In the world of dive education, instructor training often follows a traditional script—lecture-heavy days, skill demonstrations performed kneeling in the sand, and a heavy emphasis on academic performance rather than real-world instructional capabilities. But at Oceans 5 Gili Air, things are different.
(PRUnderground) May 31st, 2025
Revolutionizing Dive Education: How Oceans 5 Gili Air’s PADI IDC Steps Out of the Classroom and Into Real-World, Eco-Conscious Teaching
In the world of dive education, instructor training often follows a traditional script—lecture-heavy days, skill demonstrations performed kneeling in the sand, and a heavy emphasis on academic performance rather than real-world instructional capabilities. But at Oceans 5 Gili Air, things are different. As a PADI Career Development Centre located in the heart of the Gili Islands Marine Park, Oceans 5 is not only training dive instructors—they’re shaping the next generation of environmentally responsible ocean ambassadors.
Since 2017, Oceans 5 Gili Air has been one of the first dive centers in Indonesia to step away from outdated, bottom-kneeling teaching techniques. Instead, they embrace a neutral buoyancy-based approach combined with real-life workshops that mimic the challenges new instructors will face in the field. Now, their PADI Instructor Development Courses (IDCs) are taking another bold step: moving out of the classroom and concentrating on hands-on, realistic training in the pool and open water. The goal is clear: to create confident instructors who are capable of controlling students without damaging the reef, disrupting marine life, or falling back on outdated methods that are no longer appropriate in sensitive marine environments.
From Classroom to Controlled Reality
Traditional PADI IDC formats often rely heavily on time spent in the classroom. There is no doubt that theory has its place in dive education—understanding standards, risk management, and learning theory are essential. However, Oceans 5 believes that real understanding comes from experience, not just from PowerPoint slides.
During the 20-day IDC at Oceans 5 Gili Air, instructor candidates spend minimal time in front of whiteboards. Instead, the focus has shifted toward realistic, scenario-based workshops that happen where instruction actually takes place—in the pool and the ocean. This means candidates aren’t just practicing skill demonstrations; they are learning how to:
- Control students with different comfort levels
- Prevent issues before they occur
- React to problems as they arise underwater
- Maintain group cohesion and safety while diving
These practical sessions are not scripted role plays. Instead, they are adapted to the candidates’ weaknesses, tailored to mimic the real problems instructors face when teaching beginner divers in actual marine environments.
Why Step Away from Kneeling? Protecting What Matters
One of the most visually damaging and ecologically risky practices in dive instruction is teaching students to kneel on the bottom of the ocean or pool. While this may seem like a convenient way to stabilize students, it encourages a bad habit from the start: interacting unnecessarily with the underwater environment.
In marine parks like Gili Matra, which face mounting pressure from tourism, climate change, and pollution, teaching new divers to kneel can be devastating. Corals are fragile, sand beds hold important organisms, and any contact—intentional or not—can cause long-lasting harm. At Oceans 5, instructor candidates are trained to teach and manage skills while floating neutrally.
This approach is not easy. It requires instructors to have excellent buoyancy control, superior problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate and adjust calmly underwater. But it’s worth the challenge, because it produces instructors who:
- Demonstrate respect for marine ecosystems
- Teach students to avoid contact with the environment
- Model proper diving behavior from day one
- Help ensure that coral reefs and marine life are preserved for the next generation
By prioritizing this method, Oceans 5 Gili Air is not just teaching skills—they are instilling an ethic of conservation and raising the bar for dive instruction worldwide.
Addressing the Resistance: Why Most Don’t Teach This Way
If Oceans 5’s philosophy is so effective and necessary, why don’t more dive centers follow suit?
The answer is twofold:
- Perceived Lack of Control: Many Course Directors and instructors feel that teaching while neutrally buoyant makes it harder to control students. On the surface, this seems logical. If students are floating mid-water, how do you prevent them from drifting off or panicking? Oceans 5 addresses this by teaching instructors how to predict and prevent issues. Instead of controlling by positioning, candidates are trained to control by preparation, observation, and intervention. They are also taught how to use the environment wisely—working in shallow, calm areas to reduce the risk of negative outcomes while still practicing real skills.
