Become an Open Water Instructor and unlock new opportunities in the diving industry. Teach scuba diving courses from Try Scuba to Divemaster worldwide!
No hidden costs!
Scuba diving is becoming more popular every year. Once a dream reserved for a select few, exploring the underwater world is now accessible to almost everyone, thanks to advancements in training and equipment. This growing interest has created a demand for passionate divers who want to share their skills and inspire others to discover the wonders beneath the surface.
Becoming an SSI Open Water Instructor is one of the most rewarding milestones in a diving professional’s career. As an instructor, you’ll not only teach others how to dive but also inspire them to grow as confident, enthusiastic divers and lifelong lovers of the underwater world.
What is the Instructor Training Course (ITC)?
The Instructor Training Course (ITC) is the ultimate step for Divemasters ready to advance their careers and become certified diving instructors. Over an intensive 2–4 weeks, you’ll engage in workshops, hands-on practice, and realistic teaching scenarios. The program is designed to deepen your knowledge, sharpen demonstration skills, refine teaching techniques, and build professional presentation and marketing expertise. Upon completion, you’ll be fully equipped to work as a diving instructor anywhere in the world.
The course is divided into three main sections:
1. Understanding SSI’s structure and standards – Learn how the organization operates and how to use its system effectively.
2. Teaching methodologies – Master how to teach in classrooms, pools/confined water, and open water.
3. Instructor Evaluation (IE) – After completing the training, you’ll demonstrate your skills during the final assessment, led by a Certifying Instructor.
Flexible Learning Options
If you prefer a more flexible approach, you can complete the program in stages. Start with the Assistant Instructor course, then proceed to the ITC and IE at your own pace, choosing a schedule that works best for you.
What Can You Teach as an SSI Open Water Instructor?
As a certified SSI Open Water Instructor, you’ll be qualified to teach a wide range of SSI programs, including:
∙ Try Scuba / Basic Diver / Referral Diver / Indoor Diver / Scuba Diver
∙ Open Water Diver
∙ Diver Stress & Rescue
∙ Dive Guide / Divemaster
∙ Advanced Adventurer
∙ Perfect Buoyancy
∙ Enriched Air Nitrox
∙ Science of Diving
∙ Scuba Skills Update / Experienced Diver Test
Bonus Opportunities for Instructors
Active-status SSI Open Water Instructors can also expand their qualifications by completing free online training for these specialties:
∙ Computer Diving
∙ Marine Ecology
∙ SSI Explorer Specialty Instructor (children’s programs)
Why Take the Next Step?
This 2–4 week training program is your gateway to an exciting career as a dive professional. Not only will you learn how to independently run courses and build your diving career, but you’ll also have the opportunity to inspire others to fall in love with diving. Whether you dream of teaching on tropical islands or sharing your passion for diving in your hometown, the ITC opens doors to countless possibilities.
Ready to begin your journey? Let’s take your passion to the next level!
Knowledge is the foundation of every diver’s journey, and as a diving instructor, it’s absolutely essential. You need a solid grasp of the theory behind each course to confidently explain topics to your future students.
Before starting the Instructor Training Course (ITC), it’s crucial to review and update your knowledge from previous courses, such as Open Water Diver, Nitrox, Stress and Rescue, Dive Guide, and Science of Diving. The ITC is not designed to teach basic diving theory; it focuses on instructor-level skills and techniques. Arriving well-prepared ensures we can dive straight into training without spending time revisiting fundamental concepts.
If you feel unsure about certain topics or have gaps in your knowledge, don’t worry—we’re here to support you. Review your course materials, which are available online, and let us know if you need extra help. We can schedule additional time to refresh your understanding before the ITC begins.
During the course, we’ll cover SSI Training Standards, our teaching philosophy, and effective ways to deliver lessons. Our goal is to help you teach confidently and professionally. We’ll focus on improving your teaching methods, assessing student progress, and addressing their learning needs.
