Freediving Training Standards and Procedures

Freediving Professional Programs

Freediving Assistant Instructor

Intent

The SSI Freediving Assistant Instructor Training Course provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to conduct the Pool Freediver program and Training Techniques specialty program in a safe and enjoyable manner.

Minimum Instructor Rating

An active status Freediving Assistant Instructor Trainer may conduct the Freediving Assistant Instructor Training Course.

Candidate Prerequisites

  • Minimum age: 18 years old.

Option 1

  • Have logged at least 50 in-water freediving sessions.
Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • Freediver
  • Training Techniques

Option 2

Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • Training Techniques
Have the following active status SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • Basic Freediving Instructor
Have issued at least:
  • 25 Basic Freediver certifications

Duration

  • Recommended hours for completion: 45-50.

Depth Limitations

  • Maximum pool/confined water depth limit: 5 meters.

In-Water Ratios

  • The candidate-to-instructor ratio is 6:1.
  • The ratio may increase to 8:2 with one (1) certified assistant.

Note | See General Training Standards > Conducting SSI Programs > Using Certified Assistants for the certified assistant requirements for this program.

Minimum Supervision

  • An active status Advanced Freediving Instructor may directly supervise all performance requirements under the indirect supervision of the Freediving Assistant Instructor Trainer conducting the program.
  • An active status Freediving Assistant Instructor Trainer must directly supervise all academic, pool/confined water, and open water training sessions.

Requirements For Completion

  • Read and complete Sections 1-6, including reviews and assessments, of the Freediving Instructor Training Course digital learning.
  • Complete Academic Sessions 1-6 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Freediving Instructor Training Course.
  • Complete the program’s final exam.
  • Complete the Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation as outlined in the SSI General Training Standards if it has been more than six months since the candidate has been evaluated.
  • Pass all requirements and evaluations for Practical Application Sessions 1-8 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Freediving Instructor Training Course.

Note | If the candidate is an active status SSI recreational scuba Assistant Instructor or higher, they do not need to complete the portions of the FITC that are equivalent to the SSI recreational scuba Instructor Training Course content.

Certification

  • Upon completion of the Freediving Instructor Training Course, send the candidate’s Training Record with all required documents to the responsible SSI Service Center.
  • Candidate will be certified as an SSI Freediving Assistant Instructor.

Active Status Qualifications

Active status Freediving Assistant Instructors may teach, supervise and issue certifications for the following programs:
  • Try Freediving
  • Basic Freediver
  • Pool Freediver
Active status Freediving Assistant Instructors may also:
  • Act as a certified assistant in open water sessions for Freediver programs.
  • Act as a certified assistant in pool/confined water sessions for Advanced and Performance Freediver programs.
  • Act as a certified assistant for Basic Freediving Instructor programs.
  • Directly supervise all in-water performance requirements for the Basic Freediving Instructor Trainer Seminar under the indirect supervision of an active status Basic Freediving Instructor Trainer.
  • Register to become a Specialty Instructor for some SSI specialty programs.
Freediving Assistant Instructors must not:
  • Issue Freediver or higher certifications.
  • Independently conduct open water sessions for Freediver programs or higher.

Upgrade

Prerequisites

  • Have logged at least 100 in-water freediving sessions.
Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • Advanced Freediver

Sequence

To upgrade to the Freediving Instructor certification, active status Freediving Assistant Instructors must complete a Freediving Instructor Upgrade, including:
  • Read and complete Sections 7 and 8, including reviews and assessments, of the Freediving Instructor Training Course digital learning.
  • Complete Academic Sessions 7 and 8 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Freediving Instructor Training Course.
  • Complete the Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation as outlined in the SSI Training Standards if it has been more than six months since the candidate has been evaluated.
  • Pass all requirements and evaluations for Practical Application Sessions 2 and 8–10 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Freediving Instructor Training Course.
  • Create Personal Note
  • Report Translation Mistake
  • Report Technical Error
    •