Welcome to our PADI GoPRO Training
Do you want to change your lifestyle? Do you want to escape from stress and routine of regular 9am to 5pm – office style work? Do you want to become a PADI Divemaster or a PADI Open Water SCUBA Instructor?
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS for considering PADI for your professional dive training. PADI is, in my opinion, by far the largest dive training agency in the world!
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We also want to THANK YOU for your interest in our PADI GoPRO Divemaster / Instructor Development Training Courses
The GoPRO Divemaster and/or IDC - Instructor Development Course is your gateway for building a successful career doing what we love: diving, travelling and meeting new cultures! Choosing learning environment is the first step.
It is normal having many questions before take the decision; please see below some common inquiries. I will be glad to assist you in any way I can, so please do feel free to contact me directly using gopro@leosaldunbidescd.com or by skype: saldunbides.
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# Accommodation Options during my GoPRO PACKAGE?
We can suggest you according to your needs and preferences. We do have many options and partnerships ranging from 5 stars Resorts to Hostels and private Apartment Rentals (starting from 15 U$ Dollars per day ).
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# How long will my GoPRO Divemaster or IDC take?
The Divemaster Course ITSELF only will take approximately 2 to 4 weeks (depending the package you choose).
The IDC / EFRI program takes approximately 14 days and it`s divided in 3 PARTS: PADI IDC eLearning, IDC ONLINE Presentations with the Course Director / IDC Staff via online platform like ZOOM or Google Meet) and PRACTICAL PART at your chosen destinations hwere we will go over practical DRY AND WET worshops, in water presentations and Final IDC EXAMS. It also includes 1 day practical training EFR Instructor course and a thorough review of your Open Water Course diving skills and online preparation to upgrade your Divemaster DIVE THEORY knowledge to the level required to pass the IE. This is different and a new training trend compared to other formal IDCs but ensures that the days are short and relaxed, giving you plenty of time to prepare your own presentations or go diving, go surfing/kite-surfing or just relax in our lovely beaches. After you have completed the IDC you will attend the PADI I.E, which is normally spread over 2 days.
# How big will my IDC class be?
We are always aiming at giving our candidates the best possible experience and that includes small groups of usually maximum 6 candidates per Course Director / IDC Staff Instructor, which ensures you get the personal service you are paying for.
# Can I take Specialty Instructor Training Courses after my IDC/IE?
YES, i strongly recommend it!!!
Being able to teach specialty courses gives you the chance to pursue your own interests and definitely makes you more employable. We offer wide range of specialties, including the 6 most popular Deep diver, Drift diver, Emergency Oxygen Provider, Enriched Air, Night diver and Wreck diver in our Platinum Package – MSDT Preparation.
The PADI Specialty Instructor Courses Sidemount diver and Diver Propulsion Vehicle diver have different prices and extra costs and are taught on demand afterwards.
Our Master SCUBA Diver Trainer Preparation Program is designed to be totally flexible and run alongside your OPTIONAL two to six week internship and includes the chance to earn your first student certifications. MSDT Preparation includes minimum 6 PADI Specialty Instructor Training Courses and their appropriate dives (choose from Deep diver, Drift diver, Emergency Oxygen Provider, Enriched Air diver , Night Diver, and Wreck diver).
You can apply to PADI to become a MSDT Instructor once you have attained 25 student certifications at any level. The main benefit to you as a PADI Instructor is that you can vary your work from teaching “main-spine” core courses and programs and earn more teaching commissions. Specialty Diver certifications are essential if you intend to become a DSAT Tec Deep Instructor or PADI Master Instructor/Course Director.
Many employers insist on MSDT as a minimum rating in order to be considered for a job position. If taught by a PADI Course Director, you may begin certifying specialty divers immediately after paying to PADI the Specialty Instructor processing fees and receive the authorization from your PADI office, rather than waiting until you have certified 25 divers first. PADI application fees are also MUCH cheaper if you attend specialty courses with a PADI Course Director. Additionally, only 10 logged specialty dives are required per rating, rather than 20. Please refer to our IDC PLATINUM package below.
Once you pass the IE you will be qualified to teach all core PADI courses (e.g. Discover SCUBA Diving, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and Divemaster) as well as the following specialties: Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project AWARE and AWARE Coral Reef Conservation. These three specialties do not count towards the five required for MSDT.
# Can I team teach with experienced instructors at Pro Dive International after my IDC to get experience?
Yes! We offer all our candidates a free UP to 4 weeks internship where you can work alongside our experienced instructors gaining further valuable real world teaching tips (with the chance to earn your first certifications - but NO guarantees!).
# How much does the IDC Packages cost?
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Please, contact us. We have different IDC packages to offer you, according to your needs.
