The A-1/PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) Program

 

Overview

Congratulations on deciding to complete your instructor training.  I started teaching this program in 1985 and have seen it evolve into the best instructor-training program in the industry! 

This OWSI course is an extension of the Assistant Instructor Course or when applicable, a Crossover to PADI from another training organization.  In this course, we will continue developing your abilities as a professional dive educator, improve your knowledge of the PADI System of diver education and prepare you for the PADI Instructor Examination (IE).  Just relax, concentrate on your knowledge and skill development and yes, you’re even allowed to have fun!  My role will be to support, guide and help you to succeed.

Preparation is the key to success so your personal commitment is paramount.  Your previous teaching experience and familiarity of the PADI system will prove invaluable however, in this course we will step things up a few notches.  Therefore, you will need to crack the books, polish your skills and open your mind.  There’s a lot I can teach you but in the end, it’s up to you.

That said, are you ready to begin?  Read over the following information very carefully and be sure that you understand everything.  If not, I’m just an email away.

 

 

Preparation

This course will be comprised of a continuation of your PADI on-line independent study, live-delivery segments, interactive workshops, practical application of standards and additional teaching presentations in the classroom, pool and open water.

 

 

OWSI Program Prerequisites

To enroll in the OWSI program, an individual must:

• Be certified as a PADI Assistant Instructor or current instructor member in good standing with a recognized diver training organization for at least six months.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be certified as a diver for at least six months
• Be fit for diving and submit a Medical Statement for a diving medical examination conducted within the past 12 months. A licensed physician must sign the form and state that the candidate is fit for diving. The physician signing the form may not be the applicant.
• Have completed 60 logged divers (as documented in your log book) that include experience in night, deep and navigation diving to participate (as documented in your log book) Note: To attend an IE, you must have at least 100 logged dives
• Have proof of CPR and First Aid training within the last 24 months. The Emergency First Response course meets this requirement. Note: Must be a current Emergency First Response Instructor or hold another current first aid and CPR instructor credential before your IE paperwork can be processed at PADI.
• Submit documentation of any equivalent certification for entry-level, advanced, rescue and leadership-level issued by another recreational diver training organization. (If you have these records on file at PADI, you do not need to resubmit them to me)
• You will need to be familiar with the various PADI Prescriptive Teaching tools - Specifically the Open Water and Rescue Prescriptive Lesson Guides (PLG’s).
• You will be assigned various continuing education Knowledge Development topics as well as Continuing Education skills in the Confined Water and Open Water. Therefore, you will want to familiarize yourself with; knot tying, rescue skills, buoyancy skills, lift bag procedures, etc.

Performance Requirements

To successfully complete a PADI OWSI program, you must meet the following performance requirements:

1. Complete the following independent learning sections online through PADI eLearning:

a. Learning, Instruction and the PADI System
b. General Standards and Procedures
c. Risk Management
d. Marketing Diving
e. Start Diving
f. Teaching PADI Specialty Courses
g. Business of Diving
h. Keep Diving
i. How to Teach the Recreational Dive Planner (RDP) Note: this is optional for current PADI members but required for crossover candidates

2. Participate in the following IDC curriculum components:

a. Course Orientation
b. Developing Knowledge Development Presentations

i. Knowledge Development Teaching Presentation 3
ii. 4 E’s Counseling Workshop2

c. Confined Water Teaching Presentations

i. Skills Demonstration Workshop
ii. Confined Water Teaching Presentations 3 and 4

d. Open Water Presentations

i. Discover Scuba Diving Workshop
ii. Open Water Teaching Presentations 2

e. General Standards and Procedures
f. Open Water Diver Course
g. Adventures in Diving Program

i. Adventure Dive Workshop

h. Rescue Diver Course

i. Rescue Exercise Workshop

i. Divemaster Course
j. Risk Management
k. Duty of Care Workshop (optional)

3. Present at least one knowledge development teaching presentation, scoring a minimum of 3.5.

4. Present two confined water teaching presentations, scoring a minimum of 3.4 on at least one.

5. Present one integrated (two skills) open water teaching presentation, scoring a minimum of 3.4 on each skill.

6. Perform all 20-dive skills in the Skill Evaluation, scoring a minimum of 68 total points, with no individual score below 3.

7. Score 75 percent on all sections of the Dive Theory Exam and have any missed questions reviewed until mastery is achieved. A retest will be required for candidates scoring less than 75 percent.

8. Perform a facedown, nonstop swim for 800 yards using a mask, snorkel and fins.

Instructor Candidate Materials

 

Prior to the start of the program, you must have the following current PADI materials for study and use during the course and for reference afterwards:

• Instructor Manual
• PADI’s Guide to Teaching
• PADI Specialty Course Instructor Manual, or these specialty course instructor guides: Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project AWARE and AWARE-Coral Reef Conservation
• PADI Open Water manual
• Recreational Dive Planner – RDP Table and eRDPml, including Instructions for Use booklets
• How to Use and Choose Dive Computers book
• Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exam Booklet
• Adventures in Diving Manual
• Rescue Diver Manual
• Rescue Diver Final Exams Booklet
• PADI Divemaster Manual
• Divemaster Final Exams Booklet
• Aquatic Cure Cards – Confined Water, Open Water, Adventures In Diving, Rescue, Divemaster and Discover Scuba Diving
• Confined Water Lesson Preparation Slate
• Open Water Training Dive Lesson Planning Slate
• The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
• Diving Knowledge Workbook or eRecord for Dive Theory Online

