Assistant Instructor Course

About this course

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.

Assistant Instructor

  • 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

  • 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

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

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

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

Please call to register for the FREE orientation – 303-789-2450

  • April/May – Orientation April 2nd
  • July/August – Orientation July 14th
  • October/November – Orientation October 2nd

Orientation begins at 6 pm.  Course dates will be determined on student availability.

PLEASE NOTE: NO fee is required to attend the orientation but you must call to register you for the orientation. It includes an overview of the course, Q&A, and a discussion of the course schedule.

Course Fee $1,350

Includes A-1 course fee and electronic digital kit

Please call 303-789-2450 for additional information and to register for the orientation.

Assistant Instructor