SSI Open Water Instructor Course

The SSI Open Water Instructor Course is the final step in becoming a fully qualified scuba diving educator. This professional‑level program develops your teaching mastery, leadership ability, and confidence to independently train and certify new divers. As an SSI Open Water Instructor, you’ll be able to inspire new divers, share your passion for the underwater world, and build a rewarding career anywhere in the dive industry.

Online Learning & Academic Development

Your instructor journey begins with SSI’s comprehensive digital learning modules, designed to build the theoretical and educational foundation required for professional‑level teaching. 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

• Risk management, standards, and professional responsibilities

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 teaching style and communication skills

• Learn how to evaluate student understanding

• Build confidence in leading academic sessions independently

Confined Water Teaching Workshops

Your confined water workshops focus on developing your ability to teach, demonstrate, and supervise students at a professional level. You will:

• Deliver 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 conduct confined water training on your own.

Open Water Teaching Workshops

In open water, you’ll apply your teaching skills in real‑world training scenarios. You will:

• Conduct open water training dives under instructor‑trainer supervision

• Learn to evaluate student performance safely and accurately

• Practise managing groups in open water environments

• Gain experience handling common challenges during training dives

• Demonstrate your ability to plan, brief, conduct, and debrief full training dives

This hands‑on experience ensures you are fully prepared to teach and certify divers independently.

Certification

Upon successfully completing the SSI Open Water Instructor Course and Instructor Evaluation, you’ll earn the SSI Open Water Instructor certification. This globally recognised professional rating allows you to:

• Teach and certify SSI Open Water Divers

• Conduct a range of SSI specialty programs

• Lead training in confined and open water

• Work as a professional scuba instructor anywhere in the world

This qualification is the gateway to a fulfilling career in diver education and the foundation for future professional growth.

Time Frame

The SSI Open Water Instructor Course blends online study, academic development, and intensive 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 Teaching Workshops

3–4 days of skill demonstration, student management, and teaching practice

Open Water Teaching Workshops

2–3 days of real‑world teaching scenarios and evaluation

Instructor Evaluation (IE)

2 days

What’s Included

Your SSI Open Water 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 Instructor Trainers

• Insurance during all training activities

• All scuba equipment required for the course (or use your own professional kit if preferred)