OTHER PRO
COURSES
More vitamin sea, please!
Keep On Learning!
GoPro Cozumel is a department of Cozumel Dive School.
Like with any passion, scuba diving makes you hungry for more. And once you've already earned a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you will most likely want to teach the specialties you're passionate about: Wreck, Deep, Sidemount, Nitrox or perhaps UW Digital Imaging? The two Course Directors who lead the GoPro Cozumel program at Cozumel Dive School can easily help you climb up the PADI Pro ladder!
The criteria for earning your Scuba Diving Instructor certification is the same for all divers, but not all dive schools are the same. At Cozumel Dive School we pride ourselves on taking learning a step beyond. GoPro Cozumel is our program dedicated entirely to teach PADI Instructors on all levels. Thank you for choosing us!
Other PADI Pro
Instructor Courses
Emergency First
Responder (EFR)
Instructor
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 1-2 days
Cost: $250 USD
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Not included:
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$230 USD PADI EFRI crew pack
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$135 USD PADI certification fee
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Lodging
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Meals
Read more about this course below...
Prerequisites:
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Minimum age: 18
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Emergency First Responder (Primary & Secondary Care) certification (or equivalent) earned within the last 24 months
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Emergency First Response Instructor course (or equivalent) is required for all Instructor candidates taking the Instructor Development Course. However, as it is not a diving-specific course, it is also suitable for non-divers who want to teach EFR courses to anyone. You will need an EFRI Crew Pack, mandatory by PADI, including manuals and instructor guides for EFR Primary & Secondary Care, EFR Care for Children and other materials necessary to conduct First Aid courses. Over one or two days you will learn how to present course content in an effective way, evaluate students’ knowledge, their skills mastery and manage effective scenario-based learning workshops.
Assistant Instructor (AI)
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 5 days
Cost: $450 USD
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Not included:
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$500 USD PADI IDC eLearning
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$125 USD PADI AI certification fee
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Lodging
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Meals
Read more about this course below...
Prerequisites:
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Dive Leader certification: PADI Divemaster or leadership-level certification with other recognized recreational diver training organization
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PADI IDC eLearning and IDC crewpack
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Minimum age: 18 years old
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Minimum 60 logged dives, including documented experience in night diving, deep diving, and underwater navigation
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Physical fitness attested by PADI Medical Statement signed by a physician within the previous 12 months (available locally for USD 40 or free, if insured with DAN)
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Certified diver for at least six months
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EFR Primary & Secondary Care training (or other recognized equivalent) completed within the previous 24 months (online courses are not accepted but you can complete the EFR course with CDS)
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Complete diver rescue skills assessment as per PADI Divemaster course & submit documentation of qualifying certifications for entry-level, advanced, rescue, and leadership level to PADI (if not a PADI Divemaster)
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Personal insurance covering scuba diving accidents (you can buy insurance via DAN)
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Personal equipment: dive computer, Delayed Surface Marker Buoy & reel, whistle, cutting device (preferably a Z-cutter; dive knives are not allowed in the Cozumel Marine Park), timing device, RDP & eRDPml
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Agreement to Cozumel Dive School Terms & Conditions
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Course Details:
PADI Assistant Instructor is a great solution if you don’t have enough time or funds to complete the full Instructor Development Course with us, or if you wish to first gain more confidence in teaching some diving skills* independently or with minimal supervision.
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Timing & Schedule
The AI course requires a minimum of five days to complete and is covered during the first week of our IDC training. However, it can be organized individually anytime during the year, as it is not bound to PADI Instructor Examination dates.
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Course Curriculum
The course is based on an independent study of your online IDC eLearning that should be completed before you arrive. You will focus primarily on the courses you can teach as Assistant Instructor. You will get familiar with PADI Standards, administrative requirements, and certification procedures, go over PADI course presentations and review your dive theory. You will practice explaining & demonstrating confined and open water skills and learn how to give Knowledge Development presentations.
