Yesterday I conducted a PADI Enriched Air Instructor Course and a DSAT Gas Blender Course at Dolphin Dive Fremantle.

Enriched Air is a wonderful tool that allows a diver to get more time on a recreational dive. Enriched Air is a gas used in recreational diving to extend the no stop limits that limit the possible time we can stay underwater. Depending on the particular blend of enriched air and the depth of a dive, it may be possible to get more than 50% longer on a dive.

As with most good things in life, there are tradeoffs. In particular, the increased oxygen in enriched air can present a possible hazard if dived deeper than the maximum depth for a given blend.

The PADI Enriched Air Instructor Course teaches the PADI Instructor how to conduct this course, and provides a lot of tips and tricks about how to get the information across to the student diver. While not a difficult course, there are some particulars that can help deliver the information in a meaningful and simple way.

In order to be able to dive with enriched air someone has to blend the gas. Working with oxygen under high pressure has certain hazards, and in order to provide the desired blend some basic procedures need to be adhered to. The DSAT Gas Blender Course is the perfect option to give an indepth introduction to the production of enriched air. Every enriched air instructor should have this qualification so that they can properly explain the procedures to their students, and also so they can be a valuable member of the dive centre team.

The PADI Instructor Exam is now underway in Sydney. There are 10 candidates in all, with Matt, John and Flavio having completed their PADI Instructor Development Course at United Divers Wollongong.

All have done well so far in completing their theory exams, and I wish them all the best of success in the remainder of the weekend.

The PADI/DSAT TecRec blog can now be accessed by visiting http://www.PADI.com/tecrecblog

The Technical Diving Division (TDD) of PADI/DSAT, creators of the TecRec range of technical diving training programs, has launched a new blog called DSAT Chat.

It seems that DSAT Technical Diving Division is gearing up for something, with new appointments of some key people in the senior hierarchy of PADI/DSAT into key positions.

On 30 March, United Divers Wollongong and PADI are hosting an information evening to discuss career opportunities in the recreational diving industry.

Join us as we discuss the opportunities that await, and the process of how you become a PADI Instructor.

Over the past couple of days I’ve conducted an Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor Course and a PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor Course at Indepth Scuba in Batemans Bay.

These programs developed the ability of the candidates to teach first and CPR courses for laypeople, as well as the ability to teach basic oxygen provision skills for divers and non-divers.

EFR Courses are quite unique as they are specifically targeted at the layperson, and provide a simple and effective approach towards managing the lifeline of an injured or ill person.  With the option of incorporating an orientation to AED usage, EFR Courses represent the latest in first aid training.

Congratulations to Guy and Lara for becoming EFR Instructors and PADI Emergency Oxygen Specialty Instructors.  Additional kudos to Guy who also completed the requirements to become an EFR First Aid at Work Instructor, allowing him to teach a workplace ready first aid/CPR program that is aligned to Nationally Recognised Training standards for the unit of competence HLTFA301B: Apply First Aid.

A new program in 2009 is a live-in IDC at Indepth Scuba Batemans Bay.  The program consists of a 9-day fulltime PADI Instructor Development Course, with the candidates and the Course Director staying together at Indepth Scuba’s terrific lodge in Batemans Bay.

Our first program had four candidates, with two from Canberra (the location of Indepth Scuba’s main store), one from Batemans Bay and one from Merimbula.  The four candidates – Guy, Josh, Lara and Gareth (Gaz) – worked hard throughout the program, and went on to successfully complete the first PADI Instructor Exam conducted in Batemans Bay.

Congratulations to Guy, Gaz, Josh and Lara, pictured at right with Brigit Jager (PADI Instructor Examiner) and Des Paroz (Course Director) at the successful conclusion of their IE.

The next live-in IDC is scheduled for Batemans Bay in September 2009.

Congratulations to John Chichkan who successfully completed the PADI Instructor Exam in Sydney on 14 September.

John had undertaken the IDC at United Divers in April/May, but held off on doing the IE due to conflicts with his university studies.

John did well at the IE, and will now be joining the instructional team at United Divers.

John undertook the IDC on a part time format, which fitted in well with his lifestyle – he works fulltime in marketing, is completing post-graduate studies at university, and is a husband and father.

Congratulations to John on becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor

A part time IDC ran in June and July, commencing on 7 June, and concluding with the PADI Instructor Exam in Sydney on 19/20 July.

There were two candidates, both of whom completed the IDC with flying colours.

Edwin Kwan (in the centre of the picture) was a PADI Divemaster who works as a computer programmer in Wollongong.  A keen rock climber, Edwin is also learning to fly.  His passion for adventure is certainly going to stand him in good stead as a PADI Instructor.  Edwin undertook the IE in Sydney, and made us proud with his excellent results.

Phil Crowder (at left) was a former PADI Instructor who was originally certified as an instructor in the warm Carribean waters of Utila whilst on a world tour.  A teacher and keen surfer, Phil undertook the IDC in order to regain his PADI Instructor qualifications.  Phil was not required to do the IE, so upon successfully completing this program, he has met the training requirements to regain teaching status.

Not pictured was Richard Funston, a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer who is undertaking his training to become a PADI IDC Staff Instructor.  Due to teaching schedule’s and other commitments, Richard is completing his IDC Staff Instructor training over two Instructor Development Courses.

Congratulations to Edwin and Phil on their achievements, and best wishes to both of you in your future careers as PADI Instructors.  I am sure you’ll both be successful in the paths you are charting for yourselves.

Teddy Haryjanto, a successful candidate on United Divers’ first PADI Instructor Development Course, successfully completed his PADI Instructor Examination in Sydney on 26 May 2008.

On behalf of United Divers and myself, I’d like to congratulate Teddy on his outstanding efforts, and his his dedication and focus during the program.

We wish Teddy all the best in his future as a dive instructor, and look forward to diving with him again soon.

John, the other candidate on our first IDC, has elected to undertake the IE next time round due to study and work commitments.

The next PADI Instructor Development Course at United Divers will commence on 7 June 2008. Our programs are conducted over 10 days to allow candidates plenty of time to move through the program with minimal stress. Our programs also include a FREE PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor training course.

For more information about PADI Instructor Courses at United Divers, please contact us.