Running my first PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) was a milestone that carried far more meaning than simply adding another professional achievement. It was the result of years of mentorship, preparation, and experience and a reminder of how much intention goes into running an IDC well.

This course wasn’t just about meeting standards. It was about how to prepare future PADI instructors for real-world teaching, from timing and logistics to mindset and leadership.

Why We Planned This IDC Before the Busy Season

One of the most important decisions we made when planning this Instructor Development Course was when to run it.

We intentionally scheduled the IDC before the busy dive season, and that choice made a huge difference. New instructors often complete their IDC just as shops become overwhelmed with summer classes, which can limit early teaching opportunities and slow momentum.

By running this IDC ahead of peak season, we gave candidates:

Time to transition confidently into instructor roles
Immediate opportunities to assist and teach
Space to refine skills without rushing
A smoother integration into shop operations

The goal wasn’t simply certification—it was long-term instructor success.

Our Staff Instructor Quill (the puppy) grading Tim’s Demo during dry skills

Running the IDC Through Aquanatics in Baltimore

This IDC was conducted through Aquanatics in Baltimore, a dive center with a strong instructional culture and commitment to quality training.

For confined water sessions, we used the Annapolis pool, which provided an ideal environment for:

Skill demonstrations
Instructor-level evaluations
Controlled teaching practice

Confined water is where instructor candidates refine precision, control, and communication—skills that directly impact student safety and confidence.

Building the Foundation First

EFR Instructor is a required step on the path to becoming an Open Water Scuba Instructor, and it’s where everything really starts to come together from a teaching perspective. Megan completed her Emergency First Response Instructor course with me ahead of the IDC, while Tim finished his during the program and in both cases, it made a noticeable difference.

EFRI isn’t just a box to check. It’s where you learn how to teach life-saving skills, build confidence in front of a class, and start thinking like an instructor. Having that experience early on helped them feel more comfortable presenting, more structured in their delivery, and better prepared to focus on refining their teaching throughout the IDC rather than learning it all at once. It set the tone for the entire program and gave them a strong foundation to build on.

Open Water Training at Lake Phoenix

For open water evaluations, we headed to Lake Phoenix, a site well suited for IDC open water training.

Lake Phoenix offers:

Realistic teaching conditions
Varied depths and platforms
Space for structured evaluations

It’s an environment that mirrors the conditions instructors are likely to teach in, making it an excellent setting for assessing readiness—not just ideal-condition performance.

And yes…we were all in dry suits!

More Than Certification: The IDC as a Professional Transition

An IDC is not just another scuba certification. It’s a professional transition from diver to educator, mentor, and leader.

Throughout this course, we focused on:

Teaching the why behind PADI standards
Building decision-making skills
Developing adaptable, thoughtful instructors

Rather than creating identical teaching styles, the goal was to help each candidate develop their own instructor voice, grounded in standards, safety, and empathy.

The Candidates: The Heart of This IDC

What truly defined this first IDC were the candidates themselves.

Each person arrived with:

A different diving background
Different strengths and challenges
Unique reasons for becoming a PADI instructor

Some candidates found confidence quickly. Others grew steadily throughout the course. What mattered most was their willingness to learn, accept feedback, and support one another.

Megan, from Stingray Scuba in Arnold, Maryland, has been such a pleasure to work with throughout her journey. We first met when I co-taught her Assistant Instructor course, and getting to step into the role of Course Director for her OWSI program and MSDT Prep has been incredibly rewarding. She brings a calm confidence, strong work ethic, and is truly an excellent dive buddy.

Tim is someone many of you may recognize from last summer, when we spent months teaching side by side. I had the opportunity to teach Tim during his Assistant Instructor course, and we quickly found a rhythm that carried through an entire season of co-teaching. I will absolutely miss working with him when we move to Hawaii, but I’m beyond excited to see him step into his role as an OWSI and continue building his career.

Matt, the owner of Aquanautics LLC in Baltimore, joined this IDC as an IDC Staff Instructor candidate and played a key role in supporting the team. His leadership, professionalism, and willingness to mentor throughout the process added a strong layer of depth to the course and created an environment where everyone could succeed.

Josh completed his EFR Instructor course with me as part of his preparation, and after successfully passing his IE, he came back to complete his MSDT Prep. During that time, he completed Emergency Oxygen Provider, Full Face Mask, Adaptive, DPV, and Dry Suit Instructor specialties with me. He has been intentional about continuing to grow and expand his skillset, with a clear focus on using scuba as a pathway to support veterans. That purpose shows in the way he approaches his training, his development, and his future as an instructor.

By the end of the IDC, these candidates weren’t just preparing for the PADI Instructor Exam (IE)—they were stepping into roles as educators and leaders within the dive community.

Going Beyond the IDC: MSDT Prep & Specialty Instructor Training

One of the most intentional decisions we made with this IDC was to go beyond the minimum requirements.

We didn’t just run one MSDT Prep—we ran two full MSDT Prep programs to give candidates real momentum as they stepped into their instructor careers. The goal was simple: don’t just certify instructors, build instructors who are ready to teach immediately.

Josh and Megan crushed their Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor Course

Throughout this process, candidates completed and trained in a range of instructor-level specialties, including Emergency Oxygen Provider, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Fish Identification, Deep, Underwater Naturalist, Full Face Mask, Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV), Adaptive Techniques, and Dry Suit.

This wasn’t about collecting certifications. It was about developing versatility, confidence, and real-world teaching capability so that each instructor leaves prepared to work in a variety of environments and support a wide range of divers.

A huge part of that is exposure and mentorship. As a Course Director, I’m able to teach instructor-level training across roughly 23 different specialties, which opens the door for continued growth well beyond the IDC itself.

And honestly, this is just the beginning. I can’t wait to get to Hawaii and really step into teaching full time, continuing to mentor instructors, expand specialty offerings, and help shape the next generation of dive professionals.

A Full-Circle Moment as a Scuba Instructor

On a personal level, running my first Instructor Development Course felt like a full-circle moment.

I remember sitting in my own IDC years ago, absorbing everything—how feedback was delivered, how standards were reinforced, and how confidence was built. Standing in that role now, guiding others through the same transition, is something I don’t take lightly.

This IDC wasn’t about perfection. It was about preparation, growth, and responsibility.

Looking Ahead

Running my first IDC reaffirmed something I deeply believe: great scuba instructors are built through thoughtful planning, strong mentorship, and real-world experience.

This course marked the beginning of a new chapter—for the candidates and for me as a mentor and Course Director in training. And I couldn’t be more proud of the team that came together through this process.

Here’s to the next generation of PADI instructors—and to doing this the right way.

Dive safe, explore passionately, and remember…