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Exam & Certification
To qualify as an Assistant Instructor, you will have to pass PADI Standards & Procedures Exam, gain sufficient points for your scuba diving skill presentations, Knowledge Development, Confined water & Open water training presentations, and complete Diver Rescue assessment from the PADI Divemaster course.
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What's Included
The course takes five days and costs $450 USD. You must have or purchase your own PADI IDC eLearning materials (an additional $500 USD), which means the total cost is $950 USD. That excludes accommodation & lunches. Let us know if you wish to stay with us during your AI course so we can give you a price for lodging.
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* PADI Assistant Instructors can independently perform Discover Scuba Diving components in a pool and confined water, teach Project AWARE & Coral Reef Conservation (non-diving) specialties, conduct Bubblemaker and PADI Seal Team AquaMissions, teach & certify divers in Peak Performance Buoyancy and Digital Underwater Photographer specialties under the direction of a PADI Instructor (after completing corresponding Specialty Instructor training).
Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 7 days
Cost: $650 USD
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Not included:
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$500 USD PADI IDC eLearning
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$795 USD PADI Instructor Examination
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$220 USD PADI OWSI certification fee
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Lodging
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Meals
Read more about this course below...
Prerequisites:
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PADI Assistant Instructor, or instructor member in good standing (eligible to renew) with a recognized recreational diver training
organization* for at least six month -
PADI IDC eLearning and IDC crewpack
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Minimum age: 18 years old
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Minimum 100 logged dives, including documented experience in night diving, deep diving, and underwater navigation
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Physical fitness attested by PADI Medical Statement signed by a physician within the previous 12 months (available locally for USD 40 or free, if insured with DAN)
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Certified diver for at least six months
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EFR Primary & Secondary Care training (or other recognized equivalent) completed within the previous 24 months (online courses are not accepted but you can complete the EFR course with CDS)
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Personal insurance covering scuba diving accidents (you can buy insurance via DAN)
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Personal equipment: dive computer, Delayed Surface Marker Buoy & reel, whistle, cutting device (preferably a Z-cutter; dive knives are not allowed in the Cozumel Marine Park), timing device, RDP & eRDPml
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Agreement to Cozumel Dive School Terms & Conditions
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Course Details:
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor is a great solution if you already are a PADI Assistant Instructor or if you want to cross over from other organization.
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Timing & Schedule
The OWSI course requires a minimum of seven days to complete and is covered during the second week of our IDC training. However, we highly recommend that you join the full IDC for more training. No extra charge for joining a full IDC if you are a PADI Assistant Instructor.
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Course Curriculum
The course is based on an independent study of your online IDC eLearning that should be completed before you arrive. You will focus primarily on addons between Assistant Instructor and Open water Scuba Instructor. You will get familiar with PADI Standards, administrative requirements, and certification procedures, go over PADI course presentations and review your dive theory. You will practice explaining & demonstrating confined and open water skills and learn how to give Knowledge Development presentations.
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Exam & Certification
To qualify as an PADI Open water Scuba Instructor, you will need to attend a PADI Instructor Examination. An Instructor Examiner sent by PADI will objectively assess your knowledge of dive theory, training standards, and in-water demonstration skills. The Instructor Examination will be held in San Miguel de Cozumel or in Playa del Carmen on dates provided in the calendar. The final location will be determined shortly before the course starts. If the Instructor Examination takes place in Playa del Carmen, candidates are required to cover any related transportation and accommodation costs. have to pass PADI Standards & Procedures Exam, gain sufficient points for your scuba diving skill presentations, Knowledge Development, Confined water & Open water training presentations, and complete Diver Rescue assessment from the PADI Divemaster course.
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What's Included
The course takes seven days and costs $650 USD. You must have or purchase your own PADI IDC eLearning materials (an additional $500 USD), which means the total cost is $1150 USD. That excludes accommodation & lunches. PADI Instructor Examination of $ 749 USD and PADI OWSI certification fee of $209 USD is not included and to be paid directly to PADI during examination. Let us know if you wish to stay with us during your OWSI course so we can give you a price for lodging.