- Difficulty for Instructor Candidates: Let’s face it—many candidates find neutral buoyancy challenging. In the traditional IDC model, the goal is often to get everyone to pass the Instructor Examination (IE) with minimal stress, and kneeling is seen as an easy way to do that. But at Oceans 5, the goal isn’t just to pass the IE—it’s to create instructors who can thrive in the real world.
That’s why Oceans 5 offers extended preparation, personalized workshops, and flexibility within the IDC schedule to allow candidates the time and feedback needed to master this revolutionary teaching style. For candidates who may have completed their Rescue Diver or Divemaster course years ago, refresher sessions on buoyancy and control are built into the program.
Conservation Is Not an Add-On—It’s a Core Pillar
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, conservation isn’t something that’s discussed during a single slide in a presentation. It’s woven into the fabric of the instructor development course.
In addition to buoyancy workshops and control scenarios, Oceans 5 IDC candidates participate in beach and reef cleanups, learn about coral ecosystems and threats to marine biodiversity, and are encouraged to take part in PADI AWARE and Dive Against Debris programs. The dive center also works closely with BKKPN Kupang (the marine park authority) and the University of Mataram, integrating real conservation projects into the training schedule.
By connecting the environmental philosophy to the instructional methodology, Oceans 5 makes it clear that being a dive instructor in the 21st century is about more than guiding tourists underwater. It’s about becoming a steward of the ocean and a leader in sustainable tourism.
Building Confidence Through Real Experience
When candidates complete their IDC at Oceans 5, they don’t just walk away with a certification. They leave the program as confident, capable, and environmentally aware professionals ready to work anywhere in the world.
The real-life workshops prepare them for the actual challenges of instructing: students who struggle, unexpected conditions, equipment issues, and the need to stay calm while solving problems underwater. The emphasis on real experience helps build:
- Decision-making skills
- Teamwork with dive masters and assistants
- Adaptability to different student needs
- Communication in underwater and topside briefings
More importantly, it helps reinforce best practices that lead to safe dives, successful courses, and positive environmental impact.
A Global Standard Begins in Gili Air
Oceans 5 Gili Air has been pushing boundaries since 2017. What began as a local initiative to reduce reef damage during training dives has now become a full-fledged educational philosophy that is turning heads across Indonesia and beyond.
Other Course Directors may still be skeptical. But for Oceans 5, this is not a matter of convenience or trend—it’s a moral responsibility. As they proudly state: “The ocean is our office. We have to protect it.”
This dedication to doing what is right—not what is easiest—has earned Oceans 5 a reputation as one of the most environmentally conscious IDC centers in the region. Their graduates are not only passing their Instructor Examinations with flying colors, but they are also starting their careers with a clear ethical compass, equipped with tools to teach safely, effectively, and responsibly in marine parks around the globe.
Conclusion: Join the Revolution
If you’re looking to become a dive instructor who’s ready to meet the expectations of a changing industry—where sustainability is no longer optional and the ability to teach responsibly is essential—then Oceans 5 Gili Air is the place to start.
By stepping away from outdated methods and replacing them with realistic, eco-conscious workshops, Oceans 5 is leading a quiet revolution in dive instructor training. Their program is demanding, challenging, and transformative—and that’s exactly what the ocean needs.
The next PADI IDC starts on July 2nd, and spaces are limited to ensure maximum personal attention. Whether you’re starting a new career or continuing your dive education, this is your opportunity to become the kind of instructor the world needs: skilled, confident, and committed to protecting our underwater world.
For more information or to reserve your spot, contact:
info@oceans5dive.com
WhatsApp: +62 853 3339 7823
www.oceans5dive.com
Change your life. Protect the ocean. Become an instructor at Oceans 5 Gili Air.
About IDC Gili Islands
IDC Gili Islands and Oceans 5 dive resort conduct once a month a PADI IDC. Oceans 5 is a PADI Career Development Center located on Gili Air, Lombok, Indonesia
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