Hi, my name is Patrick, I’m 19 years old and I recently completed my PADI Instructor development course and Instructor Exam with Divers Down, located in Ghantoot U.A.E. I have been diving since I was 8 years old and have been actively involved in the diving community since. Before I took my instructor course I completed my full cave diver and assistant instructor certification in Florida, USA. I have been diving all around the world including the clear warm waters of Florida reefs too the dark murky waters of English quarry’s. I chose to do my instructor certification because I want to be in a line of work that I enjoy and one that offers many different experience’s. I found Divers Down when I was on vacation in Fujairah on vacation and did some recreational diving whilst there. The experience and customer service was brilliant and all staff where very knowledgeable. So, when I was looking for Instructor development center I decided upon Divers Down. I Decided to complete the IDC in ten consecutive days as I felt that by getting it done all at once would help prevent any mistakes that might occur during the IE.

During the IDC the Course Director Nicola was Excellent. Extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the entire course. The course was conducted in a sensible and conducive pace/order that allowed me to work through any problems that I had. All lectures and classroom activities were conducted at the Ghantoot marina site so there was no travel or time wasted between morning classroom time and afternoon in water sessions. At the Marina, there was space to keep and dry equipment so there was no need to bring it back and forth from home every day. All of the confined and open water sessions are conducted right there at the marina so there is no reason to travel making the course flow more smoothly and more convenient. Most days during the IDC started with a classroom session in the morning then lunch followed by a confined or open water session in the afternoon. There was always plenty of already certified instructors to step in and lend a hand, acting as students role playing scenarios.

As a whole, the IDC experience at Divers Down was amazing.  The staff and especially Nicola my course director was very friendly and accommodating. I learned how to be an instructor and how to make sure I keep improving, and that wouldn’t have been possible without the skilled instructors that guided me through the IDC and IE. I would recommend Divers Down to anybody that is looking to become a PADI scuba instructor because of the guidance /help that I was given during my time spent there.