What would you like from an IDC

[ScubaK@]

Right, big question here! We have just got our 5* IDC status (yay ) and are starting to put together our IDC schedules etc. What I want to know is what people looking to become instructors want as well as the IDC. At the moment we are thinking a free prep course, running over skills circuits etc, and a day or two going over all the DM dive theory. Is there anything else you feel that you wish had happened, or you would like when you do your IDC?

Thanks for all your help in advance, and I hope you guys don't mind the asking!

K@

[Simon TW]

Originally Posted by ScubaK@

Right, big question here! We have just got our 5* IDC status (yay ) and are starting to put together our IDC schedules etc. What I want to know is what people looking to become instructors want as well as the IDC. At the moment we are thinking a free prep course, running over skills circuits etc, and a day or two going over all the DM dive theory. Is there anything else you feel that you wish had happened, or you would like when you do your IDC?

Thanks for all your help in advance, and I hope you guys don't mind the asking!

K@

Free beer! well you did ask.

[Scuba1]

Candidates that want to learn



Michael

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by ScubaK@

Right, big question here! We have just got our 5* IDC status (yay ) and are starting to put together our IDC schedules etc. What I want to know is what people looking to become instructors want as well as the IDC. At the moment we are thinking a free prep course, running over skills circuits etc, and a day or two going over all the DM dive theory. Is there anything else you feel that you wish had happened, or you would like when you do your IDC?

Thanks for all your help in advance, and I hope you guys don't mind the asking!

K@

I don't really get the "free prep course", it doesn't happen here and pricing is very keen here. I would like to see a more aggressive approach, where someone is weak they should be told so, no buttering people up to keep them smiling. I see the IDC and the associated CD's sign-off as being far more important than the IE, frankly I thought my IE was a joke. When you have an IE with 40+ candidates there really isn't that much in water examination happening on a personal level, yes the classroom stuff happens but I feel the accepted standard is very low anyway (I had several years non-diving experience behind me).

Ian

[Jayne]

I think what would be very usefull (just my view) is a workshop or something about the HSE and how it applies and how to produce the paper work, risk assesments, project plans etc. (which their never that clear about) so you stay within the guidelines, protecting your students and yourself Understanding Health and Safety and all the other various legislation that applies to divers at work etc... is very important for an instructor and the HSE will bite your butt if your not playing their way

Cheers

Jayne

[ScubaK@]

Thanks for the input so far guys! Will definatley look at eh HSE option, free beer sounds good, so long as I get some too!

[Scuba1]

For some more serious advice.
You need to inform the candidates in spee about the structure of the course and what they have to know before they get there.This needs to be done well in advance, to give the candidates a chance to brush up on things they are not so confident about. I have seen DMs turning up at an IDC and they have never seen a " wheel". Remember, that they come out of all sorts of diving environment. Some have assisted on a lot of courses and know how to demonstrate skills well and others have worked as dive guides and are better at other things.
You will find, that they want to learn, but a lot just don't know what is expected of them. So if they have the chance to sit down at home and do the things they need to. It will make the IDC/IE a lot easier for them. Because you don't want to end up on an IDC teaching the wheel to one equipment to the next GSP to another and so forth.

Just my 2 cents

Michael

[Noel Johnson]

I'd like to have an instructor who didn't **** off whilst I was away on holiday, who renewed his IDC staff instructor credentials and consequently makes all the work I'd done count for something.

[Warren_L]

At our local shop we do an orientation night for anyone interested in considering the IDC. Just a couple of hours in the evening which provides an opportunity for those interested to ask questions. Of course, our CD was there. It really helped me when I went through it.