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Specialty Instructor (SI)
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 1 or more days, depends on specialtties choosen
Cost: from $150 USD
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What's included:
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A chosen Specialty Instructor training
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Digital Instructor Manual
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Shore or boat dives (depending on Specialty) and certification.
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Not included:
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$84 USD PADI fee per specialty
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Meals
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Lodging - let us know if you wish to stay with us during your Specialty Instructor course so we can give you a price for lodging.
Read more about this course below...
Prerequisites for all specialties:
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Teaching status PADI Instructor or currently participating in/completed an IDC/OWSI Program within the past 12 months (IDC/OWSI candidates may apply for Specialty Instructor certification only once they pass their Instructor Exam)
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Personal insurance covering scuba diving accidents (you can buy insurance via DAN)
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Personal equipment: dive computer, Delayed Surface Marker Buoy & reel, whistle, cutting device (preferably a Z-cutter; dive knives are not allowed in the Cozumel Marine Park), timing device, RDP & eRDPml
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Agreement to Cozumel Dive School Terms & Conditions
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Prerequisites for all non-diving specialties:
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PADI Assistant Instructor rating
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Minimum PADI Divemaster rating for Emergency Oxygen Provider, Equipment Specialist, Coral Reef Conservation, Project AWARE and PADI Distinctive Specialty Diver, Digital Underwater Photographer specialty instructor training courses
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Additional Prerequisites
Additional prerequisites & exit requirements apply to the following specialty instructor training courses. If you do not have a certain specialty diver level certification yet, you may take the diver level course in conjunction with your specialty instructor training :
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Enriched Air Diver
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Self-Reliant Diver
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Sidemunt Diver
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Course Details:
Specialty Instructor certifications give you the opportunity to teach the types of diving you like the most. Perhaps you are into exploring the wrecks, going to depths past Advanced Open Water Diver limit, diving on Enriched Air or with 2 tanks on the sides instead of a regular back-mount set-up? Being able to teach those specialties will make you a happier instructor and increase your chances to be hired by dive operators! If you enjoy a certain type of diving, you will find it easier to teach. Plus, you can rely on PADI Specialty training materials that support most PADI Specialty courses. Remember that once you collect 5 PADI Specialty Instructor ratings and have certified 25 PADI divers, you can apply for your Master Scuba Diver Trainer.
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Timing & Schedule
The duration of your Specialty Instructor course will depend on the specialty chosen. It can vary from 1 to 5 days.
Course Curriculum
The course is based on instructor-led presentations. You will get familiar with PADI Standards, administrative requirements, and certification procedures specific to the Specialty chosen. You will practice explaining & demonstrating open water skills and learn how to give Knowledge Development presentations relevant to the specialty of your choice.
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Exam & Certification
There are no exams. You will be certified upon passing skills requirements relevant to the specialty chosen.
Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 4-6 days, depends on specialties choosen
Cost: from $600 USD
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What's included:
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Digital Instructor Manual
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5-night stay in our Dive House
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2 boat trips (2 tanks each)
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required number of shore dives (depending on specialties chosen)
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Not included:
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$79 USD x 5 = $395 USD PADI fees
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Meals
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Extra boat trips
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25 student certifications needed to earn MSDT rating
Read more about this course below...
Prerequisites for all specialties:
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Teaching status PADI Instructor or currently participating in/completed an IDC/OWSI Program within the past 12 months (IDC/OWSI candidates may apply for Specialty Instructor certification only once they pass their Instructor Exam)
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Personal insurance covering scuba diving accidents (you can buy insurance via DAN)
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Personal equipment: dive computer, Delayed Surface Marker Buoy & reel, whistle, cutting device (preferably a Z-cutter; dive knives are not allowed in the Cozumel Marine Park), timing device, RDP & eRDPml
-
Agreement to Cozumel Dive School Terms & Conditions
​
Prerequisites for all non-specialties:
-
PADI Assistant Instructor rating
-
Minimum PADI Divemaster rating for Emergency Oxygen Provider, Equipment Specialist, Coral Reef Conservation, Project AWARE and PADI Distinctive Specialty Diver, Digital Underwater Photographer specialty instructor training courses
​
Additional Prerequisites
Additional prerequisites & exit requirements apply to the following specialty instructor training courses. If you do not have a certain specialty diver level certification yet, you may take the diver level course in conjunction with your specialty instructor training :
-
Enriched Air Diver
-
Self-Reliant Diver
​
Course Details:
Congratulations! You have achieved the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor rating. Opportunities await around the world. Take your professional credentials to the next level and make a difference that gets you the dream job you have been seeking.
