made by the staff during all confined and open water sessions.

Areas of assessment include:

  • Attitude: Consistent with the educational goals of PADI
  • Professionalism
  • Dress
  • Conduct
  • Interaction with staff and candidates

Go Pro Continuing Education

PADI Emergency First Response Instructor Course (EFRI)

Emergency First Response Corporation, a PADI corporate affiliate, offers the Emergency First Response CPR and first aid program.

What can I do?

As an Emergency First Response Instructor, you can conduct Emergency First Response Primary (CPR) and Secondary Care (first aid) courses.

What do I need to start?

Emergency First Response and Care For Children certification or qualifying certification from another certification organization

What will I do?

You'll learn how to conduct the Emergency First Response Primary Care (CPR) and Emergency First Response Secondary Care (first aid) courses and Care For Children. You'll also learn to conduct the recommended Automated External Defibrillator (AED), emergency oxygen and conscious choking management skills.

How long will it take?

The Emergency First Response Instructor Course takes approximately eight hours.

PADI Oxygen Provider Instructor Course

PADI Oxygen Provider Instructor Course is an easy half day and will allow you teach the latest PADI program. Done after the EFRI program, before the IE.

Master Scuba Diver Trainer Prep Course (MSDTP)

Earning PADI specialty Instructor ratings allow you to teach a wide array of exciting courses in special interest areas. Besides giving you the chance to do your favorite type of diving, specialty diver courses allow you to share your interest and expertise with others. Many PADI Specialty courses are supported with videos and books that make them easier to teach and sell. Taking Specialty Instructor Training Courses with us provides you with practical experience for conducting these courses. The emphasize is on fun and in-water application. Each course takes a day, and we schedule them after the IE. Five specialties qualify you to apply as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer after you have achieved 25 certifications as a PADI Instructor.

IDC Staff Instructor

Similar to the partnership between AIs and Instructors, IDC Staff Instructors work with Course Directors as important team members in the instructor training process. As a Staff Instructor you may assist instructor development programs and instructor-level continuing education programs. You can also teach the PADI Assistant Instructor Course--a responsibility only you and a PADI Course Director share.

Our IDC Staff Course gives you time with the Course Director prior to an IDC, then you'll take part in a complete IDC program. Even if you don't have the goal of becoming a Course Director, the Staff Course will give you a real "vitamin injection" in your existing teaching techniques.

PADI Instructor Exam