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Professional Programs

Open Water Instructor (ISO 24802-2) | Instructor Training Course Instructor Evaluation

Intent

The SSI Instructor Training Course provides candidates with the knowledge and training necessary to organize and conduct entry-level recreational scuba training courses and the specialty programs taught by an SSI Open Water Instructor.

Minimum Instructor Rating

  • An active status Instructor Trainer may conduct the Instructor Training Course.
  • An active status Instructor Certifier may conduct the Instructor Evaluation (IE), if they do not have a direct involvement with the candidates training during their Instructor Training Course.

Candidate Prerequisites

  • Minimum age | 18 years old.
Have the following SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • Divemaster
  • Enriched Air Nitrox 40

Instructor Training Course

  • Have logged at least 60 open water dives totaling 40 hours or more.
  • Be an Open Water Diver or higher for at least six (6) months prior to starting the Instructor Training Course.

Open Water Instructor | Instructor Evaluation

  • Have logged at least 100 open water dives totaling 65 hours or more.

Duration

  • Instructor Training Course | Recommended hours for completion 70–80.

Depth Limitations

  • Maximum open water depth limit | 40 meters.

Minimum Supervision

  • An active status Instructor Trainer must directly supervise all academic and in-water activities for the Instructor Training Course.
  • An active status Instructor Certifier must directly supervise all academic and in-water activities for the Instructor Evaluation.

Requirements For Completion

Instructor Training Course

  • Read and complete all sections, including reviews and assessments, from the Instructor Training Course digital learning.
  • Complete all academic sessions, requirements, and evaluations as outlined in the instructor manual for the Instructor Training Course.
  • Complete and pass the Instructor Training Course final exam.

Open Water Instructor | Instructor Evaluation

  • Pass all requirements and evaluations listed in the instructor manual for the Instructor Evaluation.

Note | The Standards and Procedures final exam is only required if the candidate has not completed it previously.

Certification

  • Upon completion of training, upload the candidate’s training record with all required documentation into the MySSI System.
  • Upon completion of the Instructor Training Course, candidates may participate in an Instructor Evaluation. The Instructor Evaluation must be conducted within six (6) months of the completion of the Instructor Training Course.
  • If it has been more than six (6) months, an Instructor Trainer will need to conduct a reevaluation to determine if the candidate still has proficient knowledge and skills before attending an Instructor Evaluation.

Active Status Qualifications

Active status Open Water Instructors may teach, supervise, and issue certifications for the following programs after completing the Instructor Evaluation:
  • Try Scuba
  • Basic Diver
  • Referral Diver
  • Indoor Diver
  • Scuba Diver
  • Open Water Diver
  • Experienced Diver Test
  • Scuba Skills Update
  • Advanced Adventurer
They will receive the following Specialty Instructor certifications:
  • Perfect Buoyancy
  • Diver Stress & Rescue
  • Enriched Air Nitrox
  • Science of Diving
  • Dive Guide
They may also complete free online upgrades for the following Specialty Instructor certifications:
  • Computer Diving
  • Marine Ecology
  • SSI Explorers

Certifying Professionals from Other Training Agencies

Professionals from other training agencies may earn the equivalent SSI Professional certification.

Completion Requirements

Before beginning training, each candidate must:
  • Hold the equivalent certifications from their current training agency as outlined in the SSI Training Standards. See SSI Training Standards > Equivalency Charts.
  • Register for the applicable professional certifications.
  • Purchase the applicable physical materials if they are available for the program.
  • Upload digital copies of all required documentation and existing certifications into MySSI.
All candidates must:
  • Read and complete all sections, including reviews and assessments, from the Instructor Training Course digital learning.
  • Complete and pass the Instructor Training Course final exam.
  • Complete all academic sessions as outlined in the instructor manual for the Instructor Training Course.
  • Pass all requirements and evaluations for Practical Applications Sessions 2, 7, 8, and 10 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Instructor Training Course.
  • Pass all requirements and evaluations listed in the instructor manual for the Instructor Evaluation.

Instructor Evaluation

Scheduling an Instructor Evaluation:
An active status Instructor Trainer (IT) must register the candidate(s) for an Instructor Evaluation (IE) in MySSI at least six (6) weeks prior to the scheduled Instructor Evaluation start date.
If the registration is completed less than six (6) weeks prior to the start date, or the Instructor Evaluation (IE) is requested for fewer than four (4) candidates, the Instructor Evaluation cannot be guaranteed.
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