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With GoPro Cozumel, you can earn 5 or more PADI Specialty Instructor ratings for your PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Instructor certification.
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Teach your favorite specialties and share your passion with students in courses like:
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Deep diver specialty
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Wreck diver specialty
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EANx (Nitrox) specialty
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Drift diver specialty
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Sidemount specialty
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Self-reliant specialty
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Night diver specialty
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Fish identification specialty
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Underwater naturalist specialty
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Underwater navigator specialty
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Digital Underwater photography specialty
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Search and Recovery specialty
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Timing & Schedule
Our MSDT Prep course can be completed within 4-6 days, depending on the selected Specialties.
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Course Curriculum
The course is based on instructor-led presentations. You will get familiar with PADI Standards, administrative requirements, and certification procedures specific to the Specialty chosen. You will practice explaining & demonstrating open water skills and learn how to give Knowledge Development presentations relevant to the specialty of your choice.
Exam & Certification
There are no exams. You will be certified upon passing skills requirements relevant to the specialties chosen. You will earn a Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating after collecting 25 diving certifications.
IDC Staff Instructor
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 16 days
Cost: from $600 USD
Not included:
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$375 USD PADI IDC Staff Instructor materials
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$142 USD PADI fees
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Meals
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Lodging - let us know if you wish to stay with us during your IDC Staff Instructor course so we can give you a price for lodging.
​
Read more about this course below...
Prerequisites:
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Teaching status PADI Instructor
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PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer level
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Emergency First Responder Instructor
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Agreement to conduct all levels of diver training following entirely PADI standards & philosophy outlined in PADI Instructor Manual, Guide to Teaching and Course Director Manual
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Personal insurance covering scuba diving accidents (you can buy DAN insurance here)
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Personal equipment: dive computer, Delayed Surface Marker Buoy & reel, whistle, cutting device (preferably a Z-cutter; dive knives are not allowed in the Cozumel Marine Park), timing device, RDP & eRDPml
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Agreement to Cozumel Dive School Terms & Conditions
​
Course Details:
Becoming an IDC Staff Instructor is a natural step in developing your career as a scuba diving instructor trainer. You will be able to share your expert knowledge and broad experience while teaching the next generations of PADI professionals. It should also help to reduce a feeling of burnout as you will be able to teach more courses. After becoming an IDC Instructor you can conduct full PADI Assistant Instructor courses, assist with IDC courses and teach other instructor-level continuing education courses.
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Timing & Schedule
You will follow the schedule of an Instructor Development Course. You will start with a 2 days preparation when you will cover 4 Instructor Course knowledge development sessions, have your 24 Skills Evaluation and Confined water skill presentation. The next step is to assist in 14 consecutive days of the IDC. Please check our current IDC schedule here.
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Required materials
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All material required of IDC candidates
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IDC Staff Instructor materials
Course Curriculum
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Step 1 will consist of 2 days of pre-assessment of your instructor-level knowledge of dive theory & PADI standards, your dive skills and role-model presentation techniques combined with workshops on organising PADI Assistant Instructor courses, evaluation & counseling psychology and evaluating knowledge development and in-water teaching presentations
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Step 2 will be auditing a full IDC course with hands-on practice in teaching its components and evaluating the candidates under the direction of a Course Director.
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Exam & Certification
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You will be required to score no less than 80% on each of the Dive Theory and PADI Systems, Standards and Procedures Exams.
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You will have to earn min. 96 points for 24 dive skills evaluation, with no individual score below 3.
