INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSE
About INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSE
The SSI Instructor Training Course provides candidates with the knowledge and training necessary to organize and conduct entry-level scuba training courses. We train quality Instructors preparing them to maintain the highest standards of dive professionals in the industry. It is also intended to prepare candidates to successfully complete an Instructor Evaluation.
Our Instructor Trainers Chris Strollo and Letitia Nichols currently spearhead our professional training. Together they’re currently running an ITC with six candidates. We’ve added additional ITC dates to the Events Calendar to accommodate the ongoing demand.
GO PRO here at Lynnhaven Dive Center.
Upcoming ITC:
May 1st, 2026 (ongoing)
June 22nd
August 10th
October 16th
Leaders in our industry, we have clear expectations and actionable steps to meet your professional goals. During your training, we will facilitate the academic, in-water, and practical applications to gain a comprehensive understanding of the SSI Total Teaching System, while advancing your knowledge and skills. We invite you to take the next step in your diving career with us.
Instructor Training Course
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 Open Water Diver
You will receive the following Specialty Instructor certifications:
- Perfect Buoyancy
- Diver Stress & Rescue
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Science of Diving
- Dive Guide/Divemaster
Upon completion you may also complete free online upgrades for the following Specialty Instructor certifications:
- Computer Diving
- Marine Ecology
- SSI Explorers
Open Water Instructors may also:
- Qualify to become a Specialty Instructor for some SSI Specialty programs, including:
- Altitude Diving
- Boat Diving
- Cavern / Cenote Diving
- Computer Diving
- DPV Diving
- Decompression Diving
- Deep Diving
- Dry Suit Diving
- Equipment Techniques
- Full Face Mask Diving
- Underwater Communications
- Ice Diving
- Independent Diving
- Navigation
- Night and Limited Visibility
- Photo & Video
- React Right
- Recreational Sidemount Diving
- River Diving
- Search and Recovery
- Waves, Tides, and Currents
- Wreck Diving
- Advanced Wreck Diving
- Shark Ecology
- Fish Identification
- Manta & Ray Ecology
- Coral Identification
- Sea Turtle Ecology
- Nudibranch Ecology
- Marine Mammal Ecology
- Marine Invertebrate Ecology
- Freshwater Ecology
Academic
The SSI Instructor Training Course provides candidates with the knowledge and training necessary to organize and conduct entry-level scuba training courses. It is also intended to prepare candidates to successfully complete an Instructor Evaluation.
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
[Assistant Instructor Exit Option – Academic Sessions]7 | The Open Water Diver Program
8 | Open Water Instructor Specialties
9 | Diver Stress & Rescue and Divemaster
10 |The Business of Diving
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
[Assistant Instructor Exit Option – Practical Applications]5 | Academic Teaching Presentation | Enriched Air Nitrox, Science of Dicing, or Stress & Rescue
6 |Academic Teaching Presentation | Divingmaster
7 | Workshop | Stress & Rescue
8 | Pool/Confined Water Presentation | Open Water Diver | Emergency Ascent Skill
9 | Pool/Confined Water Presentation | Stress & Rescue
10 |Open Water Presentation | Open Water Diver
Required Equipment
- Must have a Total Dive System
- Specialty equipment such as: underwater lights for night dives, wreck reels for wreck dives, compass, etc.
- SMB and fingerspool
Prerequisites
- Minimum age: 18 years old.
- Have logged at least 75 open water dives totaling 50 hours or more.
- Enriched Air Nitrox 40
- Divemaster
Requirements For Completion
- Log at least 100 open water dives totaling 65 hours or more.
- Read and complete all sections, including reviews and assessments, from the Instructor Training Course digital learning.
- Complete all academic sessions as outlined in the instructor manual for the Instructor Training Course.
- 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 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Instructor Training Course.
What’s Included
- knowledge, skills, and training to successfully complete an Instructor Evaluation
- AI/ITC Pro Kit, including Cue Cards
What’s Not Included
- Open Water training sessions
- Specialty equipment
- CPR/First Aid/O2 (React Right), Nitrox 40 training (needed to complete certification)
- 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?
72-85 hours
Maximum Training Depth
40 meters or 130 feet
Pack Price
$3000
