PADI Instructor News

Shark Keychain

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:48:00 +0000

PADI Diver Shark Keychain

We have a new, limited-edition promo item - a PADI keychain / bottle opener in the shape of a shark.

Email subscribers may need to click through to view the image below.

82619 - Shark Keychain

Use product number 82619 in the PADI Americas online shopping cart, or request from your sales rep. The Shark Keychain might be a nice incentive for a student who completes the Shark Conservation Specialty or Adventure Dive.

Your Photo on a PADI Card

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:28:00 +0000

Your Photo Could be the 2013 Membership Card

for PADI Diving Society

click here for complete details

About the Contest:
Each year, PADI Diving Society introduces a limited-edition membership card. In the past we’ve used photos from our own collections or invite renowned underwater photographers to provide striking images. However, with the growth of Digital Underwater Photography, and more and more divers capturing their underwater experiences, we decided to create a worldwide search!

Judges from your local PADI Office and Sport Diver magazine will select three regional winners. Each PADI Diving Society office will then submit their regional winners in the PADI Diving Society Member Card Online Voting Contest. The final winner will be announced November 2012 and will receive a certificate, global recognition, plus bragging rights!

How to Participate:
Submit up to three photos of your best underwater or diving lifestyle photos as high resolution images. For image sizing and submission details, please visit the PADI Diving Society 2013 Membership Card Photo Contest page on padi.com.

PADI Business Training Online

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:08:00 +0000

When it came time to teach my first class after the IE I felt a little unsure of myself. I decided to team teach and it worked out brilliantly. Working together with other instructors, each of us with different strengths, we formed one perfect instructor - like Voltron.

There's a lot to know as a PADI Member. It's challenging for one person to know everything about the scuba diving universe (even though some people think they do).

All joking aside, the greater PADI Member community has an astounding amount of knowledge. If you're thinking of trying something new, like social media, eLearning, or technical diving - there's a PADI Member out there willing to share great ideas and tips.

... and they're available on demand from the PADI Pro's Site.

If you haven't visited the Business of Diving Webcasts archive yet, there's a lot of great information there. You'll hear PADI Members describe how they've grown their business using different programs. More than twenty topics are available for download in convenient one hour chunks. Please see topic list below.

But wait there's more....

View three of these programs and receive one seminar point towards Master Instructor. A typed, one-paragraph summary of each program viewed must be included with the MI app. Please contact PADI customer service for details: 800 729 7234 ext. 2495 or +1 949 858 7234 ext. 2495.

Cyber Strategies - Usability and Functionality Discover Scuba Diving
Bring-a-Friend Program
Tap Into Tec Diving
Scout out Opportunities
Conducting Successful Discover Scuba Diving Experiences
Customer Loyalty - Identify, Retain and Grow Your Best Customers
Conducting a Successful Pro Night
Digital Underwater Photography
Groupon - It's Like Getting Paid to Advertise
Making eLearning Profitable
Phone Tips – Business Telephone Techniques
Maximizing PADI Marketing Tools
Making Money with Con-ed Social Networking
Conducting Successful Youth Programs

Pasted below is an overview of how to download and view a PADI Business of Diving archived webcast.

After clicking the link to download the webinar of your choice, you'll have to enter a little information.

Step One: Type in your email

Step Two: Enter your first and last name and your PADI Member Number

(store number if you are a store, instructor number if you are an individual member).

Step Three: click the button to View Recorded Webinar

If you'd like to participate in one of our live programs, here's our schedule for the remainder of 2012. All programs run from 7am - 8am California time.

Upcoming Webcasts 2012
Selling PADI Education – DSD through MSD (13 June)
Go Pro Best Practices - Building a Leadership Program (11 July)
Expand your Borders – Secrets of Selling Travel (8 August)
Best Practices for building your Open Water Programs (12 September)
Refining your Youth Programs (10 October)
Reaching New Divers – The Power of Referrals (28 November)
Year in Review – Best of 2012 (12 December)

Logbook Pages are Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:28:00 +0000

Back by Popular Demand...

PADI logbook pages
(product no. 70036)

The loose-leaf logbook pages are back! To order, use product number 70036 in our online shopping cart, or contact you PADI sales consultant. Pricing matches the cost of the red logbook (70048).

