SSI Assistant Instructor Course
The SSI Assistant Instructor Course is a professional‑level program designed to develop your teaching skills, leadership abilities, and confidence as a dive educator. This course prepares you to assist instructors, teach selected SSI programs independently, and take a major step toward becoming an SSI Open Water Instructor. It’s the ideal pathway for divers ready to turn their passion into a meaningful professional role.
 
Online Learning & Academic Development
Your journey begins with SSI’s comprehensive digital learning modules, designed to build the theoretical and educational foundation required for effective diver training. Through the online platform, you’ll explore:
The SSI Education System and teaching philosophy
Learning theory and student‑centred education
How to structure, deliver, and evaluate academic sessions
Effective communication and presentation techniques
Professional responsibilities, risk management, and safety standards
You can begin the digital learning as soon as you’re registered. It’s interactive, easy to follow, and completely self‑paced, allowing you to study whenever it suits you.
These online modules are then reinforced through in‑person academic workshops, where you will:
Practise delivering classroom presentations
Refine your communication and teaching style
Learn how to evaluate student understanding
Build confidence in leading academic sessions
 
Confined Water Teaching Workshops
Your confined water workshops focus on developing your ability to teach, demonstrate, and supervise students effectively. You will:
Learn to perform demonstration‑quality skills with clarity and precision
Practise supervising and managing student groups in confined water
Develop coaching techniques to support and correct student performance
Refine your buoyancy, positioning, and in‑water communication
These sessions prepare you to confidently assist with real student training.
 
Open Water Teaching Workshops
In open water, you’ll apply your teaching skills in real‑world training scenarios. You will:
Assist with student training under instructor supervision
Learn to evaluate student performance safely and accurately
Practise managing groups in open water environments
Gain experience handling common challenges during training dives
Build confidence in supporting full training dives from briefing to debriefing
This hands‑on experience is essential for becoming a capable and confident dive professional.
 
Certification
Upon successfully completing the SSI Assistant Instructor Course, you’ll earn a professional‑level certification that recognises your ability to assist with training and independently teach selected SSI programs. This qualification is a major milestone on the path to becoming an SSI Open Water Instructor and opens the door to a rewarding career in diver education.
 
Time Frame
The SSI Assistant Instructor Course blends online study, academic development, and practical workshops. Typical completion time:
Online Learning & Academic Preparation
1–2 weeks (self‑paced)
Academic Workshops
1–2 days of in‑person presentation training and evaluation
Confined Water Workshops
2–3 days of skill demonstration, student management, and coaching practice
Open Water Workshops
1–2 days of real‑world teaching scenarios and evaluation
 
What’s Included
Your SSI Assistant Instructor Course includes everything required for your professional development:
Full SSI digital learning materials
Academic teaching workshops and presentation practice
Confined water teaching and demonstration workshops
Open water teaching and evaluation workshops
Professional mentoring from experienced instructors
Insurance during all training activities
All scuba equipment required for the course (or use your own professional kit if preferred)