Respecting the course structure and preparing in advance allows us to focus on developing your instructor skills, rather than spending valuable time on basics. Together, we’ll ensure you’re ready to inspire and guide divers around the world.
Before enrolling in the Instructor Training Course (ITC), it’s essential to ensure you’re confident and comfortable in the water. Proficiency in demonstrating all recreational scuba diving skills is a must, including foundational techniques from the Open Water Diver course and advanced skills from Diver Stress and Rescue.
Strong buoyancy control is a key requirement. You should be able to move effectively and gracefully in the water, whether swimming forward, backward, or executing helicopter turns. Your movements should be precise, with minimal effort, ensuring you avoid disturbing other divers or the underwater environment. Group management, a skill developed during your Divemaster course, is equally important, ensuring you can oversee divers efficiently and maintain a safe and organized environment.
If you feel there are areas where you need improvement, let us know ahead of time. We can arrange additional training dives at no extra cost to help you refine your buoyancy, finning techniques, and other necessary skills. With personalized guidance and focused practice, you can achieve proficiency in just a few days. These sessions, along with every dive during the ITC, will be video-recorded for review, giving you clear feedback to accelerate your progress.
During the ITC, every dive you complete will be video-recorded and analyzed in debriefing sessions. This feedback-driven approach ensures that your skills continuously improve and meet the professional standards required for instructors. The course itself includes intensive skill practice in both pool and open-water environments. You’ll master demonstrating skills at a professional level, learn to evaluate your students effectively, and provide constructive feedback to help them grow.
As an instructor, you’ll hold the responsibility of teaching others how to dive safely and independently, granting them certifications that open the door to the underwater world. That’s why we place such importance on refining your skills and teaching techniques to prepare you for this critical role. Together, we’ll ensure you’re ready to inspire and guide the next generation of divers with confidence and expertise.
As a professional diver, instructor of all recreational courses, and future Perfect Buoyancy Instructor, understanding diving equipment inside and out is essential. You need to know how each part of the total diving system works, especially regulators, buoyancy compensators, fins, cylinders, and weight distribution. These components are crucial for your students’ trim and buoyancy control. Each piece of gear affects their position and buoyancy differently, so you’ll need to know how to pick the best setup for yourself and recommend the right configurations to your students. A good recommendation not only builds trust but can also get you commissions from dive shops in many places.
During the course, you’ll have the opportunity to practice with different equipment types and configurations, so you’ll be ready to help your students choose what works best for them.
What about your own equipment? As a dive professional, you should have your own full set of gear, including extras like a compass, DSMB, and wet notes/slates, apart from the basic components. Of course, we understand that when traveling to a tropical location, you might not bring everything with you. That’s why we offer full equipment rentals for our candidates. However, you’ll always feel more comfortable and confident using your own, properly fitted gear.
If you need to buy anything, you can easily get it here on Koh Tao. With our help, you can find great deals and discounts to complete your total diving system.
After completing your Instructor Training Course (ITC) and passing the Instructor Evaluation, you’ll have the opportunity to gain practical experience by assisting our instructors during diving courses. Each of our instructors has a unique teaching style, shaped by their diverse experiences from around the world—not just tropical islands. This means you’ll have the chance to learn different techniques and approaches, helping you develop your own unique teaching style while adhering to the same professional standards.
When you feel ready, you’ll take the lead and run several diving programs under the direct supervision of an experienced instructor. This hands-on approach allows you to build confidence, refine your teaching methods, and gain real-world experience. By the end of this process, you’ll be fully prepared to work independently as a professional Instructor.
If you’re short on time after the ITC and final evaluation, participating in this practical training is not mandatory, but it’s highly recommended. It’s an invaluable way to ensure you’re ready to start your career confidently, anywhere in the world.
Successfully completing the course and passing the Instructor Evaluation earns you the prestigious title of SSI Open Water Instructor. This certification allows you to independently conduct scuba diving programs, from Try Scuba to Divemaster, anywhere in the world.
