IDC in the Romp

Disclaimer: In no way does my own experience with the PADI Organization fully represent the PADI Organization. I give my full endoursment for individuals to experience scuba diving with any diving organization/dive shop that trains, remediates, and books diving trips throughout the world by keeping up with the highest of standards. A few days after I fell off Mt. Beerwah, and still nursing the parts of my body I instinctively used as brake pads to slow my fall, my instructor level dive course (IDC) was starting. Time to see wear the rubber meets the road and figure out how the bloody f was I going to get to the other side of the city with no car.

I was living with an Aussie family near Enoggra but was on the opposite side of the city to wear BDA was located in Wynnum area. Public transit is not something I grew up having to use. But this was day one of school and I can’t be late. I made a list and checked it twice… I have my lunch packed, pens and paper, and my mac already for some scuba learning. Now, if only my pain from my wounds after the free climbing fall, I took a mere 3-days prior would stop. Going to class with a seeping butt wound and on pain killers is not exactly the first impression I wanted to make. Typically, the structure of the PADI IDC (instructor development course) happens within a year or so of taking the Divemaster course. Thus, you follow a higher and higher tier of training built upon what you just learned and already familiar. Right after this week of IDC you go straight to the Instructor Evaluation tests.

And there you will be judged (insert Nelson from the Simpsons laugh) on your skill as a potential PADI Instructor. “Ha Ha” This course is less on refresh learning and much more on how to teach what you should already know. The adage of, “if you don’t use it, you lose it” was becoming all too real for me. By day 2 I was overwhelmed on what I couldn’t remember with all the dive theory – let alone all the added from a different organization. We took a 100-question test, and I did about as good on that test as I did on the Mt. Beerwah’s free climbing hike adventure.

The next test, administered same day, was open book and covered basically a lot administration and standards of PADI teaching methods. I did pass that one. The rest of the week was dedicated to us the students (all two of us) demonstrating dive briefings, correction of test questions, Emergency first responder course, and demonstration of water skills. All straight forward IF you started with the PADI system. I was literally learning it all at once. I felt like Johnny Knoxville when he decided to test out a jock strap and cup… It did not end well for Johnny folks... It was about the same for me and the IDC. What was beginning to echo in my mind was the email I sent Mick 8 months prior… “What do I need to do so I can be successful with your course?” Folks, to this day he has never answered that question… What he did tell me about day 3 or 4 into the IDC was, “Oh yeah, mate if you’re going to teach you need about ~$300 more of material”. He was referencing to all the prior courses that one usually takes within the PADI system like the Open Water and Advanced Open Water Course. I need this material so I can explain to students any corrections from test questions… Also, to reference my briefings for the Instructor Evaluation the following week. Apparently, there were no manuals/books with this material because it was all done online now. I did order the material. But gotta say folks this guy doesn’t seem to really think a few steps ahead. A different culture requires respect and to roll with the punches. Because they kept on coming to me down under. The last part of that week was demonstration of water skills. Donned my 3mm shorty over my wounds and splashed in the saltwater pool to get some skills done. We had to demonstrate all 25 of them. The training I received was different, I legitimately didn’t know the specific steps PADI wanted from me. I felt so bad for my fellow IDC student because he had to deal with a shit diver – me.

I absolutely need major help. Through conversation(s) with Mick and the Master Dive Instructor that scored our skills I was placed at somewhat ease (it was a gut check of a day) knowing that I could spend the next couple of months going on student dives to better myself for the next IE. It was October, and I had till December to not scrape off the rust on all fronts because the next time I could take the IE in the Gold Coast was early December.

This means I needed a job to support myself. I needed to find work yesterday so I can stay for more than a few months. Which adds more stress and takes away time from re-learning all that I need to with PADI IDC. I have to the IE and finally have a chance to dive into my first scuba career-based job and stay in Aus.
~~~©Dustin J. Casey 2021~~~