How Oceans 5 Gili Air’s PADI IDC Steps Out of the Classroom and Into Real Eco Teaching

Oceans 5 Gili Air is transforming dive education by taking a unique approach to instructor training that focuses on real-world teaching capabilities rather than academic performance. As a PADI Career Development Centre in the Gili Islands Marine Park, Oceans 5 is not just training dive instructors but also shaping environmentally responsible ocean ambassadors.

Since 2017, Oceans 5 Gili Air has been a pioneer in Indonesia, moving away from traditional teaching methods and embracing a neutral buoyancy-based approach along with practical workshops to prepare instructors for real-world challenges. Their Instructor Development Courses (IDCs) have shifted away from the classroom setting to hands-on training in the pool and open water, aiming to create confident instructors who can control students without causing harm to marine life or the reef.

The center’s emphasis on realistic scenarios rather than lecture-heavy classes sets it apart from traditional dive education. Candidates spend less time in the classroom and more time in practical sessions where they learn how to manage students with varying comfort levels, prevent issues underwater, and ensure group safety while diving.

Moving away from traditional bottom-kneeling techniques, Oceans 5 teaches candidates to maintain neutral buoyancy, emphasizing respect for marine ecosystems and proper diving behavior. This approach requires instructors to have excellent buoyancy control and problem-solving skills, but it ultimately produces instructors who prioritize conservation and sustainable diving practices.

In addition to practical training, Oceans 5 integrates conservation efforts into their instructor development course through activities like beach cleanups, coral ecosystem education, and participation in conservation programs. By connecting environmental awareness with instructional methods, Oceans 5 underscores the importance of being a steward of the ocean and promoting sustainable tourism.

Upon completing the IDC at Oceans 5, candidates emerge as confident, environmentally aware professionals equipped to handle real-world challenges in dive instruction. The center’s commitment to ethical diving practices and sustainability has gained recognition as one of the most environmentally conscious IDC centers in the region.

Oceans 5’s innovative approach to dive education serves as a model for a changing industry that values sustainability and responsible teaching. By offering demanding and transformative programs, Oceans 5 is paving the way for a new standard in dive instructor training focused on real-world experience and environmental consciousness.