Suggested retail: $16.10

Two New Adventure Dive Options

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:52:00 +0000

Looking to add some variety to your Adventures in Diving course? There are two new adventure dives you can offer: AWARE Shark Conservation and Recreational Sidemount.

Dive One of the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty can be used as an Adventure Dive in the AOW program.
Similarly, PADI Sidemount Instructors may use Dive One of the Sidemount specialty as one of the AOW elective dives.

Only instructors with these specialty ratings may offer the adventure dives (see additional info below).

For complete details on the new adventure dives, please see page four of the 2nd quarter 2012 Training Bulletin.

The 2QTB also says: Look for the incorporation of these two new Adventure Dives into the PADI Adventures in Diving manual, log books and other PADI materials when revision schedules allow. I don't have any additional info on when student materials may be available, so in the meantime:

Materials for the Project AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty can be downloaded free from Project AWARE's website. Any PADI Instructor in Teaching Status (OWSI or higher) may apply for the AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Instructor rating. For further detail, reference Specialty Instructor in the Professional Membership section of your PADI Instructor Manual and/or download the instructor guide.

For more information on the Sidemount specialty (including student knowledge reviews), please review the Sidemount Instructor outline - product 70490. To qualify as a PADI Recreational Sidemount Instructor, you must be a teaching-status PADI OWSI or higher and either:

Complete Specialty Instructor Training with a PADI Course Director + 10 logged sidemount dives.
(method one application)
Provide proof of experience (method two)

Sidemount Diver certification + 20 logged sidemount dives
Proof of 50 logged sidemount dives.

How much are the specialty instructor application fees?
Here is a link to PADI Americas' 2012 Instructor application fees.

Related post:
What are the most popular elective dives for Advanced Open Water? Check out our poll results.

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PADI Instructor Job in Maui

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:21:00 +0000

Applications are still being accepted for jobs mentioned in last week's post (Maui, Kauai, Washington and Orange County, CA). In the meantime, we've got another job opportunity for PADI Instructors!

A PADI Resort located at a luxury 4 Star resort hotel in the Kihei/Wailea area is rapidly growing and seeking an additional PADI Instructor. Here is the information provided by the resort:

Newly certified instructors as well as those with more experience (MSDT or higher) are encouraged to apply. This is a full time salary and commission opportunity. We are looking for candidates who can begin working within 30 days.

We expect the candidates to: be conservatively groomed and meet hotel standards, have reliable transportation, be on time to work every day, strictly follow PADI STANDARDS, be detail-oriented, have all of their own dive gear and teaching materials, be currently insured and in teaching status.

You will be: Conducting DSD programs (2 per day are offered), Leading certified divers and repeat DSD divers on O/W dives, Teaching OW certification classes or Con-Ed programs utilizing eLearning or the independent study method, Conducting Referral O/W Certification Dives.

Candidates: send Resume or CV to Insun8R at aol dot com
Subject Line: Instructor Opportunity Short-listed candidates will be contacted for phone interviews.

Candidates who best meet our needs will be offered face to face interviews. Applications are still being accepted for jobs mentioned in last week's post (Maui, Kauai, Washington and Orange County, CA).

Now Hiring PADI Instructors - California, Hawaii and Washington State

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:42:00 +0000

Spring and summer are off to a good start. We have five PADI stores looking to hire a total of seven PADI Instructors. Read on for details:

Kauai Down Under, a Five Star PADI Dive Center is looking for three full-time PADI Instructors. Each instructor must carry their own insurance and be a resident of the United States. Specialty ratings and prior experience are a plus. If interested, please call (808) 742-9534 and ask for Josh.

Gone Diving, a PADI Dive Center in Bellingham, WA is looking for a PADI Instructor (MSDT or higher) with cold-water and low-vis diving experience. The instructor must also have a drysuit specialty instructor rating and be a US citizen. Experience teaching children a plus. Interested parties, please contact 360.738.2042 and ask for Charlynn, or email info at gonediving dot org. Include resume, cover letter, salary requirements, resume in PDF format and availability.

