FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions/FAQ's

Here's a list of frequently asked questions or FAQ's. Please read this list of FAQ's since it will cover questions that on a regular base many people ask who are interested in participating in dive course and/or packages with PADI Course Director Camille Lemmens.

If you still have questions after reading this list of FAQ's, please contact me.

 

What is included in the various packages?

Camille offers various IDC packages, starting from every level, either from Open Water-, Advanced Open Water-, Rescue Diver- or Divemaster level.

Starting at any of these levels, you have the option to choose from a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Go Pro Max package whereby each package is an extension from the previous package.

A Silver package includes the Prep IDC course, the IDC and the EFR Instructor course.

A Gold package includes the Prep IDC course, the IDC and the EFR Instructor course plus the DSAT Gas Blender and DSAT Gas Blender Instructor course.

A Platinum package includes the Prep IDC course, the IDC and the EFR Instructor course and the MSDT prep course which includes 5 PADI Instructor Specialties of your choice.

A Go Pro Max package includes the Prep IDC course, the IDC and the EFR Instructor course course and the MSDT prep course which includes 5 PADI Instructor Specialties of your choice plus the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider and Instructor course plus the DSAT Gas Blender and DSAT Gas Blender Instructor course.

Camille now includes your PADI Nitrox Instructor rating for FREE in all Instructor level courses and internships (this offer does not include required PADI materials for becoming a PADI Nitrox diver or Instructor and PADI application fees).

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What are the course or package costs?

IDC Thailand’s packages are based on a course or package fee.

Costs for required PADI materials are separate and can vary pending on what package you choose.

The PADI application fees are directly payable to PADI by cheque or credit card and are not included in the IDC and/or package prices.

The more extensive the packages are, the higher the costs for application fees and required PADI materials will be.

Pending on what PADI Instructor Specialties courses you choose, additional costs may occur for either required PADI materials or equipment rental. Since these choices vary from person to person and are usually not made until the Specialty Instructor training starts, these costs can’t be calculated before the start of Instructor Specialty training.

Camille can provide a costing for each package (Silver, Gold, Platinum or Go Pro Max) starting at each level, Open Water-, Advanced Open Water-, Rescue Diver- or Divemaster or straight IDC level upon request.

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Is the deposit refundable?

No, deposits are not refundable under any circumstance.

We do understand that your circumstances may change, not allowing you to start or finish a course, therefore we are very flexible about your starting and completion date.

You can delay the start of your program(s) as much as you need, this is no problem, as long as you keep us informed about your change of plans.

As with any university or training facility, deposits and full payments are not refundable but once you commit to our courses, you will see that we are commitment as well and will be there to help you complete your courses.

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How can I book?

It’s fairly easy, go to this booking page and fill out the information and Camille will get back to you with the required information and/or booking forms that include the payment options.

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What kind of accommodation is available?

On Koh Samui;

Most of our staff and people who participate in similar packages/courses like you're interested in, stay in bungalows they rent per month. See pictures of these bungalows here.

An average bungalow has a monthly rent of approximately 8.000,- to 9.000,-Baht. Utility costs are not included in the monthly rental price and largely depend on how long per day you keep the air conditioner running.

For this amount you typically get a furnished bungalow with a living room (table, couch and/or stools) and TV, bedroom with a/c (bed, wardrobe, one set of linen), a kitchenette with fridge and a bathroom with cold/hot water.

Please check this link to see pictures of the private bungalow accommodation in the compound that can be arranged on your behalf by IDC Thailand on Koh Samui.

We can also provide special rates at the Kandaburi resort in Chaweng where the IDC is conducted, please ask for available rates.

Once on Samui, you'll need some form of transportation since the island is too big for getting around without either a motorbike or car (small jeep), especially with your dive equipment.

Up to and including the Rescue diver course, transfers are included in the courses but as of Divemaster trainee level, you're supposed to make your own around, this includes all IDC courses and package.

A standard semi-automatic motorbike cost 3.000,-Baht per month, an automatic motorbike cost 5.000,-Baht per month and a small jeep cost 13.000,-Baht per month, excluding gasoline costs. Please note that the jeep has manual gears.

