Seems the season has arrived once again for those incredible dive-hard divers to brave the icy environment and extend their dive opportunities. 

As in the past, I am posting this information to ensure, first and foremost, safety when conducting your training dives and second, awareness of risk management where Standards are noted.  I know that information regarding changes is not always shared and communicated in a timely fashion.

Ensure you have your own copy of the PADI Ice Diver Specialty Instructor Guide in order to teach the course and make sure you are meeting all the requirements (as an assistant you should be able to confirm the information you are being given is correct).  Just to be sure - a number of changes were made in 2015, so your Instructor Guide should reflect the most current version.
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The following are just a few highlights (introduced in 2015) as well as some reminders of the specific ratios related to ice diving to be aware of when planning your course and, if you are the student, taking your course:

Prerequisites:

• Certified Assistant (Dive Master, Assistant Instructor, Instructor) – now needs to be a certified ice diver, with ice diving rescue experience (optional fourth dive recommended)
• Instructor – now needs to be a certified ice diver  (in the past the instructor could have done a direct entry application based on completion of dives without having taken a Specialty Ice Instructor Course.)
• Student divers must now be PADI Rescue Divers prior to Ice Dive Four.   Ice Dive Four adapts rescue diver skills to the ice diving environment.

Supervision:     

• Dive 1 changed from direct supervision by either the course instructor or certified assistant to direct supervision by the course instructor.
• Dives 2, 3 and 4 remain direct supervision by either the course instructor or certified assistant.
• Instructors are prompted to assess diver readiness for later dives and certified assistant readiness for direct supervision.   

Dives:
Safety diver roles have been changed:

• Safety divers must now be certified ice divers, preferably with rescue skills and with the Ice Dive Four recommended. Previously student divers could play this role, but this meant they may need to perform a rescue before they have learned the skills to do so.
• Safety divers must also now dive in pairs. Previously this was not a standard.
• Safety divers no longer need to have dive equipment on and ready to go in the water, which is a useful change in extremely cold surface conditions. They now need to have their kit ready to go and be able to respond immediately. This allows them to seek shelter and stay warm.
• New skill – Out of air ascent practiced in 3-6m/10-20ft, directly under the ice hole. Purpose is for divers to practice this during training due to slight differences in techniques and to experience the dexterity challenges of simple skills when cold. Practicing under the ice hole allows diver to ascent directly, just in case there is a free flow.

​Dives and Hours:

• The PADI Ice Diver course includes three required open water dives, and one optional dive. If all four dives are completed the course will be conducted over at least two days. If three dives are planned on one day, in addition to meeting General Standards and Procedures for Open Water Dives, ensure dives are planned within the following parameters:
  
• If student divers have participated in confined water training that day, they may complete no more than two open water dives.
  
• The maximum depth for the third dive is 12 metres/40 feet.
  
• Completing three dives in one day is at the discretion of both the student diver and instructor. Take into consideration all factors before planning a third dive for the day including:
  
  • Task loading of student divers
    
  • Diver stamina, ability and comfort
    
  • A minimum surface interval of one hour between each dive, with adequate time to rest and prepare for the next dive
    
  • Adequate student diver rewarming between and after dives.
    
  • Diver interest, willingness and motivation to participate
    
  • Adherence to safe diving practices
    
    • Residual nitrogen
      
    • Environmental conditions
      

The minimum number of recommended hours is 24.

I hope you find this information of interest and assistance.  If I can assist further, please don't hesitate to contact me.  Dive Safe and stay Warm!

With my local waters opening (Calgary, Alberta) I have had a number of conversations with divers who are interested in earning their PADI Instructor rating.  The questions have a similar background, basically, they have centered around whether they will get an Instructor’s job at a facility when they are done, is it worth the expense, what is included in the cost and ‘how much does the course cost’?

As much as I strive to remain unbiased (I am a Course Director, so there may be some thought that my answers promote me) I have to admit, I have worked with several Course Directors and have seen programs that meet the criteria required (there is a basic Standard), and others that exceed the basic and include additional value. 

So, I have gathered some information from colleagues to give a more rounded answer to some of the frequently asked questions, while ensuring that the content is inclusive of my local environment. 

I have first-hand knowledge and experience to support the information provided and hope it helps with your decision making.

Is there a job guarantee for students?

It is virtually impossible for anyone to guarantee a job as this depends on many factors. Providing a guarantee would be providing false expectations for students.  It is preferable to be completely honest and transparent. The Course Director should work with instructors to make an interesting CV so they can get a job in the destination of their choice. This does not mean you will not find a job in the location you take your course. Eventually jobs open for new instructors and a preference may be made for instructors who were trained on site. Working with a Course Director or facility that has a positive working relationship with diving centers in the area may result in other centers hiring that Course Director’s instructors. Similarly, a Course Director that has working relationships with PADI centers worldwide can result in a recommendation and referral.

Is it possible to get a job after graduating as a PADI Instructor?

Clearly, this is possible locally or anywhere in the world. The Calgary area has four dive centers and instructors come and go.  However, in the Calgary area, it is important to know our dive season is possibly four months of the year (May to September) with maybe an addition of a month on either end due to ice/snow/winter run-off (Mother Nature’s decision).  This makes instructor positions as a full-time occupation unlikely.  Instructors who are willing to travel or relocate (even temporarily) have a higher chance of getting employment in tourist sites, although a valid work permit is often necessary.

PADI’s website under Pros sign-on also lists job offers worldwide. You likely can find opportunities that offer the lifestyle you’re looking for. Jobs do exist – you have to decide if the opportunities meet your personal requirements.

I think it's a big investment. Will I earn it back?

