ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

About ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

The Assistant Instructor rating is the next step after becoming a Divemaster along pro pathway. It allows you to collect valuable teaching experience, practice briefings, teach academics, and conduct in-water training. If you want to further your career as a dive professional, you can finish the Instructor Training Course, pass the Instructor Evaluation, and become an Open Water Diving Instructor.

SSI Assistant Instructor

The qualifications as an active status Assistant Instructor to teach, supervise, and issue recognition or certification cards for the following programs after completing the Assistant Instructor Training Course:

  • Try Scuba
  • Scuba Skills Update

You will receive the following Specialty Instructor certifications:

  • Perfect Buoyancy

Upon completion you may also complete free online upgrades for the following Specialty Instructor certifications:

  • Computer Diving
  • Marine Ecology
  • SSI Explorers

Assistant Instructors may also:

  • Teach the Open Water Diver academic and pool/confined water sessions under the indirect supervision of an active status Open Water Instructor.
  • Directly supervise and evaluate surface skills during open water training dives for the Open Water Diver program under the indirect supervision of an active status Open Water Instructor.
  • Qualify to become a Specialty Instructor for some SSI Specialty programs, including:
    • Altitude Diving
    • Boat Diving
    • Computer Diving
    • Equipment Techniques
    • Navigation
    • Photo & Video
    • React Right
    • Shark Ecology
    • Fish Identification
    • Manta & Ray Ecology
    • Coral Identification
    • Sea Turtle Ecology
    • Nudibranch Ecology
    • Marine Mammal Ecology
    • Marine Invertebrate Ecology
    • Freshwater Ecology
  • Enroll in an Instructor Training Course

 

Academic

The SSI Assistant Instructor program provides candidates with the knowledge and training necessary to perform the duties of an AI.

ITC Academic Sessions

1 | Overview of SSI

2 | Duties of an SSI Professional

3 | Program Administration

4 | Academic Sessions

5 | In-Water Training

6 | Assistant Instructor Programs

ITC Practical Applications

1| Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation

2 | Academic Teaching Presentation | Open Water Diver

3 | Workshop | Open Water Diver

4 | Pool/Confined Water Presentation | Open Water Diver

Final Exam

Required Equipment

  • Must have a professional Total Dive System
  • Specialty equipment such as: underwater lights for night dives, wreck reels for wreck dives, compass, etc.
  •  SMB and fingerspool
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

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.

What’s Included

SSI Assistant Instructor

The qualifications as an active status Assistant Instructor to teach, supervise, and issue recognition or certification cards for the following programs after completing the Assistant Instructor Training Course:

  • Try Scuba
  • Scuba Skills Update

You will receive the following Specialty Instructor certifications:

  • Perfect Buoyancy

Upon completion you may also complete free online upgrades for the following Specialty Instructor certifications:

  • Computer Diving
  • Marine Ecology
  • SSI Explorers

Assistant Instructors may also:

  • Teach the Open Water Diver academic and pool/confined water sessions under the indirect supervision of an active status Open Water Instructor.
  • Directly supervise and evaluate surface skills during open water training dives for the Open Water Diver program under the indirect supervision of an active status Open Water Instructor.
  • Qualify to become a Specialty Instructor for some SSI Specialty programs, including:
    • Altitude Diving
    • Boat Diving
    • Computer Diving
    • Equipment Techniques
    • Navigation
    • Photo & Video
    • React Right
    • Shark Ecology
    • Fish Identification
    • Manta & Ray Ecology
    • Coral Identification
    • Sea Turtle Ecology
    • Nudibranch Ecology
    • Marine Mammal Ecology
    • Marine Invertebrate Ecology
    • Freshwater Ecology

What’s Not Included

Assistant Instructors must not:
  • Issue Open Water Diver certifications.
  • Independently conduct open water training dives for entry-level scuba training.
  • Teach any emergency ascent skills

Practical Applications 5-10 or Academic Sessions 7-10 of the ITC

Instructor Evaluation

What do I need to get started?

Register online at DiveSSI.com and choose Lynnhaven Dive Center as your training center. Then call or come in to pay for your course, once payment is made we will unlock the digital learning materials for you to complete before coming in for your classroom sessions. You can also schedule the classroom session at the time.

 

How long will it take?

36-42 hours

Maximum Training Depth

5 meters

Pack Price

$1500