PADI Course Director Nancy, originally from Germany, has lived Dahab for the last 16 years. These 16 years have all been spent establishing herself in the professional diving industry. From the very beginning of her instructorial career her ambition was always to become a PADI Course Director and teach the full range of Instructor-level courses. Since then, Nancy has worked on more than 50 IDCs and assisted more than 700 candidates in realizing their dream of becoming a PADI diving instructor

“Not only because of her experience or knowledge, Nancy is aextremely professional Course Director. With her unbelievable amount of energy, enthusiasm, humour and patience, she is a great leader of your IDC team.” – PADI Course Director Dave Johnson

Nancy has also been recognized by PADI for her translation work on the PADI Course Director Training Courses in Malaysia, as she speaks German, English and Arabic. In 2007 the Red Sea magazine, H2O, acknowledged Nancy’s outstanding commitment to instructor education by publishing an article highlighting Nancy’s extraordinary work rate, as in 2006, she taught the highest number of IDC candidates in the Sinai.

For the last four consecutive years Nancy has been awarded the status of Platinum Course Director by PADI for her outstanding contribution to pro level diver education. Less than 50 Course Directors worldwide have achieved this status. Maximum group size during Nancy’s IDC’s are 6 candidates. This offers a perfect learning environment, and beside this her IDC’s are evenly spread over twelve days.

This will guaranty a low stress environment for the candidates with time for extra workshops in the water or for theory workshops if the need should arise. Nancy works with a very individual approach to each candidate and she constandly adapts her training methods to encompass their diversity. During the IDC’s her team of very experienced IDC Staff Instructors support her IDC’s in English. German and Arabic.
Nancy has received the Platinum Course Director status from PADI headquarters. This status has been achieved by less than 50 Course Directors worldwide.

Please check

http://www.nancy-idc.com

Peter is owner and director of Abyss Scuba Diving which is located in the middle of Sydney’s best dive sites. Peter has developed this once small family dive business to now be Sydney’s leading PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, which has shown continual growth and popularity every year for the past 10 years.

Peter has shaped Abyss Scuba Diving to reflect his professional attitude towards diving; resulting in Abyss Scuba Diving receiving countless dive industry awards. In 2007, Peter accepted on behalf of Abyss Scuba Diving, “The Most Outstanding PADI Dive Centre in Asia Pacific”, which is highest industry award received by any training facility in New South Whales. This truly reflects the quality of training Peter delivers.

Abyss Scuba Diving has also dominated the Australia diving industry, receiving the awards for the ‘Best Australian Dive Centre’ and ‘Most Outstanding Oceanic Dealer in Australia’ every year for 4 years in a row. It is through Peters business savvy that he has developed Abyss Scuba Diving into a world renowned training facility that is always at the forefront of technologies and training techniques.

In 2006, PADI CEO Drew Richardson personally commended Peters professionalism, by giving him the prestigious award for his “Outstanding Contributions to the Dive Industry”.

In 2008, after 15 years of contributions to the diving industry, Peter also accepted the highly acclaimed “Diving for Tomorrow – Training Innovation” award at the annual PADI members awards ceremony in LasVegas, USA. Peter was the first person ever to be given this award.

Peter has also been recognized at Instructor Development Level this year receiving the Gold PADI Course Director Rating for 2010 – 2011. Peter now belongs to an elite group worldwide that have received this rating.

Peter’s Instructor Programs reflect his own professionalism and expertise, giving candidates not only a broad knowledge of the diving industry, but a professional and solid grounding in which to begin their career in diving.

For more information on GoPRO PADI training at Abyss Scuba Diving please visit: http://www.abyss.com.au/productcart/pc/Diving-Career-c79.htm

Training divers in all levels of PADI courses and after gaining over a decade of industry related experience, Carl was awarded the prestigious PADI Course Director rating by James Morgan, the Vice President of PADI World Wide, at the exclusive Course Director Training Course in Malaysia.

