Instructor Development
With two full time PADI Course Directors on permanent staff, we have the flexibility to schedule instructor courses around your timetable. Both our Course Directors are not only experienced in PADI programmes and philosophies, but they have also set up dive centres themselves and can advise on any aspect of the dive industry.
Our training is conducted at our own open water site so there are no additional site fees incurred; granting us unlimited access to open water training. With well over 150 instructor courses conducted each year and a 100% pass rate to boot, we can guarantee that you'll receive a professional and successful instructor learning experience.
We offer a full Instructor support package through our 'Liquid Gold' programme to help you succeed as an independent instructor. This includes access to required documentation, servicing courses, PADI products at the highest level and preferential accounts with all major equipment suppliers.
Go Pro with us...
- Divemaster
- AI
- OWSI
- IDC
- EFR/CFC Instructor
- MSDT to Master Instructor
- Ultimate IDC
Divemaster Internship - £450
Whether you eventually plan to become a fully-fledged Open Water Scuba Instructor or simply want to work part-time on a dive boat or resort, the Above & Below Divemaster Internship is for you. We’ll make it easy for you to take the first step in your dive career by providing you Personalised Training, books and study aids, all for one low price.
During your Divemaster Internship, you’ll work closely with a PADI Instructor to expand your dive knowledge and hone your skills as you become a professional. PADI Divemaster Training develops your leadership abilities by teaching you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers.
What can PADI Divemasters do?
• Work at local dive centres, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations
• Assist PADI Instructors with students
• Lead PADI Scuba Divers on guided dive tours
• Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers
• Teach PADI Discover Snorkelling programs
• Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
• Lead certified divers on Discover Scuba Diver trips (after successful completion of DSD training.)
• Teach Emergency First Response programs after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course.
Divemaster & Instructor Manual
Encyclopedia Of Recreational Diving --Enhanced DVD version available at no extra charge!
Diving Knowledge Workbook
Divemaster Slates
Unlimited Diving! – Free membership, entry fees and air at Blue Lagoon - our open water dive site
Special in-store discounts.
Free entry to Blue Lagoon
Free tea and coffee
Free compressed air on site
Flexible schedule to fit in with your calendar
Above & Below 2010 Promotion - Free Bonus!! -- Divemaster Enhanced Learning Package
Go beyond the basics of diving to become a truly experienced instructor with Above & Below' Divemaster Enhanced Learning Package. This special package allows you free training for any speciality course (you just pay for your PADI certification fees and any manuals required) is included free if you pay in full upon enrolment.
Cost: £450.00
Duration: Approx 3 month internship
Assistant Instructor - £80
The AI course is open to Divemasters and allows a person to assist in teaching. It also allows you to teach academic portions of PADI courses and evaluate students for some water skills. A valuable course for those intending to become instructors.
The course builds on your abilities to organise and supervise dive activities while concentrating on developing teaching skills and teaching PADI programmes. It also familiarises you with the structure of the dive industry and provides basic marketing ideas, sales philosophy and legal and risk management techniques.
Theory – 2 days
Skills Development – 2 Afternoons / heated swimming pool
1 days diving
Open Water Entry Fees to Blue Lagoon Included
Cost: £80.00
Duration: 4 days
Please note that IDC materials are an additional cost. These are priced at £375 (normally £520) for anyone on our programmes. You will be required to pay your own PADI fees as well.
Open Water Scuba Instructor - £100
The OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor) programme is designed to prepare PADI Assistant Instructors to become PADI Instructors. You will learn how to teach in the classroom, pool and open water environments and you will also learn how to effectively use PADI’s teaching aids and instructional support material. When you complete your PADI Open Water Instructor course you will be ready to take the Instructor Exam.
The OWSI course is open to already qualified Assistant Instructors.
4 days theory
Skills Development – 2 Afternoons / heated swimming pool
Open Water Diving – 2 Days
Open Water Entry Fees to Blue Lagoon Included
Cost £100.00
Duration: 5 days
Please note that IDC materials are an additional cost. These are priced at £375 (normally £520) for anyone on our programmes. You will be required to pay your own PADI fees as well.
IDC Package - £150
The PADI Instructor Development Programme (IDC) prepares you to function as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. It further develops your leadership and teaching abilities to an instructor level and prepares you to teach PADI programmes.
Our IDC package includes:
PADI Assistant Instructor
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Benefits of our IDC include:
Theory – 6 days
Skills Development – 4 Afternoons / heated swimming pool
Open Water Diving – 5 Days
Open Water Entry Fees to Blue Lagoon Included
Cost: £150.00
Duration: 9 days
Please note that IDC materials are an additional cost. These are priced at £375 (normally £520) for anyone on our programmes. You will be required to pay your own PADI fees as well.
Pre-requisite: PADI Divemaster and EFR & EFR Care for Children Instructor
EFR and EFR Care for Children Instructor - £100
The EFR and Care for Children Instructor course will allow you to be an all-round dive professional who can cover all elements of the Rescue Diver course. It will also show a higher duty of care for your courses and is mandatory when sitting the IE from April 2009.
Theory – 1 day
Skills Development – 1 day in classroom
EFR Instructor manuals included
Cost: £100.00
Duration: 2 days
Please note: You will be required to pay your own PADI fees.
MSDT to Master Instructor
Go Further: Become a Master Scuba Diver Trainer or IDC Staff Instructor
In today’s competitive dive market – as it is any field – the more qualified you are, the better your job prospects will be. If you’re a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (or considering becoming one), the easiest way to enhance your marketability is to get certified to teach PADI specialty courses and even the Instructor Development Course.
Above & Below offers Master Scuba Diver Trainer and IDC Staff Instructor upgrades that will give you more experience and a better chance for a great jobs. Anyone who has undergone their Instructor Development Course through Above & Below and subsequently passed their Instructor Exam is eligible to enter our Instructor Mentoring Program.
This is free to all our instructors and involves ‘hands on’ practical application as a PADI Instructor under the direct supervision of a senior member of Above & Below’s teaching staff, allowing you to gain that important teaching experience in a supportive environment.
Initially you will be team teaching Open Water courses following the lead of our senior instructor. When you are ready you will then lead a course with one of our senior instructor’s team teaching in the background. Finally you will lead your own course with the support of staff on site for any questions or help you require. Once you have ‘cut your teeth’ on the Open Water Courses you will have the control in place to progress to the more advanced courses in a similar manner. We also provide quarterly ‘one to one’ sessions with our course director for all teaching staff, complemented by our own on site Member Forum from PADI each year to ensure that your progression as an instructor is always on track!
Ultimate IDC - £350
Our flagship instructor course will not only increase your knowledge to instructor level covering all core PADI courses up to Divemaster, it also includes five PADI Instructor Speciality courses. Along with the EFR & EFR CFC Instructor our Ultimate IDC package increases your confidence and marketability as a PADI Instructor.
Our Ultimate IDC package includes:
PADI Assistant Instructor
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
5 x PADI Speciality Instructor Ratings
EFR and EFR Care for Children Instructor (including instructor manuals)
Benefits of our IDC include:
Theory – 6 days
Skills Development – 4 Afternoons / heated swimming pool
Open Water Diving – 5 Days
Open Water Entry Fees to Blue Lagoon Included
Cost: £350.00
Duration: 12 days
Please note that IDC materials are an additional cost. These are priced at £375 (normally £520) for anyone on our programmes. You will be required to pay your own PADI fees as well.
