IDC Survival Guide: Laugh, Cry, and Try Not to Drop Your Clipboard
Welcome to the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) — a wild mix of nerves, excitement, and more laminated cue cards than you thought possible. Becoming a dive instructor is a huge step, and yes, it comes with challenges. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you laugh your way through it.
Here’s your unofficial, slightly sarcastic, but very real IDC survival guide.
1. Learn to Love the Clipboard
Your clipboard is now your third hand. It will carry your evaluation forms, lesson plans, cue cards, and probably a secret snack or two. Guard it with your life. If you drop it mid-pool presentation? You’ll hear the splash of shame for the rest of the day.
2. Perfection is Not the Goal (But Planning Is)
You’ll mess up a demo. You’ll stumble through a briefing. And you’ll definitely forget at least one of the five key elements in confined water. That’s okay. The Course Director isn’t expecting a robot—they’re looking for someone who can teach safely and clearly.
So prep your lesson plans, understand your slates, and be ready to adapt. Bonus points if you can smile while doing it.
3. The Theory Review: Panic and Then Pass
Physics. Physiology. Dive tables. Gas laws. You might suddenly remember why you didn’t pursue engineering. Don’t worry—just study a little every day and lean on your fellow candidates. Group quizzes, mnemonics, and a lot of coffee will get you through.
Also, flashcards. So many flashcards.
4. Role-Plays Are Your New Reality Show
Teaching presentations are like live-action improv—underwater. One student might pretend to panic, another might act like they’re made of bricks. It’s weird at first, but these sessions are invaluable.
Embrace the awkward. Practice your voice, hand signals, and instructor “hands-off” style. And if your student actor is a fellow IDC candidate with the flair of a Broadway star, just roll with it.
5. It’s a Mental Game Too
The IDC can be intense. Long days, early mornings, and the looming Instructor Exam (IE) can wear you down. Keep a sense of humor. Laugh at your bloopers. Celebrate small wins. And remember: everyone around you is just as nervous.
Pro tip: Don’t skip meals. Hungry instructors-to-be are cranky instructors-to-be.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a dive instructor is about more than knowledge and demos—it’s about learning to lead, inspire, and teach with confidence. The IDC is tough, yes, but it’s also a bonding experience you’ll never forget.
You’ll laugh, you might cry, and you’ll definitely drop a clipboard. But at the end, when you get that certification, you’ll know it was all worth it.
Now, take a deep breath, prep your slates, and remember: you’ve got this.