Registration Steps and Policies

STEP 1:
*Enroll in the OWSI Course (see below)
*Course fee $700.00 includes all classroom and pool training and the use of tanks and weights. It does not include: PADI Online Independent Study fees (see below), manuals, slates, quizzes, PADI IDC Registration fee ($145 paid to PADI), other diving equipment, transportation, entry fees to open water sites, lodging or meals.
*Submit a $150.00 deposit. The balance will be due the first day of the course.
* Cancellations made less than two weeks before the course will result in a forfeit of the deposit. There will be NO refunds after the starting date of the course.

STEP 2:
*Complete the nine required PADI Online Independent Study sections prior to your first day of the class.  You may have already completed this during your Assistant Instructor course.  There is a separate fee of $330 for this service.
*To purchase the IDC Online Independent Study, follow these steps:
1 – Visit www.padi.com/elearning, choose Instructor Development Course from the drop down menu and click on “Start Today.”
2 - Create an account if you have never taken a PADI eLearning course before.
3 - Fill out credit card information for your purchase.
4 - Begin the Instructor Development Course Online

STEP 3:
*Print out and bring these completed forms to your first class session.

• Open Water Instructor Application (PDF)
• OWSI Instructor Agreement (PDF)
• Instructor Examination (IE) Enrollment Form (PDF)
• Instructor Cetrificate of Completion (PDF)
• Instructor Candidate Information and Training Record (PDF)
• Knowledge Development Evaluation Form (print two) (PDF)
• Medical Form (PDF)
• Skill Development Score Sheet (PDF)
• Confined Water Presentation Evaluation (print one) (PDF)
• Open Water Presentation Evaluation (print one) (PDF)

*You will need to provide your own: Mask, Snorkel, Fins, BCD, Low Pressure Inflator, Regulator, Alternate Air Source, SPG, Weight System, Compass, Emergency Signaling Device, Slates, Exposure Suit, Timing Device, Depth Gauge and Knife. Tanks and Weights will be provided.

*You will be expected to maintain a positive attitude and work in a friendly manner with your fellow candidates and IDC Staff members.

*Please note that makeup session can get very costly, at $85 per hour, so please try to attend everything during our scheduled meetings.

Dress

Day to day attire should be that of a professional instructor. Clothing displaying lewd pictures and profanity are unacceptable. As for the IE, tuxedos and gowns are a bit much; however, I do recommend a nice shirt (polo or button-up) and pants (slacks).

 

Punctuality

Because there is a tremendous amount of material to cover in the course, you will need to come to class prepared and on time please.

Optional Dive Theory Online

During your Divemaster course, you learned about Dive Theory (Physics, Physiology, Skills & Environment, the Recreational Dive Planner and Equipment).  If you plan to continue your education and attend the OWSI (Open Water Instructor Course) and the PADI IE (Instructor Exam), you will once again be evaluated on your knowledge of these topics.  The Dive Theory Online provides an excellent opportunity for you to refresh and refine your dive theory knowledge.  Note:  there is a separate fee if $115 for this service.
To purchase the Dive Theory Online, follow these easy steps:
1 - Visit www.padi.com/elearning, choose Dive Theory from the drop down menu and click on “Start Today”
2 - Create an account if you have never taken a PADI eLearning course before
3 - Fill out credit card information for your purchase
4 - Begin the Dive Theory Online course

 

 

 

 

 

 

IE Prerequisites

To enroll in a PADI Instructor Examination, you must:

• Successfully complete an IDC or OWSI program within 12 months of the start date of the IE.
• Have documentation of at least 100 logged dives including experience in deep, night and navigation diving.
• Present an Instructor Certificate of Completion that has both the OWSI/IDC completion date and diving experience sections signed by a Course Director or present an IE Certificate of Participation from a previous IE.
• Present an IE Enrollment form and appropriate fee (see below).
• Present a medical clearance attesting to diving fitness, signed by a physician and current within the last 12 months.

In the event you are unsuccessful at the IE, you must wait at least five days before attending another IE.  If unsuccessful at a second ID, you must complete remedial training as prescribed by PADI Instructor Development.

IE Fee

• $575.00 per person (paid to PADI)
• Make-up segments cost $228 per segment (paid to PADI)
  NOTE:  In order to be placed in teaching status, you must submit proof to PADI that you have the proper and required instructor insurance.

And Finally...

Soon you will become a mentor to divers ranging from beginner through the instructor level.  Your actions, attitude, knowledge, sense of professional pride and strong desire to be the best of the best will have an ever-lasting effect on them.

The key to your success is to come prepared and willing to learn new information, techniques and the “PADI formulas.”  My job is to guide you through this comprehensive and highly effective course and help you succeed.

There’s no greater feeling than the moment you become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.  You have a great deal of work ahead but the satisfaction, enjoyment and rewards are well worth the effort.  Get ready for what some call, a “life-changing experience.”

Scott Taylor, A-1 Scuba and Travel Center
CD-16204      

 

GO PRO!