Underwater Sports, a PADI Five Star IDC in Seattle, WA is looking for a PADI Instructor - OWSI or higher (EANx specialty rating a plus). Cold water diving experience is strongly preferred; must be a US citizen. Please email resume to ken at underwatersports dot com.

JL Dive and Photo in Irvine, CA is looking for a PADI Instructor. Prior experience is preferred, the ability to speak Mandarin - a plus. An outgoing personality is a must, and the instructor should be comfortable working both on the beach and in the shop promoting gear sales. Must be a US citizen and carry your own insurance. To apply, call Bob at 949 476 8500.

Maui Dreams Dive Company, a Five Star IDC, is looking for a gear repair tech. Applicants should have a minimum OWSI rating and be certified to service Aqua Lung, Oceanic, TUSA Scubapro and Sherwood. Please only apply if you are comfortable using a computer (the one you type on, not just the one you dive with). Maui Dreams offers benefits including sick time and vacation time after the first year. To apply contact Teri at (808) 874-5332.

Coral Reef Safe Sunscreens for Scuba Diving?

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:21:00 +0000

Sunscreen. Growing up in the Pacific NW, it was something I bought once every five years.*

After becoming a diver, I found myself buying it bulk from Costco, specifically Neutrogena's Ultra-Sheer Sunscreen. Hey, it was effective, non-comedogenic, and didn't give me that kabuki white-face look.

* A terrible idea, most sunscreen expires in 1-3 years.

But late last year I saw an ad on the PADI Pro's site for a coral safe sunscreen. Uh oh. Protecting your skin from the sun is important, but so are coral reefs! Have I unknowingly been killing coral?

I'd like to consider myself someone who helps rather than harms the underwater world, so I asked our friends at Project AWARE about this issue. They referred me to an article about corals and sunscreen from National Geographic.

Email subscribers may need to click through to view images below.

In a nutshell:

Chemicals contained in sunscreen can be harmful to the reef, but so are the compounds contained in the waste of hundreds of other products people use every day.
Other threats such as coastal pollution, overfishing, and sedimentation are probably a greater threat to coral reefs than sunscreen. We only have a shot at saving coral reefs if major change in behavior happens at the individual and collective levels.

So what's a diver to do?
Tips on Choosing a Sunscreen

When it comes to sunscreen, look for a brand that uses physical sunblocks (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) instead of chemical ones.
Apply sunscreen at least 10-15 minutes before going in the water so that the lotion absorbs into your skin.
Any natural product (organic, biodegradeable etc) is better for the environment then the conventional one. Some experts suggest avoiding ingredients with prefixes with “oxy-” or “hexa-”.

My contact at Project AWARE recommended a 2011 study from EWG (Environmental Working Group). A group of doctors and scientists reviewed 1700 SPF products for their efficacy and toxicity. Read more about the study's methodology or view the results.

Pasted below are some eco-friendly sunscreen options from EWG's list that were also well-reviewed on Amazon.com. The products below are not officially endorsed by PADI or Project AWARE, these are simply products that scored well in the EWG study that also have good reviews on Amazon.com.

Sunscreen Stick- SPF 30
This sunscreen stick is advertised to "retain SPF after 80 minutes of activity in the water or perspiring " The company states that the stick (chapstick consistency) provides sun protection of greater duration that the lotion version (80 min for the stick versus 40 min for the lotion pictured above). Who knows what the real lasting effects are when the entire time is spent underwater?

Extended wear or not, the size is certainly more convenient to fit in a dry box or pocket than a sunscreen tube or bottle. Sometimes it's those between-dive reapplications that are the most critical.

Loving Naturals SPF 30
Loving Naturals advertises their product to be water-resistant for 40 minutes, it's zinc-oxide based and "rubs in clear" (no kabuki-face). The product is made with 100% natural/organic ingredients and is also available as a lip balm.

Do you have a favorite sunscreen? Leave a comment below or post to our Google+ page.

Final EFR Materials Update

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:16:00 +0000

The revised Care for Children DVD is in stock and shipping. This was the last item we were waiting on to get updated.

Now that it's here:

All related kits such as the EFR Instructor Manual and EFR Instructor Start-Up Kit are shipping with 100% updated material.
If you ordered an EFR update pack at DEMA or during member forum, it's shipping this week.
If you still have the prior version of the EFR materials - for any course or level - they are valid for use through 31 December 2012.

