Instructor Development Course (IDC) Questions
About The IDC:
The Full IDC is 14 days.
Blue Magic includes 2-day Skills Review beforehand at no charge.
After completing the IDC PADI conducts a two day Instructor Examination (IE)
If you are only becoming an Assistant Instructor, then you just need five days.
Blue Magic is a real dive shop with real divers and real students. We teach and train more divers than any shop on Cozumel. This assures that you get to work with “real students” not another instructor role-playing. Although role-playing has some value occasionally, one just cant fake a new divers reactions.
Cozumel is a considered one of the absolute best places to dive. Ever since Jacques Cousteau himself discovered the amazing reefs and biodiversity of the Island, Cozumel has been on every divers list. With crystal clear warm water and a constant current Cozumel offers 30+ (100feet) meters of visibility and a reef chock-full of life.
During the IDC you will be in the water most days learning how to teach, and to develop your skills.
Yes, we encourage you to stay and use the skills you learned. Join our MSDT program to gain the most experience!!
Javier Agudo and Monica, our resident Course Directors, will oversee all your training and activities. You will also be diving with other members of the BMS Go Pro team
Other than diving the crystal clear, Blue Magic waters of the Caribbean, hanging out at shop BBQ’s and learning about the Blue Planet there are a plethora of activities on the Island including kayaking, sailing, Jet Skis, para-sailing, snorkeling, beaches, Tennis, gyms, amazing food, cool bars, holding hands with a new friend……..you get the idea.
Group size depends on the time of year but we limit each class size to eight. The dynamic of the program depends on its constituents. Having colleagues and partners in crime makes training fun and your time here worthwhile.
Because we are the best. We are the only Internship Program based in a real dive shop, we own our own fleet of boats making daily trips and because we are the best Instructor Development Center in Cozumel and the Riviera Maya.
We got you covered! If you have your own gear, great, bring it along, if not, included in your internship is free use of all the dive gear you need: BCD, Regulator, Mask, Finns & Snorkel, even a wetsuit!!
In addition to your passion, PADI Standards state that each Instructor must have the following items:
- Standard (Linear /Table version) RDP+Instructions for use
- Pocket Mask
- Divers tool, or knife
- Compass
- Timing Device, (Watch or Computer)
- Signaling Device, DSMB and Reel
These items can be purchased before you arrive , or on the Island after your arrival. These are considered "must have" items and are essential for professional divers, enabling them to do their jobs safely and effectively.
About Accommodation
Yes!!! All our Divemaster candidates are housed in our “ GoPRO house” which is located inside Blue Magic Hostel and just a 5-minute walk to the dive center.
You will be sharing a room with one other same gender person. Each room shares a bathroom with modern conveniences, hot water and good water pressure!
Our GoPROhouse has broadband internet with Wi-Fi access throughout the house. So does our dive shop.
There are three laundry services within a 5 minute walk. Typically they charge about US$1.00. Drop of in the morning, pick up in the afternoon, cleaned, fluffed and folded.
Yes, our interns house is very safe as is the island as a whole Forget what you hear on TV, Mexico, especially Cozumel is very safe!!!
.Our GoPRO house is about a 5 minute walk from our Dive Center, a 5 minute walk from the central plaza and 5 minutes away from a hundred restaurants and bars.
No, if you prefer to stay elsewhere, you can.
We like for all our DM candidates to stay together, not only does it help in bonding as a group and creating life-long friendships, it also allows each candidate to learn from the rest of the group’s experiences.
If you prefer to stay elsewhere, let us know, we might be able to help you find something suitable.
About Cozumel & Mexico:
US, Canada and most European citizens will receive entry visas for up to six months upon arrival in Mexico. If you are from other countries, or are not sure please check with your country’s foreign office or with the Mexican Embassy in your capitol city.
Mexico is a safe place to visit despite what CNN and the BBC might have you believe. Plus, don’t forget that what they are talking about is happening in the north of the country, about 3000 kilometers (about 1800 mile) away. It’s important to respect the rules and the law and then trouble is extremely unlikely to find you. Cozumel is one of the most secure places in Mexico, you can walk any street here anytime of the day or night!
ATM’s are usually the best way to go. You can withdraw local Mexican pesos at the best possible rate, generally with just the same low transaction fee you pay at home. Please double check with your bank. Additionally, you can get cash advances from you credit card at most banks. Western Union transfers are also available.
Everybody has different spending habits. You will be surprised how inexpensive things are here compared to home. We generally recommend about US$500 per month. Your mileage will vary.
Check with your carrier. If coming from the US, many carriers offer to add Mexico for as little as $5 per month. European carriers may or may not be able to offer similar. Free Wi-Fi is available at our GoPRO house, the dive shop as well as most restaurants and stores, allowing you to use such free call services such as What’s App or Skype.
A local cell phone can be bought for about US$25 and calls cost about 5 cents a minute.
Shorts, tee-shirts and sandals are what most people wear each and every day, it rains sometimes so wet weather gear / footwear is a must. In addition to your clothes and toiletries, bring whatever makes you comfortable. Laptops are a huge asset during training and for your social life. iPods, Tablets, cameras, phones and all the usual stuff you take with you on your travels. If you forget something, no worries there is almost nothing you cannot get here.