PADI releases new instructor manual 2017

If you are a PADI PRO, I invite you to visit the page dedicated to PADI members to download the latest Instructor Manual 2017. The current Instructor Manual already contains updated guidelines, regarding changes to the advanced course – AOWD – and guidelines for the new specialties.

A minor improvement in the 2017 manual is the system of dividing the dives within the AOWD programme, into main dives – deep dives and navigation, and optional dives, which are 3 of the 24 remaining dives selected for the programme.

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In the new version of the handbook we can already find answers to the requirements for students when choosing specialisations such as self-sufficient diver, rebreather diving, buoy shooting, full face mask diving, digital imaging.

It has to be said unequivocally that the new changes to the standards of the PADI Advanced Diver programme, make this programme very attractive and valuable. Your students already in the AOWD can learn and try diving with a rebreather or full face mask. The new programme allows you to even more clearly show your divers the possibilities and, above all, the value of continuing their diving education.

Many of you – PADI PRO – invest a lot in developing your skills and deepening your knowledge. You educate yourselves in new diving specialties, buy specialist equipment such as full face masks or sidemount kits. Now, your training offer will be strengthened not only by offered specialisations, but also by more interesting and more attractive AOWD programme.

The current arrangements gently promote specialty instructors, as 11 of the 24 available specialty dives require the instructor to be qualified as a specialty instructor. This of course makes more sense in terms of maintaining a high level of safety through more complex dives such as; AOWD rebreather diving, SRD self-sufficient diver and cavern diving.

I would like to say that, as usual in the PADI system, all the new standards are given clearly, in a very transparent way, however, if you have any doubts, I invite you to post a comment under this article.

As early as 16 February, an online training seminar will be held to discuss changes to the standards and the most important updates. It is also worth making time on Saturday afternoon, 4 March, because then the PADI Member Forum seminar will take place during the Underwater Adventure Fair.

In addition to a summary of the past year, regional manager Michal Kosut will present and answer questions about the new changes. Another interesting addition will be short, 30-minute workshop lectures by Polish Course Directors. PADI Forum is a great place to talk personally about your observations, suggestions and problems. Therefore, I warmly invite you to participate.

Maciej Jurasz
PADI Course Director
H2O Academy – Pletwal Poznan