Instructor Training Course & Evaluation
COURSE DATES: 08/02/26 - 08/09/26
This course is a special event that has been specifically designed for certified SSI Assistant Instructors who are ready to take the next step in their professional diving career and become Open Water Instructors. Throughout the program, candidates will develop, refine, and demonstrate the knowledge, teaching abilities, water skills, and professional conduct required of an SSI Open Water Instructor. The course focuses on instructional techniques, academic presentations, confined water teaching skills, open water evaluations, risk management, student control, and diver safety.
Participants will receive coaching and mentorship from experienced Instructor Trainers while completing the required performance standards and evaluations. Successful completion of the course and instructor evaluation demonstrates that the candidate has met the training requirements and possesses the competency, confidence, and professionalism expected of an SSI Open Water Instructor.
Whether your goal is to teach recreational divers locally or pursue professional opportunities around the world, this program will prepare you to confidently lead and inspire the next generation of divers.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
Our professional level courses are completed in structured phases designed to build your knowledge, skills, and confidence every step of the way!
STEP 1: DIGITAL LEARNING
Begin your training with SSI's interactive digital learning materials, which you will complete at your own pace before attending your first class. These materials provide the theoretical foundation required for professional-level training and cover topics such as dive leadership, risk management, good stewardship, teaching methodologies, diver safety, standards and procedures, and professional responsibilities.
STEP 2: IN-PERSON TRAINING
Professional-level training includes a combination of classroom sessions, workshops, practical exercises, pool evaluations, and open water skill development. During this phase, candidates work directly with an Instructor Trainer or Professional Training Team to refine their diving abilities, leadership skills, problem-solving techniques, and instructional methods. This blended approach allows participants to:
- Learn directly from experienced dive professionals
- Develop leadership and supervisory skills
- Practice teaching and presentation techniques
- Ask questions and receive immediate guidance
- Improve watermanship and demonstration-quality dive skills
- Facilitates collaborative work and learning
- Gain experience managing and assisting divers in training environments
- Build confidence in professional-level decision making and risk management
- Develop the professionalism expected of SSI and Aquatic Specialties Dive Professionals
In-Person Training Requirements for Open Water Instructor: Five days of training for the Instructor Training Course (08/02/2026 - 08/06/2026)
STEP 3: EVALUATIONS
Professional certifications require candidates to demonstrate competency through a series of practical evaluations, teaching presentations, skills demonstrations. leadership exercises, and in-water assessments. Throughout this phase, candidates will apply their knowledge and training in real-wrold scenarios while demonstrating the standards required for professional certification.
Evaluation Requirements for Open Water Instructor: Three days of training for the Instructor Training Evaluations (08/07/2026 - 08/09/2026)
Important: Course schedules are subject to change based on season, weather conditions, instructor availability, and student needs. If additional in-water training is required, students may be asked to attend additional pool sessions or complete extra dives outside of scheduled class time, which may be subject to additional fees. Please note that dives being conducted from a charter will also include additional fees.
COURSE INCLUDES:
The course fee includes:
- Professional course registration and certification fees
- Lifetime access to the SSI digital logbook, digital certification cards, dive tables, and related resources
- All scheduled training sessions with the course (see above)
- All scheduled evaluations included with the course (see above)
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
If applicable, candidates may have to pay additional costs including, but not limited to:
- Digital Materials (Approx. $525)
- SSI Professional Registration Fees (Approx. $100)
- Professional Liability Insurance (Varies by insurance agency)
- Physcial Instructor Materials (Approx. $93)
Other additional costs, if applicable, may include but are not limited to charter or boat fees, park or site entry fees, required personal equipment, equipment rentals, custom or expedited class fees, private class fees, and/or any additional dives or training time required beyond the standard course. Please call the shop if you have any questions about what additional costs may apply to your specific course or training schedule!
