Freediving Training Standards and Procedures

Freediving Professional Programs

Freediving Instructor

Intent

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

Minimum Instructor Rating

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

Candidate Prerequisites

  • Minimum age: 18 years old.

Option 1

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

Option 2

Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • Advanced Freediver
  • 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: 70-85.

Depth Limitations

  • Maximum pool/confined water depth limit: 5 meters.
  • Maximum open water depth limit: 30 meters.

In-Water Ratios

  • The candidate-to-instructor ratio is 6:1.

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 1-8, including reviews and assessments, of the Freediving Instructor Training Course digital learning.
  • Complete Academic Sessions 1-8 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 1-10 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 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 Instructor.

Active Status Qualifications

In addition to the programs taught by Freediving Assistant Instructors, active status Freediving Instructors may teach, supervise and issue certifications for the following programs:
  • Freediver
  • Free Immersion
  • Training Techniques
  • Snorkel Instructor
Active status Freediving Instructors may also:
  • Act as a certified assistant for Advanced Freediver programs.
  • Act as a certified assistant in pool/confined water sessions for Performance Freediver programs.

Upgrade

Prerequisites

Option 1

Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • Performance Freediver

Option 2

Have issued at least:
  • 10 Freediver certifications
  • 5 Training Techniques certifications

Sequence

To upgrade to the Advanced Freediving Instructor certification, active status Freediving Instructors must complete an Advanced Freediving Instructor Upgrade program, including:
  • Read and complete Section 9, including reviews and assessments, of the Advanced Freediving Instructor Training Course digital learning.
  • Complete Academic Session 9 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Advanced 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 6–10 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Advanced Freediving Instructor Training Course.
  • Create Personal Note
  • Report Translation Mistake
  • Report Technical Error
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