MD-5 · Instructor Trainer™
Twenty-two modules: two orientation modules (orientation and the capstone shift), seventeen content modules and three practicum and portfolio modules. The seventeen cover the trainer role, standards governance and decision rights, faculty selection, train-the-trainer learning design, modeling and deliberate practice, mentoring and supervision, assessment design, assessor calibration and bias control, safety leadership and human factors, ethics and safeguarding, curriculum stewardship and change control, quality audits and incident learning, regional implementation, research and evidence governance, digital academy and accessibility, ocean and happiness leadership, trainer wellbeing and succession; the three practicum modules prepare the Trainer Academy, the supervised MD-4 cohort and the portfolio and panel review.
Passing the online exam records MD-5 as knowledge complete — not as Instructor Trainer authorization. Authorization needs the in-person Authorization Practicum and panel review. Online sign-off is not available yet: write to hello@mindfuldiving.org and the Institute will tell you about current practicum and panel arrangements.
MD-5
Develop and assess instructors consistently, with independent decisions, documented evidence and responsible programme stewardship. Train faculty within the Institute’s authorised trainer role.
22 chapters · 54 practical readings and tools. Allow additional time for exercises, portfolio work and supervised assessments.
Read the objective, practise the steps and try a scenario with explained feedback. These practice checks do not affect your grade. Further reflection and the original lesson audio are optional. Study at your own pace; agree the practical schedule with your centre.
Rehearse spoken phrases on land. Underwater, use the trained signals you agreed before entry.
Trainer entry requires MD-4 certification with at least one full year teaching the level, an instructor trainer or course director rating with a recognised agency, and a Standards Council invitation. Paying for study does not grant trainer candidacy or authority.
Complete all lessons and answer every chapter-check question correctly; retries are allowed. The practical guide does not replace the exam or supervised evidence.
Final exam: 90% and every safety-critical question correct. If you pass with any wrong answers, you walk each missed item and acknowledge it before the credential is issued. Attempts are unlimited.
An Institute-approved supervised plan: instructor cohort, mentoring, portfolio, viva and panel review. A seven-day Trainer Academy is a recommended delivery design, not a universal certification minimum. MD-5 has no personal dive-count requirement.
Anyone may delay, skip or end a dive at any time, without shame and without having to justify it. If your buddy signals to end, confirm and end together following the plan.
Safety boundary. Your dive plan, limits and agency procedures take priority. On scuba, breathe naturally and continuously as trained, without breath-holding or imposed patterns. Breathing difficulty requires trained safety procedures; it must not be treated as simply an emotion. This course is not therapy and does not extend your diving qualifications.
MD5 has no personal dive-count requirement. The Institute-approved plan covers a complete MD4 cohort, mentoring, portfolio, viva and panel. For every teaching dive in that cohort, use the matching MD4 dive card for that session, with the trainer candidate supervising and the authorised assessor recording the trainer candidate’s decisions. These stages are planning guidance, not additional certification thresholds.
Learning goal: Plan a complete supervised MD4 cohort within authorised scope.
Observed evidence: Approved plan and responsibility/observation schedule; unresolved safety or scope gaps returned for revision.
Learning goal: Observe and support instructor candidates without losing safety or assessment independence.
Observed evidence: Dated observation for each cohort teaching dive, MD4 rubric reference, supervision decision, feedback and any re-observation plan.
Learning goal: Help candidates improve and assemble a traceable cohort evidence file.
Observed evidence: Mentoring notes, portfolio index and closed or explicitly outstanding evidence gaps; exclude private emotional disclosures and medical details.
Learning goal: Explain assessment decisions and submit the file for authorised review.
Observed evidence: Viva record, panel decision and any follow-up required under the Institute-approved plan.
Learning goal: Teach one approved concept clearly and within scope.
Before entry: Trainer approves the MD1/MD2 concept, real learners, plan, one cue and observation rubric before entry.
One MD-1 or MD-2 concept taught within an approved dive plan.
Observed evidence: Observe the candidate teach the approved concept to real learners within the agreed dive plan; identify what the learner can now do.
Claims stated without overreach; evidence language reviewed.
Observed evidence: Note the exact explanation used; check it avoids clinical promises, unsupported claims and scope expansion.
One clear cue only — no cognitive overload.
Observed evidence: Observe one clear cue and the learner response; note whether the candidate simplifies when the cue adds load.
Rubric completed with observable evidence.
Observed evidence: The trainer records an observable example and rating for each relevant published rubric domain, not a general impression.
Learning goal: Protect normal scuba breathing, access and task priorities while teaching.
Before entry: Confirm learner access needs privately, agreed adaptations, ordinary breathing boundary and exact cancellation conditions.
Breathing kept continuous as taught by the diver's agency; no breathing technique or attention exercise added underwater.
Observed evidence: Observe instruction that preserves ordinary continuous agency-trained breathing; no added breathing technique or underwater attention exercise is offered.
