What do I need to bring for my Internship?

We are very excited to welcome you for your Internship at XTC Dive Center! We wanted to make sure that you are prepared and have everything that you need to make this experience as stress-free and fun as possible, so we’ve put together a list of things to bring to help you get ready and pack. This list is by no means exhaustive, so please use some common sense as well 😉

Firstly, every course has prerequisites… please check which ones are required for your course and make sure they are covered. Bring your existing dive certifications with you, especially if they are not PADI ones as we won’t be able to look some of the others up online. Your log book will also be required to prove how many dives you have (digital is fine). All professional-level courses require you to have a medical certificate from your Doctor! You can find the medical questionnaire here: https://goproxcalak.com/medical-questionnaire/

It does say if you can answer no to all the questions then you don’t need your Doctor to sign it, but please note that this is not the case for the pro-level courses… you will still need this signed and stamped by your Doctor. Make sure it’s dated within 12 months of your departure date, so you’re covered.

Next you’ll be needing some basic materials to help you study. A notebook will be handy, as well as a calculator, pens, pencils, sharpener and eraser. You’re also going to need a laptop or tablet device and mobile phone for Elearning materials, digital Instructor Manuals and using various apps. You have probably ordered your PADI materials through XTC, so no need to bring them if that’s the case, but if you haven’t then add them to the list. Dust off the RDP Table and eRDPml from your open water course and get that packed as well.

If you’re bring your own dive equipment, then tanks and weights will be available for use throughout your course. Make sure your kit consists of fins, mask, snorkel, BCD (with tank mount or separate backpack, and low pressure inflator), regulator set (with primary regulator, alternate air source and submersible pressure gauge), wetsuit or other exposure protection suitable for water that is 24-30*C, dive computer and instructions for use, time monitoring device (can be your dive computer if it has this capability), compass, diver’s tool or scissors, audible surface signaling device (whistle, air horn, etc.) and delayed surface marker buoy with reel.

You will need to bring with you ATLEAST your dive computer or RDP and time monitoring device, as well as a compass and delayed marker buoy. All other required equipment is available to rent should you not wish to carry it with you. Do bear in mind though that, as a PADI Professional, you will be required to have this equipment in the future, particularly if you want to work in the industry, so you could also consider this amazing dive package from one of our partners: https://goproxcalak.com/equipment-offer/

What else? Remember that you are coming to an incredibly remote area. There are very few shops in Xcalak! You will need to bring your sunscreen (reef-safe please), insect repellent, prescription medications, toiletries and other things that you will need with you… as you will find it difficult to buy these items in Xcalak (and if you do find them they will be overpriced!)

If you are staying in the XTC Divemaster House (or another local rented house) in the Village then you will need to bring sheets, pillows, towel and a single mosquito net with you. Please be aware that the local housing is very basic here in Xcalak, you will not find any AC or hot water! In the DM house there is a fridge and we have put some basic pots and pans in case you want to cook, but it will only be suitable for some simple meals. A “pay upfront” full-board meal plan is available or you will be offered a DMT discount on food and drinks from the XTC Bar & Grill if you’d like to have someone cook for you instead!

There are no laundry facilities in the house. You can bring some detergent to do handwashing if you like or the XTC Housekeeper offers very reasonable laundry services (please arrange with her and pay her directly).

Xcalak has a relaxed, beach-wear dress code, so shorts, t-shirts and flip flops are going to be your essential packing. Having said this… we do expect you to show a professional image when you are at XTC, so please pack accordingly and bring enough changes of clothes for “in-between washes”. This is a hot environment and you will be working outside helping to load boats, fill tanks etc. It is not fair to our guests or to your fellow candidates for you to wear the same outfit all week long in the hot sun… if you get our drift?! We will give you 2 XTC t-shirts which we will expect you to launder regularly and wear when you are around the Dive Center. You may want to bring a rash vest for wearing on the boat to protect you from the sun without harming the reef.

As we already mentioned this list is not exhaustive and we’re sure there are other things that you would like to bring. If you’re running short of space or weight limit, then we also recommend spending a day in Cancun or Playa Del Carmen before you head to Xcalak. This way you can stop by the supermarket and pick up some of the heavier items, like sun screen, repellent, toiletries etc. You can also buy simple sheets and pillows if you don’t want to travel with them.

We all look forward to seeing you soon and helping you start your adventure as a PADI professional!

PACKING LIST:

• Passport
• Travel documents
• Visa documents (check with your embassy for regulations)
• Dive Certifications (digital is fine, but we MUST have physical copies of non-PADI certifications)
• Medical certificate (dated within 12 months of your end date)
• Calculator
• Pens, pencils, sharpener and eraser
• Notebook
• Laptop or tablet device
• Smart phone
• PADI materials
• RDP Table
• eRDPml (digital version is fine)
• Log book
• Mask and snorkel
• Fins
• BCD
• Regulator set
• Wetsuit
• Rash vest
• Dive computer and instructions for use
• Time monitoring device
• Compass
• Diver’s tool or scissors
• Audible surface signaling device (whistle, air horn, etc.)
• Delayed surface marker buoy with reel
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Medications
• Toiletries
• Snacks or specialist foods
• Towel
• Sheets
• Travel pillow
• Mosquito net
• Laundry detergent
• Casual beach clothes
• Warmer clothes for cooler days e.g. hoodie
• Flip flops
• Sneakers
• Waterproof jacket