My journey in scuba diving started in October 2022 with a phone call to Bespoke Scuba diving. I immediately felt like I had made the right choice in contacting this club as Paul the PADI #Coursedirector came across friendly and encouraging and we hit it off right from the start. My intention was to complete my Open Water diver course so that I could dive on my upcoming honeymoon to Mexico in December. I thought it would stop there and just how I wrong I was, was soon to be discovered.
After what seemed like a whirlwind of a year in 2023, completing many courses and battling through some tough personal issues, I found myself at the back end of the Divemaster course and certified at the end of January 2024. Something seemed to change in me during my Divemaster course and after leading one of my last open water dives of the year I was overcome with a feeling of desire to step forward and take on the challenge of becoming an instructor. I truly felt the #padipro that my #divemaster course made #ME!
I had been given so much from Paul and the team at #Bespoke, that I felt it was my chance to give something back and help to instill the passion and joy that I had found in diving and being part of such an amazing family, into those that would come to the club in the future.
April 2024 rolled around, and I received my IDC e-learning and crew-pack. After spending some time completing the required sections, feeling quite overwhelmed at times it soon came time for my first session with Paul and a briefing on the #IDC process and what was to come, it seemed like a mountain was put in front of me and with the IE in July I felt like I had a very long way to go. That’s when the work really started.
Over the next 3 months I was surrounded with support and encouragement whilst completing multiple classroom sessions, pool sessions, open water training and lots of home study. After each session I felt my attitude changing and could see my skills developing, bringing me closer to my end goal. There were times that I felt completely useless and stupid and there were times where I felt triumphant and on top of the world. There were also many moments of self-doubt in my own abilities, but these were always swept away by the meaningful conversations with Paul and the complete dedication from him to push me to be the best I can be.
The last couple of weeks before my Exam I heard the words that I longed for the most “Matt, you are ready”. I did not realise until looking back, just how far I had come and that the mountain that was before me at the start of the process had shrunk. Me being me, I still wasn’t convinced of the fact that I wasn't actually ready, and the anxiety crept in again, but after going through Dive theory mock exams, mock standards exams and practice in writing presentations I started to feel a little bit of confidence growing.
July 20th 2024 - #PADI #InstructorsExam ( #IE) - Day 1
It was here! The first day of what could either be a huge achievement or a massive failure. Safe to say the pressure was on, and as I pulled into the grounds of the centre where the exam was to be held, I could feel my anxiety rising and had to keep telling myself that I would be fine and that I had worked hard to get to where I was. As I sat in the classroom for orientation all I found myself focusing on was the word ‘fun’ that was present in all the slides that were being shown and somehow convinced myself that I was going to try to have fun during this process.
Then came the written exams, starting with the PADI standards exam. I was so nervous opening the first page but soon settled in once I realised that I knew how to do this, I knew how to find the answers and got on a roll, quickly finding the information within the instructor manual and answering each question as I went along. It was done, I had finished. I handed over my paper for marking, took a quick break to gather my thoughts and then went back in to start my dive theory exam.
Once again, I sat with the nervous anxiety, filling in my name and information at the top of the sheet and opening the first page to start working through the questions. The realisation hit me that all the time I had spent going over and over these subjects, completing mock exam after mock exam had really made a difference. Every question that came up I felt I knew the answer, the confidence was coming back again and before I even had a chance to think about it, I was standing up, walking over to the examiner and handing in my paper. The next 5 minutes felt like an eternity as I awaited the result and to my complete surprise I walked back into the room to a smile and the first handshake of the weekend. I was floating. I could not believe that I had completed the first part of the process and got that coveted handshake.
Next was the dreaded Knowledge presentation. I took my time to prepare and filled in all the required information that I would need to present my question. I was first in the exam group to do it, so I got everything I needed and just went for it. Looking back, it’s a bit of a blur, but the next thing I knew I was in receipt of my second handshake of the weekend. Walking out of the classroom, Paul staring at me, the feeling of joy was overwhelming to see the smile on his face after giving him the thumbs up and knowing that the part I was dreading most was completed.
After a nice break and some time to relax we went on to the confined water section of the exam process. All lined up by the pool we were briefed on the layout of the remainder of the day and the skills we would be performing as well as the teaching presentations that we would be completing. I got into the water and it began, the 5 skills were demonstrated and my teaching presentation complete. I received the last handshake of the day and left the pool on a cloud to make my way back to the hotel, complete my prep for the following day and take a well earned break for the evening.
July 21st 2024 - #PADI #InstructorsExam ( #IE) - Day 1
Once I arrived at Stoney Cove we were briefed on the layout of the day and soon kitted up ready to enter the water. The first skill of the day was rescue exercise 7. This skill I had well and truly drummed into my head and felt confident whilst demonstrating to be met with some encouraging words from the examiner and my 4th handshake of the weekend.
Almost there! We descended onto the platform to complete the last teaching presentation of the weekend. As I watched the other candidates complete theirs I could feel the dreaded anxiety rising once again as it drew closer and closer to my turn. I took the lead and completed my skills whilst keeping a close eye out for mistakes that would require rectifying. The relief once it was done is indescribable but then came the realisation that there was just one last step to take before I would know if I was successful.
The debrief. Once we were de-kitted and dry we were taken up to the bar where we were taken one at a time to complete our debrief of the skills we had performed in the water. I was 4th in line and after seeing the 3 candidates before me walk in smiling and celebrating, I could only hope that what I had done was enough to get me across the finish line. I took a breath and along with my slates walked out to give my debrief. Looking up after my last few words, I saw a smile and a hand extended towards me “Congratulations Matt, you are now a PADI instructor”. What a feeling, I had done it, I had actually done it. I walked in to a huge cheer from the large group of people from the club that had come to support me and a massive smile from Paul followed by hugs all around. I couldn’t believe it was done and that I had made it through. I wanted the feeling to last forever.
After a couple of days to reflect I have looked back on this process and would absolutely recommend anyone to take on the challenge. It is by far one of the most amazing things that I have achieved and an incredible process to go through. It has changed me not only as a diver but as a person and I owe it all to the hard work and dedication of Paul and the team at Bespoke Scuba Diving. #Thankyou for this #experience.
If you want to become a PADI Instructor like me - Contact Paul - #PADIcourseDirector at #bespokescubadiving - My PADI IDC and PADI Instructors Exam - Is done - Let the teaching begin!
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