Revised EFR Care for Children Materials

Care for Children manual and DVD -60270

Care for Children manual ala carte- 70179

Care for Children DVD ala carte - 70993

Care for Children student exam- 71812

Care for Children instructor guide- 79190

In case you missed it, the updated EFR Instructor Trainer materials are also in and shipping. You can also read our earlier posts about the updated CPR/AED materials or Primary/Secondary Care materials.

Project AWARE Shark Shoutout

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:30:00 +0000

April is Project AWARE's Big Shark Shout Out month. What are you doing to promote Shark Conservation? Read on for some fun ideas from other PADI Members:

Here's an easy one, if you haven't already, sign the petition at Project AWARE.org and help us spread the word to friends and family. If you manage a Facebook page, add the Shark Petition App as a tab.

Here are a few things other PADI Members are doing in support of Project AWARE's Shark Conservation efforts.

Instructor Kendra Bolt is putting a team together to run the NYC Marathon. To support her efforts or join the team, visit: runforsharks.org.

Kohala Divers on the Big Island of Hawaii is running a special charter where students can earn the Shark Conservation Distinctive Specialty. They've also featured Project AWARE's shark petition on their homepage and enewsletter.

Langley Diving (Langley, Canada) created a special event: a fin-a-thon. Swimmers, snorkelers and divers all took part at a local pool. Read more about the event on Project AWARE's website.

Lastly, a PADI Instructor in Hawaii recently saved an entrapped shark in Hawaii. Talk about good diving karma! Watch a video of the rescue below, or click through to view it on Hawaii News Now.

Results of Gear Poll

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:20:00 +0000

Last month we asked how many of you dive with an original piece of dive gear. Pasted below are the results of the poll. Looks like regulators and fins are what our respondents hang onto the longest. Read the original post.

So what's the upshot of all this?

Create a survey of your own for your eNewsletter, or post as a Facebook question. You may want to add one more option: "I don't use any of my original gear."
Use the results when counseling students on their first gear purchase. For example, invest in a high-quality regulator, and get it serviced regularly. More than half of our students are still using their original reg.
Using our poll as an example: there are plenty of folks out there who might be interested in a trade-in special offer on fins and regs.

Here's a question for you - originally posed by a member of the LinkedIn community - some divers take a lot of pride in having really old gear - why? In other sports industries, cycling or snowboarding for example, participants upgrade their gear much more frequently.

If you have any thoughts on why divers keep the same gear for years and years, leave a comment below or post a comment on our Google Plus page.

EFR IT Materials Updated and Shipping

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:59:00 +0000

Revised EFR Instructor Trainer Materials

The updated Emergency First Response IT lesson guides, instructor guide and instructor exam are revised and shipping. As my fourth grade teacher used to say: Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.*

* What that phrase means, or why my teacher said this sort of thing to ten-year-olds - I have no idea.

Below you'll find the part numbers and details on the new materials for EFR instructor trainers.

But first...here's the latest on the EFR student materials:

Everything is updated and available except the Care for Children DVD.
We expect these DVDs in stock by mid-April. Stay tuned to PADI Instructor News for updates.
Still have the prior version of the EFR student materials in stock?
Don't worry - they are valid for use through the end of this year (31 December 2012).
The EFR Instructor update/start-up pack is available (product no. 60215 / 80215)
The instructor kit ships with the prior version of the Care for Children DVD in it until mid-April.

Please order this item through your PADI Sales Consultant so we may facilitate either getting you the new DVD when it comes out or holding off on sending the kit until it's 100% up-to-date.

EFR IT Lesson Guides CD-ROM
Product no. 70988
Includes:

EFR Instructor course lesson guides (powerpoint)
EFR IT manual (PDF)
EFR Instructor Manual (PDF)

EFR IT manual - paper version
Product no. 70093
If you buy the Lesson Guide CD-ROM above, you’ll receive a digital copy of the paper manual.

EFR Instructor Exam
Product no. 71850

If you still have the prior version of the EFR materials - for any course or level - they are valid for use through 31 December 2012.