Working side by side with PADI Course Director Peter Letts in delivering Divemaster, Instructor Development and Internship Programs, Abyss Scuba Diving became the only PADI Career Development Centre in New South Whales.

Carl’s passion for the environment led him to start an environmental group called Botany Bay Watch. Together with PADI Asia Pacific, Carl development a unique PADI specialty course to teach divers about the environment and what steps they can take to protect it. Carl’s efforts were quickly recognized by Australia’s Federal Government, with him receiving special recognition to continue his work working with the community on environmental issues within his local area.

In 2006, Carl was promoted to Careers Development Manager at Abyss Scuba Diving where he further developed their Dive Internship Program, allowing him to reach a broader range of GoPRO candidates and setting Abyss Scuba Diving up as Sydney’s premier PADI instructor training facility.

The high point of Carl’s career was when fellow PADI Course Director Peter Letts accepted on behalf of all the Abyss Staff Members the prestigious “Most Outstanding PADI Dive Centre in Asia Pacific” award, which is highest industry award received by any training facility in New South Whales.

In recent years, Abyss Scuba Diving has continued to dominated the Australian diving industry, receiving the awards for the ‘Best Australian Dive Centre’ and ‘Most Outstanding Oceanic Dealer in Australia’ every year for the last 4 years. This is a true reflection of Carl’s professional attitude towards the diving industry and instructor development.

Carl is one of the youngest PADI Course Directors in Asia Pacific, which gives him a unique teaching style that is extremely receptive by all ages of candidates. He brings fun and excitement into the IDC program, while ensuring that professionalism and a serious attitude is always paramount.

As Careers Development Manager of Abyss Scuba Diving, Carl will not only be able to prepare you to become a fantastic PADI Instructor, but he will be able to give you ongoing career advice. Carl has also developed an ongoing Job Placement service for all Abyss trained candidates, helping them find work when they become certified.

It is through teaching close to 1000 student divers, that Carl has extensive teaching experience and knowledge and you can definitely see his passion for the sport when he delivers his programs.

For more information on going PRO with Carl Fallon at Abyss Scuba Diving please visit: http://www.abyss.com.au/productcart/pc/Diving-Career-c79.htm

PADI Course Director Matt is one of the few Asian based Course Directors to have been selected to attend the prestigious Course Director Training Course at PADI HQ in California.

IDC Schedules…

Matt originally joined Crystal Dive in 1999 and quickly became Head Instructor at the resort.

Teaching all levels of PADI courses and building up an extensive knowledge of the local dive scene, Matt became Operations Manager in 2003, quickly developing the Resort into a 5 Star Instructor Development Center.

During this period he worked alongside some of the region’s leading Course Directors giving him a unique insight into various teaching styles within PADI IDC’s.

Boasting a wealth of teaching experience throughout the PADI System, Matt has conducted over 60 PADI IDCs and countless more MSDT Prep & Internship programs, certifying over 1,000 PADI Professionals. He has also certified over 1,500 PADI diver level students.

As well as boasting over 6 years management experience with one of Thailand’s premier scuba diving operations, Matt has 18 Instructor Trainer Specialty ratings as well as being an EFR Primary, Secondary and Care for Children Instructor Trainer.

Matt is also the only Koh Tao Course Director to attend the 3 Day 2005 PADI Business of Diving Seminar’s, an exclusive PADI Developmental program aimed at the industry’s business leaders.

As Crystal grew in popularity, Matt employed an Operations Manager and moved into a new position, concentrating more on the business side, answering e-mails, devising new marketing strategies as well as new educational initiatives such as the introduction of the Environmental & Conservation curriculum and Technical diving at Crystal.

He continues to spearhead the Instructor Development Programs at the school working alongside fellow PADI Course Directors Kenji Takahashi & Justin Mayers.

