A-1 Classified Diver Instructor Course

Thank you for your interest in our SSI Classified Diving Instructor Course. Our program offers several unique elements, including more hands-on experiences than many other programs and the opportunity to apply your new skills at the Denver Downtown Aquarium! The course is fun, challenging and packed with valuable information.

Your success in the course begins with arriving prepared, ready to learn, and eager to expand your knowledge and sharpen your skills alongside others. Most of all, you’ll come away with the desire and ability to introduce a remarkable group of individuals to the wonders of the sport of scuba diving.  It’s an experience that will open your mind – and guaranteed to open your heart.

During this course, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience to safely and effectively teach someone with a disability using the unique Level 1-3 Classification process. The course will be like no other course you’ve taken. 

Day 1 (half day)

  • Classroom only – Meet fellow diving professionals and overview the course.  Then we’ll start digging into the many aspects of the adaptive program including discussions on various disabilities, reviewing course standards, and learn the unique process of the Level 1-3 classification process.

Day 2 (full day)

  • Classroom – Further discussion about various disabilities, review adaptations for the various components of diving equipment systems and associated equipment to assist divers with disabilities.
  • Pool Activities – Begin the process of roleplaying as an instructor, dive buddy, and someone with a disability.  You’re guaranteed to discover the meaning of trust, confidence, expectation, reliance, and dependence.

Day 3 (full day)

  • Classroom – Experience, firsthand, how to correctly use a wheelchair including, ‘rolling’ in hallways, the swimming pool deck, assembling your dive gear from a wheelchair, getting on/off an elevator, proper ways to overcome various obstacles, and simulating onboarding and deboarding a vessel from a wheelchair.
  • Pool – continued roleplaying

Day 4 – Denver Downtown Aquarium dives!!

  • This is an incredible opportunity for you to apply the techniques you learned in the pool, in a saltwater environment  at the Denver Downtown Aquarium. As you did in the pool, you’ll be working in buddy teams and performing several of the skills learned in the swimming pool, while roleplaying a person with a disability and being a dive buddy.

Please note that the starting and ending times are subject to change

  • Be an active status SSI Open Water Instructor or above
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be fit for diving
  • Aquarium Waiver (print and hand to the instructor) – Click here 
  • Complete the course documents – Click here

IMPORTANT – THE DIVER MEDICAL PARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRE IS CRITICAL! If you answer YES to questions 3, 5, or 10 on page 1 of the Diver Medical Questionnaire or any of the questions on page two, you will be directed to print, sign, and date page one of the questionnaire and bring all three pages to your medical professional for an evaluation. Your medical professional must approve, date, and sign the form and add their medical credentials MD, DO, NP, RN, PA, etc.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE PARTICIPANT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE WATER UNTIL THE PROPER DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, SIGNED, AND REVIEWED FOR ACCURACY BY THE INSTRUCTOR.

  • Attend all classroom, confined water sessions, and Denver Downtown Aquarium dives
  • Participate in all role-playing segments in the confined water
  • Demonstrate the ability to teach and assist a Level 1-3 classified diver the skills taught in the open water diver course
  • Complete the instructor written final exam

INCLUDES

  • SSI digital e-Kit
  • SSI Classified Diver Instructor Certification
  • Classroom instruction
  • Confined water (pool) training
  • Aquarium dives
  • Due to concerns regarding contamination all scuba equipment and exposure protection will be provided at the aquarium.  You will need to provide a mask, snorkel, and fins
  • Use of various adaptive training aids

NOT INCLUDED

  • Pool – total diving system, including a required Octopus Alternate Air Source
  • Aquarium – Mask and fins.  The total diving system will be provided
  • Parking fee at the Downtown Aquarium.  Please have your credit card available at the parking kiosk
  • Transportation, lodging, and meals

2026  – Classified Dive Buddy Course Dates

PLEASE NOTE:  minimum (3) maximum (6) 

Sept 11-14

  • Sept 11 – Classroom – 5 to 9 PM
  • Sept 12 – Classroom and Pool (full day)
  • Sept 13 – Classroom and Pool (full day)
  • Sept 14 – Downtown Aquarium – 7:30 AM to 3 PM

Starting and ending times are subject to change 

  • Additional Course – Winter date to be announced

Please call  (303) 789-2450 if you have any questions

Course Fee $775

Program Testimonials

Of all the classes and training I have taken over the last 20 years, the Classified Diver Buddy class has been by far the most insightful and enlightening class I have had. It went beyond just teaching the various skills a classified diver had to complete, to experiencing being a classified diver learning and practicing the skills. This gave me a whole new awareness of what being disable is like. From being confined to a wheelchair to having to navigate as a blind diver relying on your buddy in the Under the Sea Exhibit at the Downtown Aquarium. This class, more than any other class I have taken, will make me a better diver and teacher.

This course challenged me to be a better all-round dive instructor providing me with the insight to be able to adapt to each individual diver’s needs. One of the best courses I’ve taken and can’t wait to use these skills with new divers.

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