Useful Links:
Read about the updated EFR CPR/AED materials (includes product numbers).
Read about the updated EFR Primary/Secondary Care materials (includes product numbers).

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Poll: Do You Still Use Any of Your Original Dive Gear?

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:24:00 +0000

I was reading the latest issue of California Diver the other day. In the opening letter, the editor talks about what pieces of gear people hang on to. It got me thinking...

I wonder what pieces of scuba gear do divers use the longest?

I still use my original computer and dry suit. Everything else has been retired or relegated to spare gear. With that in mind, here's a poll for PADI Instructor News readers.

Email subscribers may need to click through to PADI Instructor News to vote / see results. The poll will close Sunday April 8th.

Do You Still Use Any of Your Original Dive Gear?

Example Facebook Timeline Scuba Pages

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:21:00 +0000

I got some great feedback last week from folks who've converted their Facebook pages to Timeline. Below are a couple examples of what different dive business have done to update their pages. Email subscribers may need to click through to the PADI Instructor News website to view the images below.

Remember: this Friday 30 March Facebook will automatically change your page to Timeline view whether you've prepared for it or not.

If you haven't already done so, please check out my post from last week: Tips for Converting Your Facebook Page.
We also have new resource developed by PADI Marketing: Top Tips for the New Facebook Timeline (PDF).

Below is a great example of how one store used their profile image as a part of their cover photo. Kudos Torpedo Rays in Nova Scotia!

Our friends at Kosrae Village EcoLodge and Dive Resort have really taken advantage of the Timeline option to show the history of their business. You can see historical pictures / read about the resort being constructed, mooring buoy installation, etc.

Maui Dreams is rocking Easter-themed graphics on their Facebook page. Remember you can infinitely update your app icons, cover and profile photo. Their logo has bunny ears and I think that's an Easter Frogfish?

Two PADI Jobs: Training Consultant and Inside Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:20:00 +0000

PADI is currently hiring for two positions at our Orange County (PADI Americas) Office.We're looking for a Training Consultant and also an Inside Sales Consultant.

Interested in applying for either of these positions? Please email your resume and cover letter to jobs at padi dot com.

By the way, if you were following PADI Instructor News on Google+ you'd have been the first to hear about these jobs (last Thursday).

Replacement 2012 Instructor Manual Pages

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:19:00 +0000

The 2012 Instructor Manual pages are now available ala carte from your PADI Americas Sales Consultant or the online shopping cart. Use product number 79173. Member price: $80.85

The 2012 PADI Instructor Manual is available as a free download for renewed instructors, but for folks who would like to remove and replace their old pages with new ones, they are available sans binder.

Facebook Page Mandatory Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Tips for Converting to Facebook Timeline

On March 30th the layout of your Facebook Page will change - like it or not.

This article will address some of the basics with a few ideas and suggestions for your dive business. Mashable.com has an extensive rundown of the changes and what they mean. Email subscribers may need to click through to view the images below.

There are four things this article will address:

1. Cover and Profile photos
2. Apps
3. Pinning a Post
4. The Timeline

Cover Photo and Profile Picture Ideas

The profile picture represents your Page on other parts of Facebook (news feed, for example). In most cases, your logo is the best option for this space. If your logo looks funny when squished to 200pixels square, consider a simplified version.

The cover photo is the large image that will greet every visitor to your page. Below are two examples of different cover photo strategies: one from AT&T and one from RedBull. I particularly like what AT&T has done.

A mosaic like this allows you to showcase your best underwater and topside photos - see example below made from PADI stock images. Utilize your favorite local diving shots in combo with images from the PADI Pro's Site (under the Toolbox menu) to get any additional images you may need, or just download the image below.

click to view larger version and/or download

RedBull, on the other hand, puts a single dramatic image front and center (see below - it's since changed). Most businesses seem to be going the single-image route; however, all that glitters is not gold. Scroll down for a more lackluster example of a large cover photo.

Presents of Mind, is one of my favorite stores back home in Portland, and I was so disappointed with their updated page. This image doesn't say anything about how great the store is or what it sells - and it has more glare than the crappy screengrabs from my last post.

Facebook Cover Photo Do's and Don'ts

Your cover photo may be the first impression of your businesses a customer ever sees. If you're running Facebook ads, or tagging photos of new students, the cover image = your new landing page.

