Adaptive Techniques Instructor

The PADI Adaptive Techniques Specialty Instructor course prepares experienced PADI professionals to open diving up to a wider range of students by teaching them how to adjust equipment, communication and in-water technique for divers with physical, sensory or cognitive differences. It is a one-day course at Diving Academy designed specifically for instructors who already hold a current teaching status.

Rather than treating adaptive diving as a niche add-on, the course reframes inclusive teaching as a core professional skill. You will work through practical strategies for assessing individual student needs, modifying gear configurations, adapting briefings and demonstrations, and structuring pool and open water sessions so that divers of all abilities can train safely and confidently towards their own goals.

To join, you need to hold a PADI Instructor rating in Scuba, Tec, Mermaid or Freediving, or be currently enrolled in or have completed an IDC or OWSI within the last twelve months. This keeps the course focused on teaching technique for instructors who are already comfortable running certification programmes, rather than covering entry-level instructional skills.

Completing the Adaptive Techniques Specialty Instructor course lets you teach the Adaptive Techniques Specialty to your own students and adds a genuinely useful, in-demand rating to your instructor toolkit. It also counts toward the five specialties needed for Master Scuba Diver Trainer status, making it a smart choice for instructors building out their teaching portfolio at Diving Academy in Reading.