In 2008, after 5 years of hard work both Matt and Crystal began to receive recognition from within the industry. Invited to the Asia Dive Expo in Singapore as a guest speaker at the “Business Solutions for the Future” conference hosted by PADI Asia Pacific Matt was also on hand to receive the prestigious “Diver Training” award on behalf of Crystal Dive Resort who became the first, and to this point only Koh Tao based dive operation ever to win an award at the PADI Members Awards.

Crystal were also finalists in the “Marine Environmental” award & the “Instructor Development” award becoming the first Dive center ever to receive three nominations at one ceremony.

2009 has continued along the same lines as 2008. In January Crystal Dive won the Project AWARE Worldwide Environmental Achievement Award, presented annually by Project AWARE a nonprofit environmental & conservation organization.

Then in May PADI CEO Drew Richardson visited Koh Tao for the first time to present Matt with the 2009 PADI Asia Pacific Members Diver Retention award. This award recognizes a dive centers success and popularity in retaining student divers due to high levels of training standards & service.

Crystal also received several finalist nominations becoming not just Koh Tao’s most awarded Dive Center but also Thailand’s.

Matt has also been recognised at Instructor Development level this year receiving the Platinum Course Director rating for the third time in succession. He now belongs to an elite group worldwide that have received this accolade three years in succession and currently the only Platinum PADI Course Director on Koh Tao.

For more info, Please visit www.crystaldive.com

Mark originally learned to dive on the Great Barrier Reef whilst backpacking around Australia. That was it. He was hooked on diving. So following completion of his university studies worked his way up to PADI Instructor, diving in many countries including Australia, Kenya, Spain, Malaysia, Croatia and Thailand.

After this Mark worked in Thailand, teaching dving courses and working his way up the PADI ladder towards the rating of PADI Course Director which he earned in 2008 at the age of 25 becoming one of the youngest Course Directors in the world. He followed this with a stint as a Course Director in the Red Sea working in the resort of Hurghada, Egypt before returning to Thailand in 2009 to work in Phuket. In the past few years Mark has worked with hundreds of students on IDC’s to help them in their goal of becoming PADI Instructors.

“The bonus of what we do is the fact that we get to train people to become professionals in something they love. I remember the great feeling when I became a PADI Instructor and it is great to be able to enable more people to have that experience and give them that ability to pass on diving to more people”

Mark also has set another landmark. On land at least Mark is confined to a wheelchair following an accident (Non-diving related) in 2005 when Mark was working in Thailand. He is the first and only wheelchair user to achieve the rating of PADI Course Director putting him into the top 1% of PADI Instructors.

“The great thing about scuba diving,’ says Mark, ‘is that it offers someone like myself a chance to throw off those constraints that I have on land in to an environment where I am the same as everyone else in the water. The only difference is that I swim with my arms rather than my legs.”

As goes Mark’s own personal interests in diving any time he is in the water then he is happy, but he loves wreck diving, underwater photography and especially diving with the bigger marine life. He is always on the look out for more courses to do and has started his Semi-Closed Rebreather training to add another part of diving to his dive cv. Outside of diving Mark’s loves to travel and experience new places and cultures as well as chilling out reading and following sports.

Mark’s philosophy on IDC’s is not to prepare you just to pass the exam but to come out as a good Instructor. A relaxed atmosphere is also crucial to getting you through the process of an IDC and he can also tell you that you should have great fun on your program. IDCs are about learning so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. We can sort them out!

Mark also can include on the IDC package a chance to do International Association for Handicapped Divers (IAHD) Instructor training thus giving you the knowledge about teaching the handicapped to dive and adding another item to your instructor repertoire. It is an extremely rewarding course which being taught by someone who is actually a wheelchair user will give you a really hands on experience.

For Pro-level courses Mark offers PADI IDC’s, Assistant Instructor Courses, PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor, IDC Staff Instructor and IAHD Instructor. Or you can combine these in an internship option.

Certification Levels

* PADI Course Director
* EFR Instructor Trainer
* EFR Care for Children Instructor Trainer
* IAHD (Handicapped Divers) Instructor Trainer
* PADI Specialty Instructor Trainer
* DAN Oxygen Provision Instructor
* TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver

For more info, Please visit www.phuketschoolofscuba.com

Well…it’s a long story ….I’ll try to make it short!