No practice element introduced during a task-critical phase.
Observed evidence: Observe optional teaching withdrawn before descent, ascent, gas management or any emerging problem requires attention.
Access considerations named and accommodated.
Observed evidence: Observe the agreed access adaptation and whether the learner can use the cue; record the adaptation, not a diagnosis.
Instructor kept control of the dive environment throughout.
Observed evidence: Observe trainer/candidate supervision, spacing and control of the teaching area; record any intervention and what must be re-observed.
Learning goal: Adapt teaching to learners without leaving the approved dive plan.
Before entry: Before entry, approve the observable outcome, primary tasks, optional elements, cancellation trigger, signals and support roles.
Observable outcome, primary tasks and optional elements stated before entry.
Observed evidence: Ask the candidate to state what learners should demonstrate and which dive tasks take priority; check the plan matches that statement.
Exact cancellation trigger named; signals and support roles confirmed.
Observed evidence: Have candidate and support team explain the exact cancellation trigger, signals and responsibilities before entry.
Learner responses observed and instruction adapted early.
Observed evidence: Observe a learner response and a timely adjustment, simplification or cancellation; never add load to force an adaptation.
Debrief and evidence recorded the same day.
Observed evidence: Check the same-day debrief and observation record link the learner response, teaching decision and next action.
Learning goal: Deliver the capstone and complete the formal practical assessment.
Before entry: Trainer confirms design review has resolved safety, scope and assessment gaps; agree the full session and assessment plan.
Session plan approved at design review with no unresolved safety, scope or assessment gaps.
Observed evidence: Check the approved session plan and design-review record before delivery; unresolved gaps require revision before entry.
Four-part arc delivered with timing and transitions.
Observed evidence: Observe the complete four-part arc with real students, timing, transitions and adaptations; also complete the required full land briefing and debrief assessment.
Practical competency matrix completed by the assessor.
Observed evidence: The authorised trainer completes the published practical competency matrix with ratings, dated examples and any further-practice requirements.
Certification decision rule applied and recorded.
Observed evidence: Apply and record the existing decision rule, signed practical assessment, MD5 trainer review and Institute countersignature/Standards Council review. A completed card alone does not issue a credential.
Published practical matrix: 12 domains
For each domain record: not yet reliable / developing / reliable, evidence, conditions and prompting. A safety-critical criterion that is not yet reliable requires remediation and reassessment; other strengths cannot compensate.
You do not have to feel calm or share anything personal to belong here. Pause whenever you need.
Choose a comfortable text size or listen to the lesson. Reading settings let you adjust the space.
Take what feels useful into everyday life. Personal reflection can stay on paper; follow the course guidance for any required portfolio.
Try the module scenarios and read the feedback. Revisit a lesson whenever you need, then continue to the next module.
Your purchase activates the included learning. Certification requires completed learning, verified practice and the applicable assessment; attendance alone is not enough. PRO affiliation and teaching authorization are separate.
MD-5: bespoke training and assessment plan with MDI.
Ask for a breakdown of online learning, instruction, logistics, taxes and extras; confirm who collects payment, the authorized instructor and weather/cancellation terms. If the package already includes your course, do not buy it again. Use your individual email for access and records.
The MD-1 to MD-3 certification fee is included for eligible center enrollments assessed by that center’s active, authorized PRO. Teaching is agreed separately.
On scuba, breathe naturally and continuously as trained; never hold, skip or deliberately restrict your breathing. Keep attention on your buddy, buoyancy, gas and surroundings. Leave optional exercises out of descents, ascents and any demanding task.
Keep every practice within your training, agency standards and dive plan. Emergency procedures take priority. Anyone may decline a practice or end a dive. This is education, not therapy, medical clearance or agency endorsement.
Complete the learning and assessments, then check your course's water verification, practicum and approval requirements. A completion record and professional teaching authority are different outcomes.
Mindful Diving Institute
Choose what you want to practise next. Everything here is optional; you can also revisit your course or use a free practice.
Prices cover online learning. Agree water sessions, practical assessment and professional affiliation costs separately before enrolling.
MB-G
Learn to facilitate bounded breathing-awareness sessions, with consent, observation and assessed practice.
Mindful Breath Guide requires MD-1 or equivalent mindful-diving training, plus an active professional diving rating or a recognized breath-teacher qualification.
€222
Course details and prerequisitesDM-F
Explore fear and doubt, rehearse a conversation and write your own dive-day plan.
€55
Course details and prerequisitesLO-F
This free companion carries MDI’s connection between technical learning, emotional awareness and connection into life between dives. Here you can explore being yourself, receiving support and connecting with the living ocean through land-based reflection. No diving experience or water entry is required.
Free
Course details and prerequisitesGuide and instructor programs have additional prerequisites and observed assessments. Buying a course does not grant teaching authority.
Prices cover online learning. Agree water sessions, practical assessment and professional affiliation costs separately before enrolling.