PADI Instructor Development Course

Days 1-5: Pool & theory

Days off

Days 6-7: Pool & theory

Days 8-10: Sea days

Days off

Day 11: Pool & theory

Days 12-13: EFR Instructor course

Day 14: Course close

The PADI Instructor Exam will take place over two days after the IDC ends.

* specialty instructor courses may finish on the Tuesday after the exam

• PADI application fees
• EFRI application fees
• IE fee
• Professional dive equipment (as listed in the General standards and procedures, Equipment section in your PADI Instructor manual)
• Dive medical (AS4005.1 or AS2299) required before course start
• Current first aid certification required to enter course (within 24 months of course end)
• Accommodation whilst not on the vessel

• PADI DiveMaster or equivalent
• Minimum age 18
• Minimum 100 logged dives
• Have all required diving equipment – remember, special discounts apply for paid-up IDC candidates
• Have current first aid/CPR qualification (within the last 24 months
• Have undergone a professional dive medical examination (see Additional Costs section for more info)

Please allow sufficient time before your course starts to make sure you have completed the below.

Academic Preparation

• PADI IDC eLearning materials – this must be completed online before your course starts. You will be given access to the online platform once you have paid a deposit towards your IDC.
• Study in the five areas of theory from your Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving. On sign-up, our Course directors will contact you with study guidance.

Physical Preparation

• Complete a 400m freestyle swim (no snorkel, mask or fins)
• Ability to conduct a rescue scenario where you pull a person from the water
• Practice all PADI Open Water Diver Course skills to demonstration quality
• If you have not practised skill demonstrations recently, we urge you to contact us to arrange attendance of a real Open Water Course at no extra charge

“I have just completed my IDC with Divers Den. If you want the best, you are in the right place. Professional, thorough, and overall one of the greatest experiences of my life. I cannot recommend doing your IDC with these guys more.

Charlotte and John are incredible. The amount of work they put into you to ensure you pass – this should be reason enough to sign up.

All in, if you want to have the best 3 weeks, meeting amazing people, with the best mentors and learning on the GBR (2 nights live-aboard) – sign up now. Will be the best decision you’ve made.”

– Anna Glassey (Feb 2024)

“Doing my ITP/ IDC with Divers Den prepared me for more than just the IE, it prepared me for many of the challenges I now face as a dive instructor every day. I feel confident passing on these skills to my students and I would recommend taking the next step towards Padi Pro with the amazing team at Divers Den.”

– Remily, 2019 (who is now a course instructor at Divers Den!)

All scuba participants must meet medical questionnaire requirements. Some conditions or medications may prevent you from diving.

It is required by Queensland law that you must wait at least 24 hours after diving before going to altitude or flying – there is no guarantee that this requirement will prevent decompression sickness. There are no current guidelines regarding diving after flying.

Altitude is defined as 300m/1000ft above sea level. Certain other tourist attractions around Cairns and Tropical North Queensland involve travelling to altitude. These include the Atherton Tablelands and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, so we recommend a gap between booking these experiences and any dive course or trip. Under normal circumstances, you should be out of the water on your last dive at 12pm (midday) on our overnight trips and 2pm on our day trips.