After several years of seasonal working in the Mediterranean sea in 1995 I decided to visit Sharm ! ..everyone ,I mean clients and colleagues , were telling me “have you ever dived in the red sea? …You will love it! “

… I was very curious …so in one of my breaks from university I decided to get a flight …and without any pre-employment I landed in Sharm el Sheikh … after some days of job research and several days on the boat learning the different dive spots and the different way of working I finally found work as a free lance !

It was like being in paradise … warm water , nice people , beautiful dives ! … so I started meeting people and “building connections” … My “enterprising ” nature made me get nice deals with some diving centers in Sharm … and once back home in Italy I was arranging diving groups ….twice a year I was traveling to Sharm doing some dives… having fun … and getting paid !!  not bad for a university student!!

My main objective at that time was to finish the university but … during a Tourism Show in Milan while walking with some friends through the booth of Egypt… we got in contact with the GM of an  hotel “under construction” in Sharm…of course the first question was “do you have a Diving Center inside the resort??”  The GM was surprised…. a diving center was something new to him … but he was quite interested! … after faxes on faxes with proposals , Cvs etc etc … it was during one of my “diving group trips” that we decided to go and see the  GM personally … he was even more surprised to see us in his hotel … I think that was the right move … and in may 1998 we finally signed our contract!! In july 1998 I got my PhD in accounting … and in August we finally opened Scubadreamer DC!

After that , it was a continuous growing : the center and me! … Year after year the center was getting bigger, offering better services , “covering” more languages… on my side …I started assisting IDCs to keep myself updated and year after year my diving education was going further and further  … till when I become a Course Director.

2.  What is your attraction with Egypt? What are your favourite things of working in that part of the world?

Yes , you are right it’s an attraction ! I have to admit that at the beginning it was not easy for an “European accountant” to get used to the Arabic mentality/rhythm .. but after a while you start understanding the culture and if you respect the fact that you are “guest” you find the way to fit in it!

The other good things on working here are… first of all the sea (one of the most beautiful places where to dive) then  the weather (always good during the year) ,  the nearness with Europe ,the cost of life , and the fact that you can run a non-season related business!  ….you can easily dive/work all the year around  !

3. Tell us about a normal day during an IDC for Matteo as a Course Director?

Early wake up ! ….I start my day as a Manager… get to the center at 7.00am …make sure everything is sorted for the day , check the mails …. at 8ish I switch to the “CD mode” I prepare the class and the material I need for the idc… at 8.30 we start ..normally with an academic presentation …10.00 coffee break for the candidates .. and a quick look to the diving center operations for me! we normally finish at 12.30 /1.00 … a couple of hours lunch break … and we start the afternoon with the in-water sessions …I realized is the only way to keep candidates awake after lunch! .. back to the classroom until 7.00 pm … then I switch back to “manager mode” …unless there are candidates with special needs …in that case I delay the switch!! After getting updated from my Operation Manager on what happened during the day and the plans for the day after  .. I go home and relax ! I have to admit that during IDCs my “social life” is on low profile ! I normally keep all my energies for the IE parties!!

4. What is more challenging – the role as Manager or Course Director?

both .. and they go together … whenever I teach I try to use my experience as a manager to “pass” useful tips to my candidates … and whenever I manage I try to apply new standards, ideas etc … that came out during a course or an update! ….basically I always need to do something new … and being a course director pushes me to be a better manager and being a manager pushes me to be a better course director!

many times I realized that the needs of a manager are quite different from the request/needs of an instructor .. quite often instructors are forced to do standard violations or dodgy things to make their manager happy or not to lose their job position! … I feel lucky being a “Course Director Manager” !!

5. what is the philosophy behind your PADI IDC courses?