If you've got a gateway app wherein new visitors can't see the homepage until they Like you - that's going away. First time visitors will go directly to your cover photo / Timeline page. You can still have a special offer app that requires a "Like" to unlock a coupon or other promotion, but the entire page can't be locked away as was possible pre-Timeline.

Here are some important considerations for your cover photo

Don't include price or purchase information such as "40% off" or "Download it at our website"
Don't include a call to action, such as "Like Us" or "Tell your friends"
Read the complete list of restricted content for your cover photo (you should be clicking this link)

Do feel free to change up your cover photo.
- Got an exotic dive trip to fill? Post a dramatic image to promote what the destination has to offer.
- GoPro Night on the horizon? Create a graphic with the event date and run it as your cover photo the month prior to your event.
Do use smiling pictures of people. Underwater landscapes are nice, but people want to know they're going to have a fun experience if they choose your business.

Apps

The menu on the left side of your page is going away. Some of these items will appear in little boxes (called Apps) below your cover photo. There are five total spaces, but About and Photos are mandatory and you can't remove them.

You can choose three additional apps to appear on your landing page. Here are some ideas and options:

Likes
Events
Email list sign-up
Special Offers
Welcome
Map

About is the same as Info on your current Facebook Page. If you haven't edited this section recently, now's a good time to update it. Check out our article Creating a Great About Us Page for ideas.

If you have more than three apps, customers can view the additional apps by clicking a little arrow at the end of your app row. Clicking this arrow will expand the number of apps available to view.

Pinning a Post

If you have a special offer for Facebook Fans, or other activity you want to promote, you can "pin" a wall post to the top of the page.

First, compose your post as you would any other status update for your wall. To pin the post, click the pencil icon in the top right corner of the post. Then choose Pin to Top.

This post will remain at the top of your Timeline for seven days. After that they'll drop back into the timeline. You can re-pin the post back to the top or choose something else.

Only posts "written" by the page can be pinned to the top. A comment or post from someone who likes your page cannot be pinned.

The Timeline

If you still have time after creating your cover page, choosing a profile photo, arranging your apps and pinning a post, then have a look at your company timeline. Use Timeline to create a narrative history of your business such as when the store opened, when a boat was brought in, the first IDC, etc. Research has shown that consumers are interested in behind-the scenes pictures, milestones, and other things that "humanize" the business. RedBull has converted their page to Timeline view and you can explore the colorful history of this (very active) brand.

PADI Sidemount Specialty Materials

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:35:00 +0000

Sidemount Scuba Diving Materials
available now

Recreational Sidemount

Instructor outline - product no. 70490.

Member price $15.50

Tec Sidemount Materials

Tec Sidemount Wall Certificate - product no. 41056

Member price: $4.45

Tec Sidemount instructor outline - product no. 71055

Member price: $56.95

Tec Sidemount instructor trainer guide* - product no. 79310

Member price: $15.50

* Product not available online. This item may be ordered by TecRec IT's only. This includes

PADI Course Directors
PADI TecRec Instructor Trainer - must have attended PADI program

Cool Sidemount Video

If you've got focused who are feeling "meh" about sidemount - have them check out the video below (email subscribers may need to click through to view).

PADI Rec and TecRec Sidemount from Team Blue Immersion on Vimeo.

Get PADI News on your iPhone or iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:45:00 +0000

A PADI Instructor News reader (you know who you are) recently asked:
how can I get PADI Instructor News updates on my iPad?

Great question!

First, download a reader from the app store such as Feeddler or Flipboard.

Caveat: this is not an official endorsement a particular app. Feeddler and Flipboard are two free options. NewsRack, and Reeder are other options. Please do your homework to decide which of the many apps is right for you.

If you already have a Google account (such as gmail) you may be able to login with those credentials. Otherwise, it will prompt you to set up a new account.

Android Users
There is an unofficial Google Reader app, Feedly, and Pulse are highly-recommended (by tech-bloggers).

When your Apple or Android app installation is complete, input the feed address below to subscribe to PADI Instructor News updates:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/padiinstructornews

Depending on the app you use, a little icon will appear on your screen when a new article has posted. If you subscribe to more than one website, you'll see a list of sites and an icon indicating new info.

