Open Water Instructor

• Orientation session – Introductions, course overview, documentation requirements, and establishing a schedule
• Academic Classroom Presentations
  • The Open Water Diver Program
  • Open Water Instructor Specialties
  • Diver Stress and Rescue and Dive Guide
  • The Business of Diving
  • Your Career with SSI
• Pool Session Evaluations
  • Water fitness evaluation (if not current within six (6) months)
  • Academic presentations including Enriched Air Nitrox or Diver Stress and Rescue, and Dive Guide
  • Confined Water presentations including Open Water Diver Emergency Skills and Diver Stress and Rescue
  • Open Water Diver skills evaluation
  • Diver Stress and Rescue Workshop
• The Open Water Evaluation will be conducted at the Denver Downtown Aquarium and includes:
  • Dive Briefing, Dive Guiding, and Rescue Evaluation

• Minimum age: 18 years old
• Logged at least 75 open water dives totaling 50 hours or more
• Have the Enriched Air Nitrox 40 certification, or equivalent from a recognized training agency
• Be an active status SSI Assistant Instructor, or hold an equivalent rating from a recognized training agency

• Submit completed documents provided by your Instructor Trainer
• 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 materials
• 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 Training Standards, if it has been more than six (6) months since the candidate has been evaluated
• Pass all requirements and evaluations as outline in the instructor manual for the Instructor Training Course

In addition to the programs taught by active status Assistant Instructors, insured Open Water Instructors may teach, supervise, and issue certifications for the following programs:

• Basic Diver
• Referral Diver
• Indoor Diver
• Scuba Diver
• Open Water Diver
• Experienced Diver Test
• Advanced Adventurer
• Diver Stress & Rescue
• Enriched Air Nitrox
• Dive Guide
• NOTE:  qualified Instructors are able to become Aquarium Dive Guides

INCLUDES

• ITC digital kit (chapters 7-10 of the instructor manual)
• Orientation session
• (1) Open Water Dive at the Denver Downtown Aquarium
• (6) active learning sessions
• All pool sessions
• Open water diver instructor e-kit
• Advanced Adventurer instructor e-kit
• Enriched Air Instructor e-kit
• Diver Stress & Rescue Instructor e-kit
• Dive Guide instructor e-kit
• Use of tanks and weights

NOT INCLUDED

• Personal diving equipment
• Pro Presentation Kit (6’x8″ slate, pencil, and retractor)
• Surface Marker Buoy
• SSI one-time registration fee unless previously paid
• Annual Membership renewal fee
• Professional liability insurance
• First Aid, CPR, and Oxygen First Aid
• SSI Instructor Evaluation (IE) There is a separate fee for the IE

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is a two-day evaluative program conducted by an SSI Instructor Evaluator who evaluates the instructor candidate’s teaching ability, dive theory knowledge, skill level, and understanding of the SSI System. IEs are internationally standardized and conducted by specially trained SSI Instructor Evaluators. The IE location, testing environment, and examination sessions are organized to be as objective as possible to fairly and consistently evaluate a candidate’s abilities. Only those who meet the IE performance requirements earn the respected SSI Instructor certification.

NOTE: The fee for the IE is determined by the Instructor Evaluator 

• Upon completion of the Instructor Training Course, candidates may participate in an Instructor Evaluation. The Instructor Evaluation must be conducted within six (6) months of the completion of the Instructor Training Course.
• If it has been more than six (6) months, an Instructor Trainer will need to conduct a reevaluation to determine if the candidate still has proficient knowledge and skills before attending an Instructor Evaluation.
• Candidates must pass all requirements and evaluations listed in the instructor manual for the Instructor Evaluation
• Candidates must complete a final exam with a passing score of 90%
• There is a separate fee for the IE paid directly to the Evaluator
• There is a separate $100 registration and processing fee paid directly to SSI
• Does not include transportation, location entry fee, lodging, and meals
• IMPORTANT NOTE – Before the final Open Water Instructor certification can be issued the following (current) documents must be uploaded to your MySSI account Document Manager

1. RSTC Diver Medical/Participant Questionnaire signed by a physician (MD or DO) within (1) year
2. Proof of CPR training within (2) years
3. Proof of First Aid training within (2) years
4. Proof of Oxygen First Aid training within (2) years

PLEASE NOTE:  A-1 is proud to be able to host the IE.  There is a separate “facilities fee” which includes the use of the classroom, pool usage (tanks/weights), and the open water evaluation dive at the Denver Downtown Aquarium.  The fee is subject to change.