To “create” diving instructors ! … my mission is not just letting my candidates pass the IE … I want them to become professionals … use all my “know how” and my experience to be able to work in any place around the world! … be team players … be responsible …safe and fun !

6. Tell us about Scuba Dreamer and your plans in the next years in the Red Sea?

Scubadreamer is more like a son than an activity for me! I grew it up from “0″ …we started with a low budget in ‘98  and step by step by reinvesting what we were earning we grew it up!  … there was nothing when I started … I was drawing the maps with the engineers … assembling furniture , painting , drilling , welding … a bit of everything  ! … we started with 1 compressor .. few diving sets and few tanks ! That’s the reason why I’m really “attached” to the center.

For the future … is a big question mark! I’m used to think positive … so I keep on planning to grow… I never stopped … and I’m not gonna do it now!

On the other hand I’m realistic …  and I know that everything can easily suddenly finish if the politic situation in “the world” doesn’t reach a stable “buoyancy” !

7. What do you search in future instructors? What will make a great staff instructor?

What I told u before … a good instructor has to be responsible , safe , fun , speak few languages,  be good in “logistics” , be a Team Player and most important “HUMILITY”!! … that what I pretend from my employees !

It’s easy to teach someone to breath underwater … hard to respect the rules of the center, make the operations run smoothly and cooperate with colleagues of different nationality/culture! ..if you can do that you are a professional!

During the pre-employment training, I let the new instructors cover all the different positions/duties …that’s the only way they can learn how to cooperate.

8.  What are you doing when you are not diving?

Any kind of extreme sport ! … at the moment I do kite surfing , free climbing and bike rides in the desert (with my Kawasaki KLX650R!) … and when I can escape from Egypt I go skiing and sailing!

9.  Any advice to people considering doing their PADI IDC or doing a career in diving in the Red Sea?

Just do it! … there is place for everybody … if you are a dynamic person and you like challenges …that’s the place !

few other places around the world allow you to work 365 days a year ..

The only advice…. be prepared to adapt yourself to a different culture …..and you’ll succeed !

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Who knows …. I have few ideas in mind but I’m used to keep my projects secret until I realized them!

I live of objectives …my next one:  the IDC in November!

11. When did you realized you wanted to spend the rest of your life as a diving instructor?

When I was at the University ! … at the beginning diving was an escape … was like an “award” … I was telling myself  “Teo if you do at least 3 exams in this session then you go working 3 months in Egypt rather than Sardegna “

… and it worked .. I was putting a lot of efforts in my studies …because I knew that when that was done I could go diving! … I early realized that’s could be my life … I forgot to tell you that ,at that time , I was working as an accountant in the morning and studying in the afternoon … so I knew what to expect once my studies were completed!

Once you try to work in the diving industry … you quickly realize that be an accountant sitting behind a desk 8hrs a day is not what you willing to do for the rest of your life!

12. What is the thing you miss the most from your home country?

My family:  My parents , my sister , my beautiful niece Beatrice! …my dog !

… and sometimes “italian food” and the snow!

13. What are your diving obsessions? What sort of diving do you like?

I like to explore ! Anything new is exciting for me!

…I like technical diving! … And believe me do technical dives in the red sea with warm water and good visibility is “the bomb”!

... I also do love filming underwater …I founded ScubadreamerVideo .. And when I can , I jump on the boat filming clients .. I’ve been also cooperating  on some small production filming sharks in Sudan and the Great White inSouth Africa …

14. Where do you see the diving industry heading in the next years?

My experience is limited to the Red Sea …But I’m sure that the diving Industry is going to grow!! ..less certified divers doing fun dives ….but , supported by new training materials/standards and new technologies, more and more people are going to enroll in a diving course and start their “diving experience”!

15. At to finish can you describe in a few words why you love so much diving and the underwater world?

It’s the “direct” interaction with the nature … you are not only observing ..you become part of another world … the underwater world!

