How to prepare for your IDC
Reduce your stress with proper IDC Preparation
Dedicate time to your IDC Prep, and you’ll definitely have a solid foundation before the official course begins. Most importantly, you need to focus on:
- Learn the necessary Dive Theory
- Practise Demonstration Quality Skills
- Complete PADI IDC eLearning
The IDC schedule DOES NOT include teaching Dive Theory or Demonstration Quality Skills from scratch.
You are expected to have a good grasp of both when you arrive.
Do you want to be a good instructor or a great instructor?
Benefit from our FREE IDC Prep Programme.
- Practice Theory Exams
- Prescriptive theory revision
- Practice Standards Exams
- Practice Skill circuits
- Access to EFR/PADI videos
- Access to PADI library
- Extra time to complete knowledge reviews
- Help with eLearning homework
ARRIVE TO DAHAB WITH TIME
We strongly advise you arrive in Dahab at least 5 days before the IDC/EFRI starts so you can settle in. The more time you give the IDC DIVE team to help you polish your skills and knowledge, the better instructor you will be.
On the other hand, candidates who arrive just a few days before the IDC with only a basic grasp of theory and rusty demonstration quality skills will find themselves waking up early and studying till very late.
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MORE IDC ASSESSMENTS
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MORE WORKSHOPS
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MORE EXTRAS
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MAXIMUM VALUE
1. Dive Theory
We recommend that you start studying Dive Theory at least two weeks before arriving in Dahab.
Dive Theory is divided into five sections:
Here are some good options to guide your study:
CREW PACK
Work through the Diving Knowledge Workbook eLearning (included in your IDC digital Crew Pack).
Contact us to get your crew pack.
PADI'S DIVE THEORY
Complete PADI’s Dive Theory Online. Buy direct from PADI or contact us to get a DISCOUNT
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA
Use the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving. Look below to find our recommendations on what sections to review for instructor level dive theory
OUR STUDY GUIDE
Check out our FREE Dive Theory Study Guides published on this website.
2. Dive Skills
The skills you will be marked on during the first day of the IDC are listed in the Instructor Manual > DM section > Dive Skills.
- Equipment assembly, adjustment, preparation, donning and disassembly
- Predive safety check (BWRAF)
- Deep-water entry
- Buoyancy check at surface
- Snorkel-regulator/regulator-snorkel exchange
- Five-point descent, using buoyancy control to stop descent without contacting the bottom
- Regulator recovery and clearing*
- Mask removal, replacement and clearing*
- Air depletion exercise and alternate air source use (stationary)
- Alternate air source-assisted ascent
- Free flowing regulator breathing
- Neutral buoyancy, rise and fall – using low pressure inflation
- Five-point ascent
- Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent
- Orally inflate BCD to hover for at least 60 seconds
- Underwater swim without a mask
- Remove and replace weight system underwater
- Remove and replace scuba unit underwater
- Remove and replace scuba unit on the surface
- Remove and replace weight system on the surface
- Head-first surface dive, snorkel out of mouth.
- Disconnect low-pressure inflator
- Re-secure a loose cylinder band
- Perform an emergency weight drop
3. IDC eLearning
Complete all 16 IDC e-Learning segments. These are mandatory and must be completed before attending each IDC workshop.
Save yourself over 20 hours of study during an already busy course. Contact us to get your Crew Pack and get started today!
IDC e-learning covers:
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PADI standards
What they are, how to find them, stay informed, interpret, and follow them.
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Risk management
Understanding PADI instructor expectations, duty of care, professional judgment, and application.
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PADI core courses & programs
Familiarise with the instructor’s perspective on the courses.
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Dive industry business & marketing
Promote yourself as an instructor using PADI materials to market and sell diving.
Additional Preparation
Log on the PADI Pro site
If you don’t have a PADI number (your DM number), please contact us.
Download PADI instructor manual
Download the most up-to-date
PADI Instructor Manual. PADI Pros > Training Essentials > Digital Instructor Manual.
And familiarise yourself with the layout.
PADI training bulletins
Look at a couple of the most recent Training Bulletins
Log on to PADI Pros > Training Essentials > Training Bulletins.
Log on to PADI Pros > Training Essentials > Training Bulletins.
PADI App
Download the PADI App
Learn some knots
Learn some knots
Check out the PADI App > Tools – for instructions.
Specially:
Check out the PADI App > Tools – for instructions.
Specially:
- Sheet-bend
- Bowline
- Round Turn
- Two Half Hitches
How to study
Buy Dive Theory Online and work your way through it.
Use the Diving Knowledge Workbook eLearning included in your crew pack.
Pay attention to the answers you got wrong. Now you know the gaps in your Knowledge.
Pay attention to the answers you got wrong. Now you know the gaps in your Knowledge.
Use the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving and the explanations
If you pass my IDC, I’ve made the decision that you are ready to teach students. PADI just wants to check they agree. That’s why I see the IE as a test of my judgement and training rather than an examination of my instructor candidates
Start from scratch
If you feel you need to start from scratch, concentrate on these areas of PADI’s Encyclopedia of Diving.
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Chapter 1 – The Underwater Adventure
The history section is of interest but not necessary for theory exams.
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Chapter 2 – The Ocean Planet
Relates to – Skill & The Environment Section Necessary reading: Currents, waves and tides Other topics in Skill & The Environment Section, can be found in the Adventures in Diving & Rescue Manuals
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Chapter 3 – Dive Equipment:
Cylinders / tank valves / Regulators / AASs / SPGs & instrumentation SCR & CCRs
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Chapter 4 – Diving in the Material World (Physics)
This chapter covers a lot of interesting and basic knowledge that instructors should understand. Areas of focus are: Water & Heat; Charles’ Law – rough formula 1 degree Celsius = 0.6 bar Heat Transmission; Water & Light; Water & Sound Buoyancy (Archimedes’ Law)/ Pressure (Boyle’s Law) /Heat (Charles’ Law); DCS (Henry’s law) & Gases (Dalton’s Law) – Basically the whole chapter!
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Chapter 5 – The Diver Within (Physiology & Some Decompression Theory)
Once again, some great basic knowledge here. Areas for focus are: Blood & Heart / general body systems / Responses to Breathing with Equipment / Circulatory & Respiratory Problems / Oxygen Exposure / Responses to Thermal Changes / Pressure Changes on Air Spaces Decompression Physiology (Decompression Theory Session) A large section but I suggest you read it all.
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Divemaster Manual’s p 41-79
You can also use the Divemaster Manual’s section on this subject as a more condensed version for study 41-79.
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eRDPml
You also need to be familiar with the eRDPml and the RDP. Use the Instructors for Use.
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IDC DIVE Revision Guides
Once you have learnt the necessary theory – Use our FREE Revision guides