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You will need to score no less than 4.0 on a knowledge development teaching presentation and on a confined water teaching presentation.
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You are required to attend the 4 IDC Staff Instructor Course knowledge development sessions during your initial 2 days of prep.
Instructor Mentor Program
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 1-3 months
Cost: Free
Not included:
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Meals
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Lodging - let us know if you wish to stay with us during your Instructor Mentor program so we can give you a price for lodging.
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Boat Diving (unless needed for ratio purposes)
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Read more about this course below...
Prerequisites:
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Active status PADI Divemaster (a minimum for module 1)
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Active status PADI Instructor (for module 2, 3 & 4)*
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Agreement to follow Cozumel Dive Schools Terms and Conditions
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Agreement to CDS Instructor Mentor Terms and Conditions
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Valid driving license
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Full scuba equipment including dive computer, Delayed Surface Marker Buoy & reel, whistle, cutting device (preferably a Z-cutter; dive knives are not allowed in the Cozumel Marine Park)
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Personal dive insurance
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NOTE: Priority is given to interns that have taken the MSDT Prep or sign up for the MSDT Prep with Cozumel Dive School
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Course Details:
The goal of the Instructor Mentor Program is to give new instructors real-life experience of teaching scuba, help them understand the dive industry, and give them the possibility to earn certifications. It’s not a guarantee that you will reach your 25 certs that are required for MSDT rating but you will get hands-on experience in teaching and meet student divers from all around the world.
Timing & Schedule
Our Internship is designed to last no longer than 3 months. Within this time you should have enough chances to go through all the modules and get experience teaching most of the PADI core courses.
Internship Curriculum: The Instructor Mentor consists of 4 modules:
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Module 1 means shadowing experienced instructors in their job: you will observe courses, take notes, ask questions regarding the course flow, etc.
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Module 2 you will start team teaching with our instructors: briefing, demonstrating, and debriefing a couple of skills per dive.
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Module 3 will mean even more responsibility: you will be teaching the whole dives (eg. Confined 1 and 3 on OWD or Navigation Dive on AOWD courses) under the guidance of our Instructors.
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Module 4 we will have you teach the whole course by yourself, with the indirect supervision of one of our experienced instructors.
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Thanks to going through modules with various leading instructors you will have a chance to observe different styles, pick the elements you like and incorporate them in your teaching. You will be moved from module to module when the Instructors with whom you team-taught decide you are ready. You will start getting student certifications, however, it is not a guarantee you will get the 25 required to earn the MSDT rating.
Other PRO courses
Payment & Cancellation
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To reserve your spot: A non-refundable deposit is due with your booking.
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Full payment deadline: Due 6 weeks prior to the program start date.
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Payment options accepted:
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PayPal (added 5% fee is paid by student)
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Cash (US dollars or Mexican pesos). Please contact us prior to payment for the current conversion rate to avoid shortages and extra fees.
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National bank transfer via one of our bank accounts (Mexican, Australian, Swedish, Polish, Canadian) - allow minimum 3 banking days for transfers. International transfer might be possible, allowed up to 5-7 days for international transfer and sender pays any international transfer fees.
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Cancellation Policy & Fees:
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30 or more days prior to arrival: forfeit 30% of the total cost (excluding deposit)
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Less than 30 days prior to arrival: forfeit 60% of the total (excluding deposit)
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Once your course has started: non-refundable
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Read our complete Terms & Conditions for more details
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All PADI course certifications are performance-based and require completing and passing all the course components. You are not entitled to any refund if you are unable to adequately pass all course components.
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PADI fees vary depending on the course (payable to PADI by credit card).
Register for other PRO courses
Are you ready to be an instructor?
Did you read all the details above?
Are you stoked to take your professional dive career deeper?
Let's get you on the calendar!
Here is a rough look at your registration process so you know what to expect.
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Select the Instructor Development package right for you based on experience and budget.
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Fill out the form at the button below. This information will be sent to Cozumel Dive School and you'll be working with Ken to coordinate the details of your training.