As a seasoned PADI Instructor, you have wisdom and experience to share with up-and-coming PADI leaders. And, you

know that continuing your education never ends.

As an Instructor Development Course (IDC) Staff Instructor, you help the next generation of PADI Instructors while

gaining in-depth instructor-trainer knowledge.

Because IDC Staff Instructors are an integral part of the PADI Instructor Development Course, you set the stage for

moving to PADI Course Director as you present topics in the IDC and help shape PADI Divemasters and Assistant

Instructors into PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors.

Many dive centers or resort management positions require this level of instructor experience and training, making

this an important step if you are considering a career at a dive center or you want to open a dive shop or resort.

• You become a master of instructor-level dive theory, knowledge development teaching presentations and

confined water teaching presentations.

• You audit a complete IDC as a staff member rather than as a student.

In addition to all the courses you can teach as a PADI Instructor you can also:

• Teach PADI Assistant Instructor courses.

• Assist PADI Course Directors in conducting the PADI Instructor Development Course.

• Assist PADI Course Directors in conducting instructor-level continuing education.

You must be:

• PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer certified

• at least 18 years old

Have you ever been scuba diving and asked yourself, “What was that?” The PADI Project AWARE Fish Identification

Specialty course provides you with the fish identification basics so that next time, you know the answer. You’ll find

you enjoy your dives even more when you recognize the creatures that you see. The fun part about this course is

you can use the skills you learn on every scuba diving vacation, because once you learn the main fish families and

characteristics it will help you decipher the species you see all over the world.

For example, a butterfly fish in the Caribbean has a similar shape to a butterfly fish in Southeast Asia, but their colors

and markings may be wildly different. If you know what fish family it belongs to, it becomes much easier to look up

the local name or at least be able to intelligently ask the local scuba instructor what you saw. That works better than

asking about a “yellow thingy with a funny tail fin.”

During two dives you gain hands-on (okay, eyes-on) experience in looking for and identifying the fascinating fish you

see underwater. You’ll learn:

• How to identify characteristics of local fish families and species

• Fish survey techniques and strategies

• How to practice fish identification dive planning, organization, and procedures

To take this course, you must be a PADI Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from

another organization).

While you’re learning about fish, you’ll probably also be curious about the different types of coral and want to check

out the Coral Reef Conservationist course. As you learn about fish survey techniques you may also want to work on a

conservation project as part of your PADI National Geographic Diver certification. You also may want to brush up on

your underwater photography skills so that you can document and capture images of the species you’re encountering.