All vehicles are insured and available through our recommended supplier.

For more information on Koh Samui, please feel free to visit my Koh Samui info and weather blog. Here you can find plenty of information about things to do and see on and around Samui and it also comes with daily weather updates.

For other locations please ask me and I will be able to give you some ideas and help in finding accommodation.

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When do the courses start?

You can start all courses starting from Open Water diver level up to Divemaster level any day, at your own convenience, it's just the IDC's (Instructor Development Courses) that have set dates, which are listed in my schedule.

Due to seasonal influences, in Khao Lak no packages starting at Open Water diver to Instructor level are being offered.

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Is the training schedule flexible?

Yes, absolutely. You may have friends or relatives coming over and want to spend time with them or you need or want to go back home to spend Christmas or any other event with your beloved ones, that's all no problem, as long as you communicate with us and let us know about your plans.

Once you're back in Thailand or have time again to continue the courses, just let us know and we start scheduling you in again.

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How long do the courses last?

Here's a time schedule for the various courses;

The Open Water diver course is 3 to 4 days.

The Advanced Open Water diver course is 2 days.

The Rescue Diver and EFR course are 4 days.

The Divemaster course internship is scheduled to last 6 weeks.

The IDC is conducted over 10 days, including the EFR Instructor course and the PADI IE is conducted over either 2 or 3 days, pending on the location.

Specialty Instructor Training is between one week and 10 days pending on what program you participate in.

The MSDT internship is between 4 to 6 weeks, pending on how busy we are. The MSDT internship is conducted on Gili Air in Indonesia or Koh Tao in Thailand.

After the PADI IE it'll take about 10 working days before you receive Teaching Status from PADI, during which timeframe we will be conducting Specialty Instructor training.

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Can I work in return for free training?

No, it's illegal to work in return for receiving training or any form of payment for free as a foreigner in Thailand unless a work permit is held. Work permits aren't that expensive in Thailand but are subject to various restrictions for the company issuing them, it's not likely this will be offered to you.

To find out more about your legal status in Thailand please visit www.thaivisa.com which provides excellent information on this topic, especially in the visa- and work permit related forums.

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Can I work part time to fund the course or can I split payments?

A very common question is that people would like to work in a bar or in a hotel. It's difficult to get a position in this field since Thais protect their own labour force this way.

As for split payments, this is not possible, before the start of the first course you participate in, you will have to pay the full balance of the remaining course fees and required PADI materials obtained through us.

We do accept a 30% (non refundable) deposit but full payment needs to be completed either upon arrival or latest at the start of your first course.

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Are flight costs included in the package prices?

No, they are not. There are so many variables, options and prices that we can’t include these into our package prices.

You will have to book your own flight to and once you arrive here, I can help you out with finding or arranging for local transportation to your course location.

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Do I need to be healthy?

If you have a general good health and you're reasonably fit, there should be no problem for you to take up diving.

Once you turn a DMT (Dive Master Trainee) you will need to get a physical examination here, which costs around 500,-THB. You will have to fill out a PADI Medical Statement in order to be signed off for your Divemaster course.

PADI has a general rule that you need a completely filled out Medical Statement before you begin a course (which is a really good policy!). In Thailand this statement doesn't need to be verified by a physician, unless you answer one of these questions with a 'Yes" answer or in order to participate in a Divemaster and/or Instructor course (IDC).

Before you book a course, have a look at the PADI Medical Statement to see if there are any problems. Keep in mind that the majority of people who need to see a physician because they answered a question with 'Yes', are able to continue with their dive course.

If you have a different Medical Statement than the PADI Medical Statement, make sure that your statement reads that you are 'fit to dive', that your medical statement doesn't have any restrictions and is not older than 12 months.

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Do your tanks have INT or DIN valves?

All the scuba tanks used during courses with IDC Thailand have INT valves and adaptors are available in case you don’t have or bring your own adaptor.

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How about insurance, hospital facilities and local recompression chambers?

It's always a good idea to have insurance.