| REQUIREMENT | DETAILS |
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REQUIRED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT (Must Purchase/Own)
The following items must be purchased / owned by each participant before starting the course:
- Instructor materials
- Dive slate
- Delayed surface marker buoy (This is different from a dive flag)
- Total diving system:
- BCD
- Regulator
- Dive Computer
- Cylinders
- Weights and weight belt / pockets
- Wetsuit
- The "basics" **:
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Hood
- Boots
- Gloves
- 2 Mouthpieces
We recommend purchasing your equipment at Aquatic Specialties so we can personally fit the equipment to you and your body type. We have many different brands, styles, and sizes, and having equipment that fits well will enhance your performance in the water and make your dive experience more enjoyable! We offer our students a 10% discount* on any required equipment that is purchased while actively enrolled in a course! Every customer matters and your support of your local dive shop is the backbone to our success. Your patronage motivates us to keep improving, and allows us to be able to provide you with the services that we do today - together, we will dive into great things!
*Some restrictions apply on select products
**This list of basic equipment would have been purchased for your Open Water certification and is not included in our rentals due to sanitation and fit.
RENTAL GEAR (Not Included)
Use of rental equipment for any open water dives conducted outside of the classroom is not included in the course fee; however, rental equipment may be available to rent.
Please Note: Students are responsible for picking up, transporting, and returning their own rental equipment. If transport is needed on our part, an additional surcharge may apply.
To ensure a safe, successful, and enjoyable dive experience, we ask that all students take the following responsibilities seriously throughout the course:
GEAR TRANSPORTATION
Students are responsible for transporting their own personal equipment and rental equipment to and from each class and dive session. If you are unable to do so, we may be able to assist with transport for an additional surcharge. Please let us know in advance so we can make arrangements.
PUNCTUALITY & ATTENDANCE
Arrive on time for all sessions. Diving requires structure and safety protocols - late arrivals may miss important briefings and could be asked to reschedule at an added cost. Full attendance is required for certification.
PRE-COURSE STUDY
If your course includes eLearning or textbook materials, they must be completed before your first in-person session. This ensures you understand the theory and can focus on skills during practical training.
MINDSET & FOCUS
Stay attentive and engaged throughout the course. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and support your fellow divers. Please be mindful that this is a classroom setting and we are all here to learn together. If you would like a private class, please contact the shop for more information. Teamwork is a key part of the experience!
MEDICAL & PHYSICAL READINESS
You must complete a medical questionnaire prior to starting the course. If any answers indicate a potential condition, a physician's clearance may be required. Being comfortable in the water and in reasonably good health is essential for completion of the prerequisites of this course. Swimming is involved.
COMMUNICATION
Keep in touch with us if anything changes - whether it is scheduling conflicts, health concerns, or gear issues. We are here to help, and clear communication ensures a smoother experience for everyone!
Need help preparing or have questions? Reach out to our team at any time - we are here to support you at every step of your diving journey!
Check out some of our other courses we have available for our certified Open Water students to advance their skills!
Nitrox (Ages 10+): The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox program provides students with basic knowledge and skills needed to safely dive using breathing gas with enriched gas mixtures. Have you ever dreamed of having longer no-decompression limits to take pictures or explore a wreck? Did you ever want to be safer while diving concerning the potential risk of decompression sickness? Nitrox is the key. In your enriched air nitrox class, you will learn all of the necessary rules for planning dives with nitrox and using nitrox in a safe way.
Navigation (Ages 10+): This class teaches advanced skills and knowledge you need to safely and confidently navigate underwater. You will learn how to use a compass and natural navigation techniques, estimate distance, how to leave and return to a designated point. All of these will hone your underwater observation skills, improve your dive safety and help you to get the most out of every dive.
Wreck/Advanced Wreck Diving (Ages 15+): In Wreck Diving, you will be taught how to safely conduct non-penetration dives around wrecks and artificial reefs, up to a depth of 30 meters, and complete 2 dives around the perimeter of a wreck. Advanced Wreck allows limited penetration within the daylight zone into wrecks with an overhead environment. The training required for this type of diving is overhead buoyancy control (We recommend taking a Perfect Buoyancy class), new finning techniques, optional laying safety lines, and the proper use of lights.
Please note: Some courses have other prerequisites or required equipment that is necessary to complete the class. Please see the "prerequisites" and "required equipment" tabs for each individual class for more details.