SCUBADREAMER DIVING COLLEGE – PADI S-7955
C/O  DREAMS BEACHRESORT
Mobile 002.012.3658961
Tel. 002.069.3663992
Fax. 002.069.3660199
e-mail: scubadreamer@sinainet.com.eg
website: www.scubadreamer.com

He started diving some 15 years ago off the coast of Kenya and since then he has dived and worked all around the world from New Zealand to Central America, not forgetting getting wet all around the UK – although he admits to being a warm water diver preferring to don a wet suit to a bulky dry suit!

Since changing his career six years ago to be a full time diving instructor, he has worked at IDC centers around the world including the UK, Gozo, New Zealand, Thailand, Egypt and Central America before deciding it was time, together with his partner Simone, to set up their own business on the sub tropical Canary Island of Lanzarote just off the coast of north Africa. With years of experience and exposure to various locations and dive centres Kev has been able to bring to the business and in particular his IDC’s all the positive aspects and leave behind the negative!

With his various backgrounds both outside and within the dive industry Canary Island Divers is a dive centre people are proud to be associated with and IDC Candidates will go away feeling more than capable to face the real world!

As a small dive centre, Canary Island Divers provide personalised service “small enough to care but experienced enough to matter” and Kev as an active Course Director and owner thus not only teaches professional courses but also all levels from DSD and above – with this continuing all round experience Kev’s IDCs are current and up to date.

You will be surprised to know that Kev’s IDC philosophy is not for you to pass the IE – shock, horror!! – but for you to become a well rounded dive educator who is ready to go into the real world facing real students! Thus we will look during your IDC at Canary Island Divers not only at the theoretical world of diving education but as well at real world teaching issues in readiness for your career in diving beyond the IE. By the way you will be glad to hear, as a by-product this approach makes it far easier to pass the IE!!!

His Qualifications:

Over 3000 logged dives
PADI Course Director
15 Specialty Instructor Trainer ratings
PADI Rebreather Instructor Trainer
EFR Instructor Trainer
DAN Instructor Trainer
DSAT Instructor Trainer

“To all you wanabee Instructors, go on take the plunge I will guarantee you will enjoy the experience and who knows might even learn something along the way.

I won’t kid you any IDC is not easy, it takes dedication, devotion and hard work but at the end you WILL feel it was well worth it and we’ll have a bit of fun along the way.

Being a dive educator was the most challenging and is the most rewarding thing I have done in my life, if you are looking for a reward beyond money, being a PADI Instructor is the job for you. CID Lanza’s motto is “Safety, professionalism, and fun” and that about sums up our IDC.

Where ever you decide to take your IDC I wish you all the very best in your career and happy bubbling!”

Kev Turner
PADI Course Director

For more info, Please visit www.canaryislanddivers.com

Desi completed his CDTC in March 2008 and has already met the PADI Instructor certification level criteria for his Platinum Course Director rating for 2008. As a full time member of staff at Mermaids 5* Career Development Center Desi has been involved in over 25 IDC’s and is able to teach the following Specialty Instructor Ratings.

Deep Diver

Aware Fish ID

Enriched Air Diver

Underwater Navigator

Search and Recovery Diver

Wreck Diver

Night Diver

Drift Diver

Digital Underwater Photography

Multilevel Diver

Boat Diver

Diver Propulsion Vehicle

Dry Suit Diver

Underwater Naturalist

Underwater Videographer

PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider (one of the 1st CD’s in the world to achieve this rating)

Desi also has also completed the DSAT Tec Deep and Trimix Instructor Trainer Course and is an Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer with Care for Children.

Desi is originally from Ireland and has been living in Thailand for 4 years and has dived in many South East Asia locations such as Similans, Philippines, Bali, Malaysia and also in Ireland.

To know more info, Feel free to visit www.learn-in-asia.com

One of the things that Ash is most proud of is the fact that every single graduate of his programs have been able to find suitable employment after graduation. His vast amount of experience in the dive industry has allowed him to network with potential employers throughout the Caribbean from small operators to all inclusive resorts, liveaboards and the cruise ship industry. He’s even got a few former candidates that are working on mega yachts! A job that he wishes he had himself sometimes!