Email subscribers may need to click through to view the screengrabs in this article. Please pardon the low-fi appearance. I had to snap pictures of my iPod Touch with my cell phone camera.

New Website Address for PADI Instructor News

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:32:00 +0000

PADIinstructorinfo.com is now PADIProNews.com

Due to...technical difficulties...I had to change the URL of this website. All the goodness of padiinstructorinfo.com can now be found at padipronews.com

If you click a link from Google and it takes you to the old web address, you can still find what you're looking for by going to padipronews.com and using the search box under the header.

I appreciate your support and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

PADI eCard - What You Need to Know

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:21:00 +0000

PADI Diver Certification Cards for iPhone, Android and Blackberry

PADI eCard Fast Facts

PADI's new eCard is a digital diver certification card that lives on an Android, iPhone or Blackberry device accessed via the PADI app (a free download).
The PADI eCard is proof of certification (just like a plastic card).
The eCard is available for purchase through PADI's website for $37US, or through a PADI Dive Center or Instructor (member cost = one online PIC credit).
The eCard is available as a replacement card only for now.
For at least the remainder of 2012, the student's initial certification card must be plastic. That said, the student can order eCard in 1-3 business days of the certification being submitted.
One eCard = one certification.
For example: if a student wants their Master Scuba Diver and their Nitrox certs as eCards, the cost is either:

$37 x 2 eCards if ordered through padi.com
Two online PIC credits if ordered through a PADI instructor or dive center

Ready to sell ecards to your students?

While you personally may not be interested in an eCard, your students might. Think about how many divers you've certified over the years and consider the following stats:

Nearly half of consumers in North America own a smart phone.
66% of US consumers age 25-24 own a smartphone.
Slightly more than 4 in 10 Europeans own a smartphone.
Beating them all - 50% of Britons own a smartphone.

Check out our s tep-by-step instructions for buying eCards using PIC online credits

Free eCard for renewed PADI Pro's

PADI Professionals renewed for 2012 can receive an eCard of their highest core level. To get your eCard, download the PADI App at padi.com/mobile-apps. Use your PADI Pro website login credentials to access your eCard.

Ordering additional pro-level ecards

Additional pro-level eCards can be purchased for $27 via the My Account section of the PADI Pro's website.

After logging in, click My Account.
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.
Click "Replace My Membership Cards" to get started

The pro-level eCard price is the same price as a plastic card ($27). That said, if you order a plastic replacement card and eCard at the same time, there is a combo price of $40. This is for pro-levels only.

For a Project AWARE version of your eCard(s), an additional $10 donation per card is required.

Having trouble pulling up the eCard on your smartphone?

Try uninstalling and re-installing the PADI App
Change your PADI Pro login credentials to eliminate any spaces or special characters
Read our FAQ for device compatibility.
Call the membership dept of your local PADI Office.
(PADI Americas membership dept = 800 729 7234 ext. 2495, or +1 949 858 7234 ext. 2495).

Secrets of Continuing Ed and Specialty Crewpak Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000

Continuing Education Webinar and Sales Promo

Find out the secrets other PADI Members use to promote their continuing education courses. Register for the free webinar Making Money with Continuing-Education – this Wednesday 15 February from 7-8 AM PST.

To help you implement the tactics you'll learn during the webinar, we're offering a sale on specialty crewpaks:

Mix and Match* specialty crewpaks and Save up to 15%

- Buy 10 Specialty Course Crew-Paks and save 10% off current buying level
- Buy 20 Specialty Course Crew-Paks and save 13% off current buying level
- Buy 30 Specialty Course Crew-Paks and save 15% off current buying level

*Select at least two different specialty course Crew-Paks.

Contact your Sales Consultant to take advantage of these specials. This offer is not available from our online shopping cart. The special offer expires at 4 PM (PST) on Friday, 17 February 2012 and may not be combined with any other offer.

Top 5 Deep Dive Activity Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:13:00 +0000

Recently on the PADI Pro's LinkedIn Group, instructors discussed underwater activities for teaching the Deep Diver Specialty and also the Advanced Open Water deep adventure dive.

