What Kind of Workshops Can You Expect During the PADI IDC at Oceans 5 Gili Air?

Workshops During the PADI IDC

PADI IDC Gili Islands | Oceans 5 Dive Gili Air

The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Oceans 5 Gili Air is designed to prepare future dive instructors to confidently teach and lead PADI Courses anywhere in the world. With the introduction of the revised 2019 IDC curriculum, the focus has shifted even more toward practical learning. Knowledge development, which was once heavily classroom-based, has now transitioned to eLearning. This change gives IDC candidates more time to develop hands-on teaching techniques and instructional control through practical workshops.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we fully embrace this new approach. As the only PADI Career Development Centre on Gili Air, we offer a full 20-day IDC program that integrates theory with real-world practice. Here are some of the key workshops our candidates experience during the IDC, ensuring they’re not just ready to pass the Instructor Examination, but to teach with confidence and environmental awareness from day one.

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1. Rescue Course Workshop: Teaching Rescue Skills the Right Way

One of the most essential components of becoming a PADI Instructor is learning how to teach rescue techniques. During the Rescue Course Workshop at Oceans 5, we revisit and break down each rescue exercise. Candidates learn not only how to demonstrate the skills, but how to evaluate, correct, and control students during real-life rescue scenarios.

This includes a full pool session focusing on Rescue Exercise #7—“Unresponsive Diver at the Surface”—as well as simulated open water scenarios. Candidates practice acting in multiple roles: instructor, student, and divemaster. This helps them understand what it takes to teach rescue diving safely and effectively.

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2. Advanced Open Water Workshop: Teaching Navigation, Buoyancy, and More

The Advanced Open Water Diver Course contains five adventure dives, and the IDC at Oceans 5 gives special attention to the most commonly taught dives. Our workshops focus on:

• Underwater Navigation – Candidates practice teaching compass use, including straight-line navigation, reciprocal bearings, and square patterns.

• Search and Recovery – This includes knot tying (bowline, two half hitches, and the sheet bend), as well as how to use a lift bag.

• Peak Performance Buoyancy – Candidates learn how to help students improve trim, weight distribution, and air consumption without touching the bottom.

These workshops are conducted in both the pool and open water, providing a clear understanding of how to structure adventure dives while maintaining student control and comfort.

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3. Deep Dive Workshop: Instructor Role in a Challenging Environment

The Deep Adventure Dive is one of the most exciting yet demanding dives an instructor will supervise. During the Deep Dive Workshop, IDC candidates learn how to conduct this dive while staying within the limits of PADI standards and ensuring student safety.

Key topics include:

• Pre-dive briefings and risk assessments

• How to manage narcosis and limited visibility

• Supervision strategies for maintaining group control at depth

• Required deep dive skills such as pressure comparisons, time awareness, and no-decompression limit monitoring

The workshop also emphasizes instructor positioning and diver control during descent and ascent.

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4. Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) Workshop: Introducing New Divers to the Ocean

Teaching someone to dive for the first time is a huge responsibility—and one of the most rewarding tasks for a PADI Instructor. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we conduct a complete DSD Workshop that guides candidates through the PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience.

The workshop includes:

• Review of required PADI materials and liability paperwork

• Confined water skill session setup and control strategies

• Tips for managing nervous or hesitant participants

• Teaching correct instructor positioning during the DSD dive

This workshop prepares IDC candidates to give students a safe and unforgettable first dive experience.

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5. Paperwork and Certification Workshop: Avoiding Administrative Errors

While not as glamorous as deep dives or rescue scenarios, understanding the required paperwork for each course is absolutely essential. Incorrect documentation can delay certification or even create legal risks.

In the Paperwork and Certification Workshop, candidates learn:

• Which forms are required for each PADI course (including liability releases and medical statements)

• How to check that forms are filled out correctly

• What to do if a student answers “yes” on a medical questionnaire

• How to process and submit certifications to PADI

At Oceans 5, we put great emphasis on attention to detail—because even the best instructor cannot teach if their paperwork isn’t in order.

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Beyond Workshops: Oceans 5’s Holistic Approach

In addition to these focused workshops, Oceans 5 Gili Air ensures IDC candidates receive comprehensive training in all teaching environments—classroom, confined water, and open water. Our IDC program includes:

• Confined Water Teaching Workshops – Emphasizing neutral buoyancy teaching techniques, avoiding the traditional kneeling-on-the-bottom method

• Classroom Presentation Workshops – Helping candidates structure knowledge development sessions using PADI’s teaching tools

• Open Water Teaching Presentations – Practicing the logistics of real-world student management in an ocean setting

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Why Choose Oceans 5 Gili Air?

With two in-house PADI Course Directors and small group sizes limited to six candidates, Oceans 5 Gili Air offers personal attention and support throughout the IDC. Each workshop is designed not just to help you pass your Instructor Exam, but to develop the practical skills and confidence you need to become a knowledgeable, flexible, and environmentally responsible PADI Instructor.

Whether you're practicing rescue scenarios in our training pool or teaching a mock DSD in the ocean, you'll be developing the real-world skills that make the difference between just another instructor and a great one.

Ready to start your journey? Join the next PADI IDC at Oceans 5 Gili Air and take part in one of the most hands-on and practical IDCs in the region.