Over the years many instructors that have decided to carry on with their continuing diver’s education and work their way up to Course Director Level have staffed Ash’s IDC programs. In fact, every student that Ash has recommended to PADI to be accepted into their Course Directors programs have been accepted, a testament on its own of the professional level of training that he provides since only about 70 candidates a year world wide are accepted into this program.

As a PADI Course Director Ash can offer you DAN Instructor Trainer, EFR Instructor Trainer, and a choice of 20 specialties to choose from. He is also a volunteer with the “Oceans For Youth” programs and run various programs in conjunction with the “Central Caribbean Marine Institute” located in Little Caymans. You can contact Ash by emailing him at ash@caymandivingcollege.com or phone 345-925-9092

Listen to what some of Ash’s graduates have to say!

“The entire staff made my IDC a wonderful experience. I felt confident as any one could going into my IE. I would recommend this program to anyone serious about becoming an instructor.”

“Overall I found the IDC experience extremely satisfying and educational. Ash brings a tremendous amount of experience to the classroom, both in the business of diving and personal observations of having been heavily involved with the diving industry.”

“After becoming a staff instructor at another location then working with Ash on his IDC programs, it became very clear how much more energy is in his classes. He won’t just let you go on with passing grades but will work with you making sure that you have it all down before moving on to other topics.”

“Ash, I was blown away with all of your specialties instructor programs that you taught me. If I can go away and just implement half of the ideas that you gave to us, then I know that I will be well on my way of being successful in the dive industry.”

PADI IDC Instructor development in Phuket, Thailand: Indepth Instruction with Chris Owen.

Chris is a British national who started diving in the cold waters of England, but who has had the pleasure of living and diving in Asia for the last 12 years.

In 1992 Chris arrived in Thailand and spent a year on the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao before migrating south to the east coast of Malaysia and Tioman Island. After half a year there he returned to Thailand and moved up into the Gulf of Siam where he worked out of Pattaya, a coastal resort two hours south of Bangkok, for the next 6 years, before relocating to Phuket to focus on Instructor Development.

Chris has worked as a Divemaster and trip leader, filling tanks, loading boats, acting as a dive guide all the way through to being a manager of several PADI dive centres and partner and manager of a successful PADI 5* IDC centre in Pattaya and is familiar with most aspects of the business of diving.

Chris has worked extensively in both in the resort “tourist” environment and the “city orientated” environments of Bangkok and Pattaya and is familiar with the benefits and drawbacks of both.

Knowledge drawn from 12 years of working in these fields adds a lot of valuable information to the various business and marketing presentations during the IDC and various career education programs offered by Chris.

Chris has now taught over 55 IDCs, more than 45 as The Course Director, and certified over 600 PADI Instructors to varying levels.

Chris has received a number of Certificates of Recognition of Excellence from PADI – most recently four for his IDC programs (two in 2003 !!) and customer service and also four “Certificates in Recognition of Outstanding performance and support conducting Instructor Development programs”

Apart from being a:

* PADI Course Director
* EFR Instructor Trainer
* EFR for Children Instructor Trainer
* EFR in the Work Place Instructor Trainer
* PADI Specialty Instructor Trainer ( 15 Specialties )
* PADI Rebreather Instructor Trainer
* DAN Instructor Trainer – Oxygen, Hazardous Marine Life Injuries & AED
* DSAT Trimix / EANx Blender Instructor Trainer

Chris is also a qualified Dive Medic Technician on call with the local Hyperbaric Chamber in Phuket.

Chris is also an American Nitrox Divers International (ANDI) level 2 Instructor, Gas Blender and Service Technician.

Currently Chris is working on his Cavern Diver Instructor Trainer rating and is looking forward to teaching this soon – the only problem Chris is having is finding the time to GO DIVE !!!!

To know more info, Feel free to visit www.indepth-instruction.com