PADI Tec 40 CCR course in Galapagos

This is all so exciting. I have Paul Tompkins, a research scientist studying macro algae in Galapagos here with me today.

It's amazing how we can connect right away and drift into the thought of deep reefs just like that, haha. We haven't finished his course and we are already thinking of trimix dives to discover cool stuff in the unexplored depths of Galapagos.

Paul has just started his Tec 40 CCR course here at the Galapagos TipTop Diving Facility. This is the first ever PADI CCR course taught in Galapagos and Ecuador, look out for photos sometime soon.


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PADI Sidemount Instructor Course, the first ever in Ecuador and Galapagos Islands

Life has been full of firsts in the past few years. This week I had the opportunity to teach the first ever sidemount course in Galapagos. My two students, Mauricio de Santiago and Nelson Salazar did the IDC and MSDT with me. After going through Equipment Specialist Instructor, Nitrox Instructor, Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor and Tec Rec Gas Blender Instructor we left the best for last: Sidemount.

The recreational sidemount instructor course was taught using PADI’s standardized guide. We started the course with a short knowledge development session that discussed many aspects of sidemount configuration. It’s hard to talk about sidemount diving without explaining (and more than often getting deeper and deeper into) technical diving and the benefits from which this configuration originated.

After the knowledge development session we put our hands on the gear to better understand the different types of sidemount rigs, their use and application. This took us into the pool and there we practiced all the drills and skills of the course. We then went to open water where we went through all the drills and skills again, this time with teaching presentations. This session was followed by some more knowledge development presentations.

As a result of this class (and probably due to my passion for technical diving and the extended chats about it) we scheduled a Tec 40 & 45 course for June. Nelson Salazar and Javier Mahauad (the photographer and another MSDT participant) will be taking it at the Galapagos Tip Top Dive & Training Facility.

Javier was not able to participate in this course due to his newly acquired otitis so there are no open water photos. On the other hand, we all hope he will be at the Tec 45. He is already certified as a Tec 40 diver so we will have an opening from June 3 to 7 if someone is interested in the Tec 40 rating. 

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April 2013 PADI Scuba Instructor Development Course (IDC) Completed

From left to right: PADI Course Director Jorge A. Mahauad, Andres Cadena, Fabian Salazar, Alejandra Rodriguez, Javier Mahauad, Nelson Salazar, Mauricio de Santiago and PADI Course Director Michel Guerrero

The April 2013 PADI Scuba Instructor Development Course at the Tip Top Dive and Training Facility finished a few days ago. We have been working on instructor specialties since then.

The IDC had real life experiences for everybody. While we were in the course a couple of Dive Master trainees joined us for some of the sessions. We also had an integrated EFR Instructor course to which non-diving candidates joined as corporate training for complying with OHSA requirements. One of the open water sessions also incorporated real divers and multi-level teaching.

I wanted to take the time and thank all the candidates for their great attitude and willingness to learn and advance. This was really an amazing experience for me and I really look forward to seeing you work and thrive in the real world.


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Kick-started!! March 2013 PADI Instructor Development Course in Galapagos

Our IDC was kick started today. We have a full house for this program. Welcome Andrés Cadena, Alejandra Rodríguez, Fabián Salazar, Javier Mahauad, Nelson Salazar and Mauricio de Santiago.

Our commitment is this: We will give you “Tip Top” training and attention. This is all about you!

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March 2013 PADI Instructor Development Course in Galapagos

My first PADI Instructor Development Course as a PADI Course Director, and the first in Galapagos Tip Top Dive & Training Facility is starting in a few days. Four of our Instructor Development candidates started their theory preparatory course yesterday and a few other will join soon. We went straight to the gist of it with the Physics and Physiology of Diving. Today they are remembering by doing PADI Divemaster exams.

The official IDC program will start on the 18th but we have a lot of work to do until then. After this week of preparation and study the EFR Instructor Course will take place. EFR is such a rich and broad program for people outside the diving industry and this is enforced during the instructor course. We will have 4 participants that who are non-divers. They will take the EFRI program in a business training package I had put together for them. I think that will be an interesting and new proposition for our soon to be EFR Instructors.

During the course of the IDC we will also have exciting new things to do. Rebreather orientation, technical diving equipment trials, the first ever PADI sidemount course taught in the Galapagos along with a very comprehensive Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) program are some of the highlights.

Watch this space for news about this.

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Galapagos CCR course profile: Nicolas Vera

Nicolas Vera is a naturalist and marine reserve dive guide in the Galapagos Islands. With over 15 years of experience in the islands, Nicolas is a very sought after professional by local tour operations and private mega yachts. As part of his diving career and personal interest in underwater videography, earlier this month Nicolas decided to become certified in the use of the Evolution Rebreather.

Nicolas’s Evolution Air Diluent Course was taught by Jorge A. Mahauad of Galapagos Rebreathers through the Galapagos Tip Top Dive and Training Facility between January 29 and February 5, 2013.

Throughout his course, Nicolas demonstrated good overall proficiency in the management of the unit, an in depth understanding of the dive theory behind rebreather diving and a very good attitude and mindset as a new CCR diver.

“I have already got job placements due to the rebreather certification but my major motivation to do this is the video side” he says. 

We look forward to working with Nicolas in the future as he is the first naturalist and marine reserve guide who have been certified in the use of closed circuit rebreathers in the Galapagos Islands.

For more photos click here

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CURSO DE INSTRUCTORES PADI - ABRIL 18 al 26 de 2013

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