The ITC is designed to help Divemasters take the next step and become certified instructors. Over 2–4 weeks, the program combines workshops, hands-on practice, and teaching scenarios to enhance your industry knowledge, refine your teaching methods, and develop professional presentation and marketing skills.
The course is divided into three main sections:
∙ Understanding SSI’s structure and standards – Learn how the organization operates and how to use its system effectively.
∙ Teaching methodologies – Master how to teach in classrooms, pools/confined water, and open water.
∙ Instructor Evaluation (IE) – After completing the training, you’ll demonstrate your skills during the final assessment, led by a Certifying Instructor.
As a certified SSI Open Water Instructor, you’ll be qualified to teach a wide range of SSI programs worldwide, including:
∙ Try Scuba / Basic Diver / Referral Diver / Indoor Diver / Scuba Diver
∙ Open Water Diver
∙ Diver Stress & Rescue
∙ Dive Guide / Divemaster
∙ Advanced Adventurer
∙ Perfect Buoyancy
∙ Enriched Air Nitrox
∙ Science of Diving
∙ Scuba Skills Update / Experienced Diver Test
Active-status SSI Open Water Instructors can also expand their qualifications by completing free online training for these specialties:
∙ Computer Diving
∙ Marine Ecology
∙ SSI Explorer Specialty Instructor (children’s programs)
To demonstrate your readiness as a professional diver, you must pass a Water Fitness Evaluation, which includes:
∙ Treading water for 15 minutes
∙ Swimming 700 meters within 20 minutes
∙ Swimming underwater for 25 meters
∙ Performing a complete, unconscious-diver-on-the-surface rescue covering 100 meters within eight minutes, utilizing diving equipment
As a dive professional, it’s essential to be fit enough to help yourself and other divers in case of an emergency. This Water Fitness Evaluation is designed to assess your current fitness level and ensure you have the physical capabilities required to handle real-life scenarios underwater and at the surface.
The course structure is carefully designed to equip you with all the knowledge and skills needed to become a competent diving instructor and pass the Instructor Evaluation. It’s an intensive program typically completed in 2-4 weeks, with most groups finishing in 3 weeks when there are 4 candidates. If you’re pressed for time, it’s possible to complete the course individually in as little as 10 days. However, we strongly recommend the group setting, as it allows you to learn alongside other candidates and benefit from their experiences and mistakes.
The course schedule is outlined in the attached file, providing an overview of what to expect. Please note that the timing may be adjusted to accommodate specific circumstances.
What You’ll Learn During the Course:
1. Professional Responsibilities:
∙ Understanding the duties of an SSI professional, including environmental awareness and quality management principles.
2. Administrative and Digital Tools:
∙ Using the MySSI app system, maintaining accurate records, and managing schedules.
∙ Organizing classes, utilizing digital learning materials, and referencing the instructor manual.
3. Academic Sessions:
∙ Structuring lessons, using instructor-led and student-centered methods, and incorporating active learning techniques.
4. Teaching Processes:
∙ Learning how to teach programs like Open Water Diver, Perfect Buoyancy, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress and Rescue, and Divemaster.
5. In-Water Training Techniques:
∙ Decision-making, risk management, group control, communication, and mastering the teaching process (briefing, demonstration, evaluation, and debriefing).
6. Practical Workshops:
∙ Hands-on experience with various programs, from Try Scuba to Divemaster.
7. Business Skills:
∙ Sales techniques and strategies for thriving in the diving industry.
This comprehensive approach ensures you’re fully prepared for the evaluation and your career as an SSI instructor.
After completing the ITC (Instructor Training Course), you’ll have two days to rest, refine your skills, or review the material. The course concludes with a two-day Instructor Evaluation, conducted by an independent Instructor Trainer Certifier. The evaluation consists of the following components:
∙ Instructor Exam: Written test.
∙ Educational System Knowledge Assessment: Understanding and usage of the SSI Educational System.
∙ Presentation Evaluation: Assessment of your ability to deliver a lecture.
∙ Pool Training Evaluation: Assessment of your teaching skills in confined water.