Basic travel insurance is almost a must, however this may be expensive and you may be restricted in the duration of your travel insurance. There for I suggest using an international medical package through Bupa (BUPA.COM) or any other reputable insurance company.

Although insurance isn't required in Thailand, it’s worthwhile checking out your options for diving insurance. Not all general health insurances will cover diving. For diving insurance I suggest to look at DAN or Divers Alert Network (diversalertnetwork.org).

For your general health insurance, make sure that you're covered for driving motorcycles up to 125CC. The motorbikes that you rent here will most likely be around 80 to 100 or even 125 CC.

Koh Samui has excellent hospital facilities and you will be surprised by the service, cleanliness and professionalism of the staff and facilities. Near Chaweng there are 4 hospitals plus there's a Government Hospital in Nathon.

Samui supports two hyperbaric chambers. One is located in Bang Rak, near all major piers on Samui and a mono chamber is located in Bangkok - Samui hospital.

During your Divemaster and/or Instructor training you will have the opportunity to make a visit to the local recompression chamber in Bang Rak and participate in a tour of the facilities.

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How can I get to Koh Samui?

There are various ways of getting to Samui from Bangkok. My blog page on how to get to/from Samui may be helpful. In a nutshell, you can get to/from Samui by bus, by train and probably easiest, by plane.

By bus;

There are regular buses running from the Southern bus terminal in Bangkok directly to Samui.

You can also book tickets to Samui from Khao San road in Bangkok.

By train;

From Bangkok you can take a train to Surat Thani train station, where touts will be waiting to sell you tickets to the ferry piers to Samui.

By plane;

Regarding flights to Samui, Bangkok Air had the sole and exclusive rights to fly to Koh Samui but recently Thai Air has added two daily flights between Bangkok and Samui.

You can book flights directly on Bangkok Air's web site at www.bangkokair.com

Note that the first and the last flight of the day have special rates which are cheaper than the standard rate.

If you sign up for their Flyer Bonus program, you receive an additional 10kg luggage allowance, amongst other benefits.

You can sign up here; http://flyerbonus.bangkokair.com/ffp/home.aspx?param=2|1

Many domestic destinations, like Phuket, are connected to Samui by Bangkok Air as well.

There are also direct flights between Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang to Samui.

Upon arrival at Samui airport we will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation on Koh Samui.

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Where is my PADI Instructor qualification recognized?

After completion of the courses, all PADI certifications are valid and accepted worldwide and you can start working as either a PADI Divemaster or PADI OWSI.

You will be affiliated with PADI, the largest recreational dive organization in the world who holds a 70% worldwide market share within the recreational dive industry and is considered to be the market leader.

Websites like Dive4jobs.com have the option to post your resume and look for worldwide jobs in all great dive locations that you ever heard of. Once you are a PADI member (Divemaster or higher) you will also gain access to PADI’s employment board at the PADI Member part of their website which lists many DM and Instructor jobs around the world.

Camille’s IDC Facebook group is also a good way to stay in touch with your fellow IDC candidates and help each other with job searches around the world.

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What do I need to bring?

  • 4 passport sized photos
  • Copies of all non PADI certification cards from Open Water through to Divemaster 
  • Copy of the last page of your log book showing proof of 100+ dives
  • EFR certification dated within the past 2 years. Alternative first aid/CPR certification may be acceptable but please check with us in advance
  • Medical statement confirming you are fit to dive dated within the past year
  • Any PADI books and materials you have already purchased
  • Your credit card – PADI fees cannot be paid in cash
  • Any personal diving equipment you may have (please note that whilst we offer equipment hire throughout your IDC and IE, we strongly recommend that you purchase and bring your own. You can also purchase your dive equipment with us).

Your equipment should consist of:

  • Regulator with octopus, console with depth gauge in metres & SPG
  • BCD with power inflator
  • Wetsuit
  • Mask, snorkel, fins
  • Timing device
  • Dive knife, compass, whistle, blank slate, safety sausage
  • Dive computer
If you have a DIN connection on your first stage, please bring an adapter. In the South East Asian region INT valves are the norm.

DIN - adapaters are also for sale.

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