Dive Training Blogs
Are you ready to become a TDI Instructor Trainer?
What it Means, What it Takes, and Where to Begin
by Jon Kieren
TDI Instructor Trainers (IT) are viewed in the industry as the most knowledgeable, experienced, and talented dive educators. They are considered the top of the top or the crème of the crop.
Why is that?
TDI strongly believes that in order to train instructors at their highest level, an educator needs to have real world experience diving and teaching at that level. Once a TDI Instructor gains the requisite diving and teaching experience, they will need to prove themselves in an Instructor Trainer Workshop, conducted by either a World HQ Training Department staff member or an HQ appointed Instructor Trainer Evaluator.
How can I gain experience and why is it so important?
It is simple – dive and teach. Learning does not happen by osmosis; an IT or IT Evaluator cannot teach all of the hard lessons that come from years of experience in a few days. An Instructor Trainer will rely on their time, efforts, and experience of diving and teaching when training and evaluating instructor candidates. Having this necessary experience will allow the IT to focus on the critical components of the given subject; while the instructor candidate will fine-tune their rhythm with teaching and techniques based on their own experiences in the future.
Teaching professional level courses as a TDI IT
A TDI Instructor Trainer will be working with already experienced instructors; creating TDI Instructors is much more than “ticking the boxes” when a candidate reads the correct line off a PowerPoint or out of the Instructor Guide. A qualified TDI IT will be far more focused on the content of what is presented, as well as the candidate’s ability to maintain control over their student divers in very unforgiving environments.
Am I qualified to become a TDI IT?
For a complete list of the prerequisites to enter the Instructor Trainer Workshop, and certification count requirements for individual TDI IT ratings, please reference the standards listed on the course description page here.
What is the TDI Instructor Trainer Workshop actually like?
The Instructor Trainer Workshop is an intensive 8 day program which covers a wide variety of topics from the business of diving and dive leader risk management to methods of instruction. Candidates will work directly with World HQ Training Department staff to develop and hone their instructor evaluation techniques. And because we believe in leading by example, IT candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to perform everything that they will expect from their instructor candidates at IT level quality. That includes academic presentations, in-water presentations, demonstrations, and everyone’s favorite, the watermanship requirements. Successful completion of the Instructor Trainer Workshop is a major accomplishment, and will prepare TDI Instructors to conduct instructor level training at the highest levels in the industry.
To get started, please submit your ITW application to the training department at training@tdisdi.com for review. If you have any questions, please contact World HQ or your Regional Office for more information.
To find out more about International Training, visit www.tdisdi.com.
Blogs
Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.
Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.
Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:
- 12 April
- 5 July,
- 20 September
- 29 November
Partnership with Casita Palma
If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.
Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.
Blogs
Scubility: Achieving Success through Adaptability
The Scubility Program in Action
In the last four events, we have enrolled many Scubility divers in the program. We also have a team of trained instructors and assistants; without them, this wouldn’t be possible. The main objective was to make safe and comfortable diving experiences for Scubility students. In fact, in the last Scubility program, which concluded in March 2023, we included a blind diver along with six other Scubility divers. We also had 8 instructors and more than 10 assistant participants to make this possible.
The main challenge for blind divers is to set up a communication signal. So, I designed a unique ‘touch signal’ for blind students where they just need to touch an arm to convey a message. For example, when an instructor touches your arm twice, it means he is asking, “Are you okay?”. In case of any emergency during the dive, the blind diver just needs to squeeze the arm of the instructor to get his attention to solve the problem. For each Scubility diver, there were at least two personnel, an instructor, and an assistant, assigned.
Impact and Emotions of Scubility
The most satisfying experience of this program was to see Scubility divers happy, with emotional, teary eyes. I could imagine that probably for the first time, or perhaps the only time, some of them could walk, stand, and move again underwater without a wheelchair, feeling alive again. Seeing a courageous Scubility diver overcoming all challenges and obstacles to make it possible definitely inspires me to organize more events like this.
“Scuba Diving for All” Event
The biggest local Scubility program, named “Scuba Diving for All,” was organized in Khao Lak, Phang-nga Province, south of Thailand, from October 30 to November 5, 2018. We invited international Scubility participant divers for this event. Leading up to this program, we put in lots of effort, preparing hotels and resorts in a friendly design, making sure of choosing good dive sites, and above all, to bring a smile to our precious Scubility students.
I hope that this endeavor will serve as an inspiration for people worldwide to achieve what may seem impossible, while also raising awareness about the importance of charity and kindness in our society. I look forward to welcoming you soon to our joyful underwater realm.
As an SDI TDI & Scubility IT, Dan Phutthakhun Prungkananon, owner of All Star Diving Academy located in Thailand, has a deep-rooted passion for ensuring safety and fun in the water. Keep up with Dan and the All Star Diving Academy via Instagram or Facebook and by checking out their Dive Center Facebook.
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