Pasted below are the top five suggestions from the group. Some are strictly color change at depth (AOW adventure dive) while others include ideas for showing pressure change at depth (Deep Specialty).

Coozies on a String

Take three neoprene can coozies of different colors strung on a short length of rope. Tie a small lead weight to one end.

Using different colored coozies allows you to show color change at depth. Use your dive light to reveal the coozies "real" color.
The neoprene shows how a diver's wetsuit compresses at depth and loses some of its thermal properties
It also shows how compression affects buoyancy - at the surface the cozies stayed afloat, but at depth the weight is more than enough to sink them. This demonstrates how a wetsuit loses buoyancy and the diver's need to adjust for pressure differences.

Two Soda Bottles

Bring down two identical plastic bottles:* one filled with water and one filled with air.
At depth, show students the difference the crushed "air" bottle.
Next, open the cap allowing the crushed bottle to take on its normal shape. Water will fill the bottle to a level dependent on your depth.
Bring the bottle up to the surface and use it during the dive debriefing.
Hold the pressurized bottle inverted and slowly open the cap to allow the water to spray out and the air expand out to cap at atmospheric pressure.

* The instructor who posted this suggestion recommends using a soda bottle which will come back to shape better than a thinner water bottle not designed for pressure.

Student Slate from Advanced Crewpak

product no. 69230

A few years back we developed a new student slate for the Adventures in Diving course. The slate now includes knot-tying diagrams and a color chart. Now you have a basic rainbow at your disposal. No more stealing paint sample cards from Home Depot and laminating them! Not that I ever did that...

This item is available ala carte - product no. 69230.

Tupperware-Shape-O-Toy

Tupperware's Shape-O-Toy: - $25.74 from Amazon.com (free shipping)

Shows color changes at depth
Works as a mental challenge (and a dexterity challenge if students are diving with gloves)
To make it more difficult, write black numbers above each hole and challenge students to solve the puzzle in sequence

Egg Magic Trick

Demonstrate the effects of pressure at depth with this floating egg yolk magic trick.

Descend to 90 - 100 feet and gather divers around you in a circle.
Show the students the egg magician-like. Look, it's just a normal egg.
Carefully crack the egg open with your dive knife or other implement.
The yolk will stay in the shape of a small ball.
If divers are close together you can play ping-pong with the yolk (be gentle).

Watch a video of divers playing with an egg yolk underwater.

Important considerations for the egg magic trick:

This trick works best at 85+ ft but please let safety dictate your depth.
If you can get a double-yoke egg it's extra-trippy (ask at your local farmer's market) .
Do not attempt this trick in an area where fish-feeding is prohibited.
Vegan divers probably won't like this trick.

If you have any deep dive activity ideas you'd like to share, please leave them as a comment below. Email subscribers will need to click through to comment.

Related article:
What are the most popular Adventure Dives for the Advanced course?

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Help Us Pick the Next PADI Promo Items

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:25:00 +0000

Each year PADI produces a handful of promo items. In years past we've had a laptop backpack. coffee mug, flex clock, etc. We'd like your input on what PADI swag you'd like us to produce in the future.

I've put together a short, 13 question survey that includes products we're thinking about for 2012. At the end, you'll have the opportunity to give us additional suggestions.

Caveat to the open comments section: it's unlikely that we'll produce a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or other item that requires us to stock a lot of different sizes. PADIGear.com does a nice job producing apparel for us already.

The 13 items in the survey include five items we've produced in the past including the Cousteau / Zissou red cap and the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving trivia cards (pictured below). Email subscribers may need to click through to view the product images.

The PADI promo item survey takes just a few minutes to complete. When possible I've provided mock-ups of the items. I don't have photo shop, so please excuse my horrific image manipulations.

Start survey now.

2012 PADI Instructor Manual now available for download

noreply@blogger.com (Padi Americas Sales) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:20:00 +0000

The 2012 PADI Instructor Manual (English) is now available for download as a PDF. Renewed PADI Pros (including Divemasters) can access it by logging in to the PADI Pro's website.

Log on to padi.com/mypadi
Click on Training Essentials
Choose Digital Instructor Manual from the drop down menu

The paper version of the 2012 manual is not available yet. Stay tuned to PADI Instructor News for updates.