Congratulations on your interest to become an Assistant Instructor. There’s nothing more exciting and gratifying than teaching others about the fun, adventure and excitement of diving. That’s exactly what our Assistant Instructor Course is all about. It will be fun, challenging, rewarding and present you with new skills, knowledge and teaching experience to be an exceptional dive leader. Additionally, you’ll learn the SSI Teaching System and philosophy and how to teach a variety of programs.
The combination of 60 years of training divers and four Instructor Trainers, ensures you will receive the most up to date and state-of-the-art program in the region.
The following information details the many exciting aspects of our Assistant Instructor Course.
Click to view prerequisites
Minimum Age – 18 years old
Be an SSI Divemaster or equivalent rating from a recognized training agency
Have logged at least 60 logged dives totaling at least 40 hours
NOTE: “SSI recommends that all Dive Pro candidates become certified in EANx”
Click to view performance requirements
Have logged at least 75 open water dives totaling 50 hours or more
Read and complete Sections 1-6, including reviews and assessments, of the Assistant Instructor digital learning materials
Complete the Assistant Instructor final exam with a passing score of at least 90%
Complete the Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation as outlined in the SSI Training Standards, if it has been more than six months since the candidate has been evaluated
Complete and pass all requirements and evaluations for Practical Application Sessions 1-7 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Instructor Training Course
Click for administrative requirements
Prior to training, complete and submit the following SSI documents
Instructor Training Course Completion record
Professional Agreement (2 pages)
Training Assumption of Risk and Liability Release
Training Center Privacy Policy
SSI Diver Medical signed by a physician within one (1) year
Proof of CPR training within (2) years
Proof of First Aid training within (2) years
Proof of Oxygen First Aid training within (2) years
Click here to see duties of an Assistant Instructor
In addition to the programs taught by active status SSI Professional Dive Guides/Divemasters, active status Assistant Instructors may:
Teach, supervise and issue certifications for the following programs:
Explorer programs
Try Snorkeling
Try Scuba
Scuba Skills Update
Perfect Buoyancy
In addition to the duties performed by an SSI Divemaster, active status Assistant Instructors may also (under indirect supervision)
Teach the Open Water Diver Course academic and pool/confined water sessions (with exception of emergency ascent skills)
Directly supervise and evaluate surface skills during open water training dives for the Open Water Diver program under
Register to become a Specialty Instructor for select SSI Specialty programs.
Enroll in the SSI Open Water Instructor Course
Enroll in the DAN Instructor Qualification Course (IQC)
NOTE: qualified Assistant Instructors are able to become Aquarium Dive Guides
Course Fee – $1,350 (includes AI course fee and electronic digital kit)
Please call 303-789-2450 for additional information and to register for the orientation.
Click for inclusions and exclusions
Includes
SSI Assistant Instructor certification
(6) classroom active learning and pool sessions
(4) 1-hour pool sessions
(1) Open Water dive at the Denver Downtown Aquarium
Use of tanks and weights
Assistant Instructor Kit (chapters 1-6 of the instructor manual)
Instructor Package (Wet notes, Dive Briefing and Guiding Evaluation Slate, SSI Pro Hat)
Not Included
Onetime SSI Professional Fee. You may have already paid for this when you completed the Divemaster Course
Personal diving equipment
Pro Presentation Kit (6’x8″ slate, pencil, and retractor)
Professional insurance
First Aid, CPR, and Oxygen First Aid
2023 Dates – Please call to register for the FREE orientation (303) 789-2450.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
Free Orientation – August 15 @ 6pm
Session 1 – Aug 26
Session 2 – Aug 27
Session 3 – Sep 9
Session 4 – Sept 16
Session 5 – Sept 23
Session 6 – Oct 1 @ at the Denver Downtown Aquarium
PLEASE NOTE: NO fee is required to attend the orientation but you must call (303) 789-2450 to register you for the orientation. It includes an overview of the course, Q&A, and a discussion of the course schedule.
