Platinum Course Director Shayne: How to Be Prepared for an IDC Nusa Lembongan
The PADI instructor development course, IDC Nusa Lembongan is a big step for a career in the diving industry. As a candidate, you want to be prepared for the course. Obviously, you want to know who your course director is. We spoke to our platinum course director Shayne Ng about all the things you need to know for your IDC in Bali.
How long have you been a course director?
I became a course director in 2018 and in 2019 I got my platinum certification.
What do you like most about your job?
Before I became a course director I was teaching many divemasters. I loved to see them grow and I wanted to take it a bit further. Being a mentor for people and help them become better was the main target. Simply teaching people and see their progress makes me happy.
How students should prepare themselves for the IDC Nusa Lembongan in Bali?
Make sure you are familiar with the dive theory. As soon as you sign up for the IDC, we provide you with materials to study. Additionally, I recommend to complete the workbook, go through some test exams and knowledge reviews. Couple with watching the teaching videos to refresh your skills.
If your dive knowledge is okay then focus on practicing the skill circuit. Even dry practice helps. Just stand in front of a mirror. We will repeat all skills during the IDC. So it´s good to know the steps and signals.
What is the advantage of doing the IDC Nusa Lembongan with you at Legend Diving?
I put all my passion for teaching. My goal is to help people become excellent dive instructors. I do not like to stress the candidates out during the instructor course. But I´m pretty straightforward and I always explain my expectations. However, we do not forget to make some jokes in between.
My courses are always a bit different. I integrate a lot of practical lessons. We repeat the skill circuit and the rescue exercises and do dry lessons of open water sessions. And on top, my candidates can do workshops for sidemount, freediving, and adaptive techniques. Besides, I want to help them to find their interests or specialties in diving.
Legend Diving is the perfect place for me to do the PADI IDC Nusa Lembongan. As can be seen, the facilities and the atmosphere are great. We have everything we need for all the workshops. The staff is very helpful. Legend Diving offers also optional workshops for the candidates. An interesting one is the coral propagation course of Ocean Quest and Sea Shepherd.
Every IDC candidate gets 10 free fun dives to do before and after the instructor development course. The diving in Nusa Lembongan, Bali is amazing. Between July and October, we can see Molas here and Mantas rays are around Nusa Penida all year-round. And Legend Diving offers a special MSDT package to complete right after the IDC.
What is the difference between IDC and MSDT?
MSDT means Master Scuba Diver Trainer and it´s the next level after open water scuba instructor. To become an MSDT, you need to be certified as an instructor for 5 specialties, and 25 certifications are required. In the IDC, I offer you a few specialties to try. Altogether, there´s a workshop for sidemount, freediving, and adaptive techniques for example. Candidates can get a better feeling of what they like.
Why is it good to do Instructor and MSDT together?
It is definitely helpful to do the MSDT course together with the PADI IDC Nusa Lembongan. As a dive instructor without any specialties, you are not allowed to teach specialties until you have 25 certifications. As an MSDT you can teach your 5 specialties straight away. Additionally, it´s a lot easier to find a job in a dive centre, as they often require MSDT and certain specialties.
What specialties do you recommend doing for your MSDT?
Totally depending on where you want to work and on your interests. Choose specialties that are sellable and doable in your region. The nitrox specialty is useful almost everywhere. The same goes for the deep specialty. Here in Nusa Lembongan, it´s useful to have the drift specialty because we always have currents here in our dive sites. If you are in a place with wrecks, the wreck specialty or DPV (diver propulsion vehicle) might be a good idea.
A bit more special are the sidemount or self-reliant specialties. A sidemount course is for people who are a bit more interested in technical diving. Self-reliant courses are for people who want to dive independently. For example, underwater photographers. You will definitely stand out when you can teach these specialties.
The adaptive techniques specialty is also very interesting. You learn how to teach and help people with disabilities, phobias, or anxiety. It´s a great feeling to support people who need more help. You will get a lot of gratitude.
What other things do you like apart from teaching and diving?
I love to go freediving with friends and I like traveling and hiking. I´m an island person. When I´m at home, I like to play with my crazy little cat Pupidoo or I read a lot of books. But I also like to try new things. For example, sky diving is on my list.
Thank you for the interview, Shayne!
About Shayne
Shayne started scuba diving in 2003 when a friend of hers had a last‐minute plan to take his open water course in Indonesia. For the last 10 years, she has been working as a full-time instructor. She did her IDC staff instructor course with Mark Soworka in 2009 and became a Course Director in 2018. With more than 1,000 certifications, all over southeast Asia, she is now working with us at Legend Diving as our Platinum Course Director.