# What else will I have to pay for?
There are other fees that you will need to pay directly to PADI (by credit card or wire transfer) and not to us. This includes the IE fee, IDC fee and EFRI fee Applications. Also the Specialty Instructor application fee for those attending the Specialty Instructor/MSDT preparation option.
Note that each Specialty Instructor Application incurs a further one-off fee to PADI.
Your annual PADI fees DO NOT increase with the number of specialties you are authorized to teach or whether you are MSDT or IDCS.
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# Equipment Needed?:
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Complete SCUBA Equipment plus PADI requires you to have the following additional equipment: dive computer, snorkel; whistle and underwater sound device; compass; dive knife; DSMB = Delayed Surface Marker Buoy; reel OR spool and underwater watch or timing device with seconds displayed as some skills are precisely 30 or 60 seconds (a dive computer is OK only if one can see seconds in dive mode or if dive mode can be disabled, otherwise a cheap waterproof watch is fine). You can also rent your equipment (upon request).
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# What language will my IDC be ?
The IDC itself will be taught in English, but we do have multilingual IDC Staff available in the following languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French.
# Can I have my PADI Divemaster / IDC required materials in my own language?
YES. If available at PADI Americas.
# What else I should know?
Medical Clearance
You will need to have a current Medical Certificate* completed and signed by an independent physician, confirming they find NO conditions they consider incompatible with diving. I would strongly recommend that you obtain this before you come and e-mail it to me for verification. Please find attached the current version of the preferred format in English. We are happy to send you this in another language if you wish. It must be completed no more than 12 months prior to the final day of your IE.
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# IDC / I.E. Prerequisite certifications?:
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# Open Water Diver or equivalent (must be at least 6 months old);
# Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent;
# Rescue Diver or equivalent
#Leadership level - PADI Divemaster or equivalent;
# Proof of 100 logged dives;
# Have being a certified diver for at least 6 months;
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# Divemaster Prerequisite certifications?:
# Open Water Diver or equivalent
# Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent;
# Rescue Diver or equivalent
# EFR Primary Care (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation—CPR) & Secondary Care (First Aid) or equivalent valid within 24 months;
# Proof of minimum 40 logged dives;
# 18 years old;
# Dive Theory Exams
The IDC/Instructor Examination has a Dive Theory Exams segment. With your IDC eLearning you will have a revision digital workbook review to prepare yourself and fine tune your knowledge before your arrival. This contains a chapter for each topic, being Physics, Physiology, Equipment, Skills & the Environment and Decompression Theory & the PADI Recreational Dive Planner (RDP).
Each chapter consists of questions with worked answers. PADI’s Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving is also an excellent tool to dip into for further information and is shipped with the PADI Divemaster Crew-pack. You must possess an original RDP table and electronic multilevel eRDPml, together with both Instructions for Use booklets, which again contain worked examples. I can help you if you do not have one.
If you have a learning disability and have a letter documenting this from your doctor (or psychologist), then you will be allowed 50% extra time to complete your written exams.
Please note that, apart from our pre-IDC preparation day and online mentoring, dive theory is NOT taught as part of the PADI IDC – though it’s thoroughly reviewed. If you took the new curriculum or maybe it was a long time since you took the old Divemaster course, we can give you some tips and suggestions to enable you to study and get your theory reviewed before the IDC.
# General useful information
Please bring some passport photos with you (no hat, dark glasses or SCUBA mask and not underwater).
You will need a LAPTOP computer OR Tablet, among other things, to read digital versions of the PADI Instructor Manual, EFR Instructor Manual and PADI’s Guide to Teaching, which are necessary for the PADI Systems, Standards and Procedures Examination, one of your IE segments.
Please send me a copy/proof of a log book page or any app documenting you have the minimum required number of prerequisite logged dives for the PADI GoPRO Training you are applying for.
Another great tip is starting your studies well in advance. I strongly advise you The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving along with The Diving Knowledge workbook AND remake all OLD Divemaster Course (prior 2010) exams, also all Dive Theory TOPICS in your IDC eLearning. No worries, when you enroll with us, I will personally start your mentoring pre-IDC.
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There are a limited number of spaces available on each IDC and in order to reserve your place we require a 50% deposit, which can be made by wire bank transfer, paypal*. Bookings prior minimum 1 month in advance from IDC starting date, you get 10% discount on courses regular prices (Not valid for PADI required materials & fees and equipment rental if applies). Balance tuition payments must be done 5 days before IDC practical part starts.
I hope that this answers many of your questions, but of course if you need any more information to be able to consider things properly, then just drop me an email. I am here to answer any questions you may have, however seemingly insignificant, so you arrive as prepared and therefore as much confident as possible.
I hope to meet you up soon in one of our paradise destinations! Happy Dives!
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Leo Saldunbides - PADI Course Director # 184808
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* 5 % extra charge apply*
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