You’ve decided to do your IDC. Great. But before you book flights and pack your bags, you need to make sure you actually qualify. PADI has specific prerequisites, and showing up without them means you can’t start.

Here’s everything you need sorted before day one.

Certification Requirements

You must be a PADI Divemaster (or hold an equivalent certification from another recognised agency like SSI, NAUI, or BSAC). If you trained with another agency, you’ll need to complete a PADI Divemaster crossover before the IDC.

You also need Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) certification. Most IDC centres include the EFRI course in their package.

Dive Experience

60 logged dives minimum to start the IDC
100 logged dives minimum to sit the Instructor Exam (IE)

If you’re between 60 and 100 dives, you can start the IDC but you’ll need to build your numbers before the IE. Many centres offer pre-IDC dive packages to help you hit 100 dives in the weeks before the exam.

Time as a Certified Diver

You must have been a certified diver for at least 6 months. This is measured from your original Open Water certification date.

Medical Clearance

You need a dive medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months. Standard dive medical, not a specialist examination (unless you have specific health conditions). Medical checks in the Philippines