The Storm is over, Long live the wind>>>>>

A whirlwind two weeks began with the EFR instructor course (Emergency First Response). A day of CPR and first aid was a nice introduction to the PADI system of learning.
The next two days were filled with IDC prep, which consisted of a number of skill circuits and a number of mock exams. It was a good introduction to what the next eight days would have in store. On the same day we also received a timetable, consisting of 8:00am starts and 7:00pm finishes along with homework to fill the time. It all looked a little daunting to begin with but as we began the IDC it was apparent that there would be no time for fear, tears or any other form of emotion for that matter. Two weeks of intensive learning were upon us and we were assured that the time would fly, sure enough it did. People’s scores began to dip but with almost certainty over the last few days everyone was getting good scores. As if by magic we found ourselves on the eve of the IE ( the Instructor Examination). We all retired to bed early and regrouped at 6:30am to begin two days of evaluation.
We began the day with an hour of orientation; we received an assignment sheet telling us what skills we had each been given. We were also allocated a number and a colour, which would now be our names for the next two days. When I looked at my assignment sheet I realised I had been allocated the CESA (controlled emergency swimming ascent) for the open water portion of the exam, this would take place on the second day. We were all told not to worry about the second day but to concentrate on day one. The CESA is one of the more complex skills and can easily be gotten wrong, naturally this was at the back of my mind. We began by completing the confined water exam then we headed back to the Hilton Hotel for our three hours of written exams. We were all told our results after each section and all was going well. We completed our classroom presentations and as if by magic day one was over. After a quick snack for dinner we all retired to put together our briefings for the open water exams the next day.
A nice long sleep was welcomed and we all regrouped at 7:00am. After practicing our briefings we headed to The Red Sea Relax hotel for our final evaluation. We where the second group in the water and so an hours nervous wait was in order before it was my groups time. Before we new it we were in the water and one by one we where going through the skills, problems where allocated by the examiner and the new instructor candidates were spotting them easily. I was last in line and finally it was my turn. I began with a rope skill that went smoothly with no hitches, excuse the pun. Finally it was time for the CESA, the one I had been dreading. I took one student up, spotted the problem and fixed it. Then the second student, I spotted the problem and that was it, over. An air of relief was felt, along with a bit of a blurred memory, it really was over. Our final task was a rescue assessment, which we all past. After leaving the water we all completed our de-briefs and awaited our fait.
100% pass, awesome and the certificate ceremony followed shortly. Of course the 80’s party then followed that and if I could remember what happened there I would have written about it.
It was an awesome two weeks and it passed very quickly. We completed our MSDT training in the three days that followed. The fact is that this is only the begging of the road to becoming an instructor. Its not about the pieces of paper, or the scores on the exams. Its about gaining experience teaching something we love, there’s a lot to be learnt yet and a hell of lot of fun to be had in the process.