Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 / Style Definitions / table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:0400; mso-fareast-language:0400; mso-bidi-language:0400;} IDC’s are great. They get the candidate prepared for the IE. Ideally, the candidate should come with a deep knowledge of Dive Master Conducted Programs (DSD, Snorkeling, and Skin Diving…) Supervising Certified Divers, Assisting with students Divers physics, physiology, equipment, diving Skill & the environment, and Decompression theory and the RDL. Everything that was in the DM course. The purpose of the IDC is not to refine these skills. It is to evaluate your knowledge at the time of the IDC. Knowing the 20 skill is also essential. Not being able to do them to a 5 level is okay, but being able do them is a must. What takes up the time, is the presentations. We start with micro teaching and go on to prescriptive. Micro is a way of teaching only done here in the IDC. But it preps the candidate to do the Prescriptive teaching. There are certain attributes the candidate MUST hit. It is a very strange way to teach at first. Once you start you realize that is a condensed version of how you will teach every class. You talk about the local environment, dive gear, continuing educations in every class. Maybe not as much as in the IDC and IE but you will do it. In the pool and open water, positive reinforcement is VERY important as is identifying the problems and correcting them. To a candidate it all seems very strange unless they have worked with an instructor. I have always set a standard that any DM candidate I have, once they become a DM can go straight to the IDC. Knowing that all they have to do is the presentations, and I make them talk a lot during their Internship. Instructors are failing their DMs and for that matter, their AI’s if they do not set them up for success.
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 / Style Definitions / table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:0400; mso-fareast-language:0400; mso-bidi-language:0400;} Anyone who wants to become and instructor, I have a few words of advice.
Teaching is not for everyone. Just because you love this sport does not mean you will be a good instructor. Find a mentor. Tell them from the start that going to the IDC and becoming an instructor is your goal. Just remember, not everyone likes competition. Get in the pool. Work on the 20 skills.