Investing in your career as a PADI Instructor includes skills that are transferable to other areas of your life and career.  It is a title that will accompany you throughout life.  Business and education require an initial investment but, if you do things well, you will benefit over-all. The cost of becoming an instructor is very little compared to any other careers or businesses.

From a local perspective – given the short dive season and the number of courses and competition – your investment becomes a question of desire.  What is motivating you to acquire this advancement?  What is the local pay-scale versus cost to you to provide the instruction to your students - what costs are covered by the facility you will work with?

Your instructor certification will accompany you no matter where your next destination is. Chances are, you will not make a living in the local dive environment of Calgary, however, on a worldwide scale, although you will not become a millionaire as a diving instructor, you can have a decent income and enjoy a lifestyle that, for many, would only be possible in their dreams.

Does it matter where I take my training to get a job?

The reality is that the PADI Instructor Development courses must have the same content and follow the same standards no matter where they are taught. This means that, in theory, instructors leave with the same preparation no matter where they have taken their course. Fortunately, with the large number of alternatives on the market for the PADI IDC there are some better proposals than others. To make the best choice you must consider factors such as commitment and company reputation, Course Director dedication and availability, and additional programs included to complement your IDC. It is highly recommended that you schedule an interview with the Course Directors you are considering so you can ask and receive answers to all your questions, and make a well informed decision. The ease with which you can schedule this meeting may be the first evaluation criteria in your final decision.

What to expect from my Course Director during and after my IDC?

The Course Director is the person who will be responsible for guiding you through the process to become a PADI Instructor. You will learn about teaching and education systems with them. You will receive valuable advice to develop your career as a professional diver and you can get information about the diving industry, specific details of the geographic region and more. 
There are diving center locations where the Course Director interacts only occasionally with their instructor candidates, leaving much in the hands of assistants. This can be due to workload, because the Course Director does not live in the area, or the position of Course Director is not their full-time occupation. There are assistants able to do a good job but constant interaction with the Course Director enriches the program. 
There are Course Directors who personally lead all professional courses (Assistant Instructor to Open Water Instructor which equals the IDC) and will accompany you throughout the process until you successfully complete your training. The relationship with your Course Director should not finish at the end of your IDC. You should find that even years after you finish your course you can go to your Course Director for clarification or advice in your career as a PADI Professional.

Do I have the opportunity to take continuing education at the instructor level with my Course Director?

It is important that your Course Director help you continue your professional training beyond PADI Instructor level. This will help extend the range of courses you can offer and help you become more attractive to diving centers when you are looking for a job. Your students will also benefit by being able to take all their courses with you without searching elsewhere.

Locally, it is important to determine what courses are beneficial for you to teach on an on-going basis and those that provide for a well-rounded CV.  Choosing a Course Director who can prepare you for worldwide opportunities may require you to research other destinations. Or, confirming your Course Director can work with you in other locations.  Your Course Director should offer continuing education training in PADI Instructor specialties.  However, also consider what additional training they offer to ensure you are best suited for employment opportunities elsewhere.  For example:  Sidemount, technical diving with PADI’s Tec Rec Diving, DAN Instructor courses, and cave diving training. There are a number of excellent IDC courses that ensure candidates benefit by receiving exclusive prices on any continuing education program taken with them and go beyond the basics of a standard IDC program.

Why is there a large difference in the prices of professional programs in different destinations and dive centers?

The answer to this question has to do with several factors. There are a variety of strategies in posting prices. You need to understand what is included and how it is being charged so you can compare properly. An example of this is that there are options that show prices not including materials or PADI applications fees. It’s just a way to display information to manipulate consumer perception. To do a proper analysis it is necessary to compare the same product. This is not always possible because not all packages available include the same things. The important thing here is that you understand what the program is offering you and compare the programs in their entirety so you can have a clearer idea of what you’re paying and the benefits you are getting. Furthermore, there is an added value to the services. Some options present information so that they boast offered goods or services “free”. In reality there is nothing free. There is no such thing as free housing or unlimited diving. This is all a pricing strategy and in reality the costs are included in the final price or, somehow, subsequently covered. There are proposals that may have lower operating costs allowing them to give a better price. In unfortunate cases, some dive centers sacrifice quality in order to “improve” a price regardless of student satisfaction.

Look for value of service over price – quality of training - and you will most likely end up more satisfied and in a win situation.  .

 

I hope I have provided some food for thought, and please, contact me if you have any questions.  I do travel to other destinations to complete IDC courses and I do have excellent colleagues that I am in regular contact with who I can refer you to and who are able to assist in your education,above and beyond.

Safe diving, and best wishes for your success in your future education.


Check out my Go Pro Site for information on my local IDC Courses as well as options for Go Pro in Mexico. 

Lana Taylor
PADI Course Director

If you build it they will come - well sort of - if the 'they' is divers that would be the positive outcome!  And so - about fifteen years ago Undersea Adventures started bringing divers - a select group - to a Titan 1 Missile Silo located in Washington.  The Silo was installed in a known dried up river bed.  Apparently military management were unwilling to take heed of the advice of Engineers and determined a known riverbed posed no issue with underground water!  While the Silo was in commission, pumps kept the underground environment dry.  When the site was decommissioned - voila!  Dive Site!   Thank you Dave Bruns for a fantastic weekend.   Thank you to Darryl Jensen for thinking up such a great dive trip and hopefully we will get to see some of your quality videos soon.  In the interim - my iPhotos will have to do!  These are some shots from the entrance to our dive site access for Silos 2 and 3 as well as the surface (underground) tour of the powerhouse and personnel accommodations.  Pretty neat experience.  And Now - we are certified Missile Silo Divers!