Instructor Training Course

Course Description:

This program provides candidates with the knowledge, concepts and training necessary to organise and conduct entry-level scuba training courses.  Candidates will learn the SSI Teaching System and philosophy, and how to effectively teach and evaluate Open Water Diver students.  It will also prepare the candidate for their Instructor Evaluation.  Candidates who complete this program and the Instructor Evaluation earn the SSI Open Water Instructor certification.

The Instructor Training Course will fully prepare you to become an Open Water Scuba Instructor.  This is an 8 day course plus a further 2 days for your practical assessment and evaluation.  You sit the Instructor Exam directly after the Instructor Training Course.  Once you have passed the Instructor Exam and the Instructor evaluation, you are certified as an Open Water Scuba Instructor and able to teach Open Water, Advanced, Rescue and Divemaster students.

Our Instructor Training team with over 50 years’ combined experience know the fundamental values of teaching scuba diving and will provide a wealth of knowledge and training to assist in your career development.

Your performance is measured throughout the programme to assist you to improve your abilities;  You are given an introduction to the business of diving, including economic, social, cultural, legal, governmental and environmental concerns as well as marketing and customer service.  You will be able to correctly identify potential risks and hazards when teaching people to dive, and you will also learn the correct standards to adhere to with SSI in Australia.

You will be assessed & evaluated on:

• Professionalism
• Water Fitness
• SSI Education System
• Academic Teaching
• In-water Teaching
• Guiding
• Briefing

Prerequisites

• At least 18 years of age
• Must be at least Divemaster certified
• A current medical (A.S. 2299) for scuba diving (valid within 12 months)
• Proof of current training in CPR and First Aid
• 75+ logged dives
• Enriched Air Nitrox certification

Dive Medical:

A dive medical is only required if you fall into one or more of the following categories:

Those with an at risk medical condition; or are over 45 years of age; or have a body mass index (BMI) over 30 AND a waist circumference greater than 102cm for males and 88cm for females.

If you fall into one or more of these categories you will need to obtain a diving medical (AS4005.1) The cost is roughly $100AUD and takes about 45 minutes to complete with a registered diving doctor.

If you are unsure please refer to our SSI Medical Waiver prior to booking.

Inclusions:

• Cost includes all SSI training materials and fees, tanks, weights, occasional lunches, open water boat dives and transfers

Course Schedule:

This is an academic and practical course involving academic presentations, pool confined training and open water evaluation. 

Days 1 – 8:  

Classroom and pool sessions covering all aspects of Instructor Training, followed by examination with a score of 90% or higher to receive certification

Day 9:  

Classroom and pool evaluation from authorised SSI Representative

Day 10:  

Open Water evaluation 

Certification & Active Status Requirements:

• Logged a total of at least 75 open water dives
• Provide and maintain proof of current training in first aid and CPR
• Provide and maintain certification in the emergency administration of oxygen
• Pass a fitness and watermanship evaluation if one has not been passed in the last 12 months
• Pass all Mini Exams with a minimum score of 90% averaged across all 4 exams
• Deliver at least 4 academic lessons on different subjects of various time spans with at least one 30-minute lesson being a pass at ITC level.  At least 4 lesson evaluation forms must be on file, including the passing lesson
• Pass and have on file, the facilitation of an academic session or workshop from:

1. the Open Water Diver course;
2. Stress & Rescue Specialty; and
3. Resort diver Program – Pool & Open Water

• Pass at least three pool presentations in the following areas:

1. General open water skill (OWD course)
2. Emergency skill; and
3. Rescue skill

• Pass at least three open water presentations in the following areas:

1. General open water skill (OWD course)
2. Emergency skill; and
3. Rescue skill

• Pass a Professionalism Evaluation
• Maintain Professional Liability Insurance (where applicable)

After passing the Instructor Training Instructor Candidates may do the following:

• Perform in the same role as a Dive Control Specialist;
• Conduct all academic sessions for the Open Water Diver program without supervision;
• To conduct exercises involving any self-aid or emergency skills that are done underwater using scuba equipment in the pool without supervision; and
• Once you are a certified Instructor, you may elect to complete an internship with our most senior instructors.  This will give you a significant advantage in finding long term employment within Australia and Internationally.