∙ Exercise Demonstrations: Evaluation of skills demonstrations from the Open Water Diver (OWD) and Stress & Rescue programs.
∙ Open Water Training Evaluation: Assessment of your teaching abilities in open water.
∙ Professionalism Assessment: Evaluation of your professional conduct.
The first day of the exam is conducted in a pool, while the second day takes place in open water.
In reality, this evaluation is more of a formality to confirm that the Instructor Training Course was conducted properly. If you complete the course with us, you can be confident that you’ll be fully prepared for the evaluation, making it straightforward to pass.
Absolutely! Koh Tao is one of the world’s top destinations for earning scuba diving certifications, especially professional ones. This tropical gem in the Gulf of Thailand offers the perfect mix of underwater adventure and an incredible lifestyle above water.
With warm, clear waters (28-30°C), you’ll dive among vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, including turtles, stingrays, reef sharks, and even the occasional whale shark. The island boasts around 30 unique dive sites, featuring pinnacles, caverns, and even a 50-meter-long shipwreck resting at 30 meters depth. Whether from the shore or by boat, you’ll experience diverse and exciting diving conditions.
When you’re not in the water, Koh Tao offers so much to explore. Enjoy activities like Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and yoga, or visit fully equipped gyms. For adventure seekers, there’s hiking to panoramic viewpoints, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, and team sports like padel, football, and basketball. Relax with affordable massages or take a local cooking class to dive into Thai cuisine. The nightlife here is vibrant too—choose from live music bars, karaoke, nightclubs, or even the fun Ladyboy shows. For digital nomads, the island’s excellent internet and co-working spaces make it easy to stay connected.
Choosing the Right Diving Center
While Koh Tao is renowned for its diving, your experience will largely depend on the center and instructor you choose. Avoid large “diving factories” and opt for a center where the team is genuinely passionate about diving and dedicated to offering personalized training.
Even more important than the center itself is your Instructor Trainer. They are the ones who will guide you, shaping your skills and mindset for your professional journey. When choosing an instructor, consider:
∙ Global Experience: An instructor who has taught in diverse environments—from tropical waters to colder climates—offers a wealth of knowledge to prepare you for various challenges.
∙ Extensive Student Training: Instructors with experience teaching many students have honed their techniques, ensuring they can adapt to your unique learning style.
∙ Passion for Teaching: An instructor who loves what they do will go above and beyond to support your growth, making the entire process more engaging and enjoyable.
Our Approach
As a project led by experienced scuba instructors, we bring together all these elements to offer a comprehensive and rewarding training experience. With a focus on practical skills, structured learning, and real-world preparation, we ensure that every candidate graduates with the confidence and expertise needed to excel in the diving industry.
Koh Tao isn’t just a place to earn your certification—it’s a place to immerse yourself in a vibrant, supportive diving community while living a life many only dream of. Choose quality training, a passionate instructor, and enjoy the journey of becoming a professional diver in paradise!
Absolutely! Becoming a diving instructor can be incredibly rewarding for many reasons:
∙ Passion for Diving: If you love diving, becoming an instructor allows you to turn that passion into a profession, sharing the beauty of the underwater world with others.
∙ Teaching and Inspiring: As an instructor, you’ll educate others on marine life, conservation, and safe diving techniques, empowering them to explore the underwater world confidently.
∙ Endless Travel Opportunities: Diving instructors often work in breathtaking locations worldwide, giving you the chance to discover new cultures, dive sites, and experiences.
∙ Personal Growth: This career builds essential skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving, helping you grow both personally and professionally.
∙ Community and Lifestyle: Dive communities are welcoming and vibrant, offering not just a career but a unique lifestyle filled with activities like yoga, sports, social events, and more.
Becoming a diving instructor isn’t just a job—it’s a transformative journey. It combines adventure, personal development, and the chance to share your love for the ocean with others. Plus, it opens the door to working almost anywhere on the planet where there’s water—which, luckily, is over 70% of Earth!
If diving and teaching are your passions, this career path could be the adventure of a lifetime.
Instructor Training
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