scuba diving internship idc pattay thailand course director

Intern class January 2006 - Scuba diving internships Pattaya Thailand

January 2006 - the beginning of a New year and the 6th year that Mermaids CDC have been operating the scuba diving internships. We had a superb IDC and IE in Pattaya, Thailand with 17 candidates. They were Jeremiah Schultz, Aine O’toole, Michael Nichols, Silver Kroon, Sander Kisbselg, Amy Rudolph, James Graham, Mark Russell, Sam Carpenter, Sheena Walls, Jim Soda, Philip Bloor, Bruce Ritchie, Andrew Strong, Greg Lee, Garry Mullet and Rob Woods.

All have been very strong scuba diving instructor candidates - we have 14 new instructors. 3 of the guys need to have a make up through PADI and shall be making this within the month. It is inevitable that nerves and a silly mistake can cause a problem with exams etc but this is not a problem. The IE (Instructor Examination) can be re-sat with a make up shortly after. The guys have the opportunity to sit with a STAFF Course Director 1:1 to receive additional training on areas that they feel let them down. (Students can receive 1:1 dive tuition - small class sizes. While we welcome those divers who enjoy participating in a vibrant and exciting program along with many other divers, we also offer private 1:1 dive instruction on request in problem areas for students who need a little boost. No other dive center in Pattaya, Thailand offers this type of private 1:1 tuition on request with in-house PADI Course Directors. Other dive programs that emulate our dive program in Pattaya do NOT have in-house full time Course Directors and hence you will only have their attention along with other students during the IDC. (Please ALWAYS ask if your dive center actually has Course Directors on STAFF or if they are "freelance hire" for the duration of the IDC).

Mermaids have very strict IE (Instructor Examination) entrance criteria. All of the guys were up to the job but the pressure of the day caught three of them. You'll get it in Phuket guys:-) (It is now Feb 19th 2006 and the guys that went to Phuket passed:-)

WELL DONE to all of the participants and indeed the 14 New PADI Instructors!


8 candidates and 4 STAFF members - very small personal groups.	Once at the IDC you still need to show your swimming skills - the guys get ready to make the 800 meter mask and fins swim.	Sheena making the Rescue presentation. Rescue features very heavily indeed in both the divemaster and the IDC/IE workshops.


Rescue ...	Rescue ...	RESCUE!


Rob, Jim, Bruce, Garry and Phil look on at the IDC swimming pool.	Mermaids in-House PADI Course Director, Rusty making the dive teams / plan for the open water work.	Silver studying on the boat.


2 STAFF instructors and 5 students - small classes.	CD Course Director Rusty and STAFF instructor Mark going through grades. Mark is the resident IAHD instructor.	Amy and Aine going through lesson plans prior to setting sail.


Rusty marking the guys underwater.	CD - tough job but Rusty loves it really!	Sheena.


In water skills with STAFF instructors and CD.	Small classes.	Jim.
Small classes are good indeed allowing for good tuition from an instructor or in-house PADI Course Director. We tend to have more than the average amount of students but then we have more than the average amount of experienced instructors too. In some instances you NEED more people to be able to perform skills and scenarios i.e. One party being the Divemaster, 2 students and the acting instructor.


Jim with Rusty listening to Bruce making a briefing.	Bruce listening to feedback.	Aine and Desi (STAFF Instructor).


Two STAFF instructors listening to Amy's briefing of a skill.	Rusty catching the rays whilst working.	Large groups - I think not! Garry briefing the students on the next skill.