Assistant Instructor

Become a certified Assistant Instructor with SSI. The Assistant Instructor rating is the next step after becoming a Divemaster along the scuba instructor pathway. It allows you to collect valuable teaching experience, practice briefings, teach academics, and conduct in-water training. If you want to further your career as a dive professional, you can later finish the Instructor Training Course, pass the Instructor Evaluation, and become a full Open Water Diving Instructor.

Ready to inspire new divers and share your passion for scuba? The SSI Assistant Instructor Course bridges the gap between Divemaster and Open Water Instructor, giving you the skills and experience to assist with academic sessions, confined water training, and even conduct certain programs independently.

At Oceanwide Outfitters, we provide hands-on training with experienced SSI professionals, preparing you for real-world teaching scenarios in both pool and open water environments. You’ll strengthen your dive theory knowledge, refine your presentation techniques, and become more confident as a leader in the diving community.

What You’ll Learn

• How to effectively assist in teaching core SSI training programs
• How to independently conduct Try Scuba and Scuba Skills Update sessions
• How to lead skill training in confined water under direct instructor supervision
• Techniques to prepare, structure, and deliver professional academic knowledge presentations
• Advanced development of your underwater leadership, group control, and communication skills

What's Included in the Course Fee ($1300):

• Professional academic instruction and presentation workshops
• Pool/confined water training sessions
• Classroom review modules
• Digital training materials (Note: the digital app ecosystem provided covers both this Assistant Instructor Course and your future Open Water Instructor Course)
• All required student training materials

Why Choose Oceanwide Outfitters?
We offer a supportive, professional learning environment with passionate, highly experienced instructors. Benefit from flexible scheduling, small class sizes, and the convenience of our premier on-site training pool and retail facility. Start shaping the future of diving with us today!

Start Your Professional Diving Career with SSI

SSI started in 1970 with a vision of making it possible for anyone to learn to dive. With more than 3,500 Training Centers in over 150 countries and 100,000+ Professionals, it is easy to make a career with SSI wherever you choose. SSI is the name to trust in the diving industry as an RSTC founding member and globally ISO certified.

A progressive approach to personalized training and close cooperation ensures you will have access to global career opportunities and get the best training possible. We look forward to working with you and welcoming you to the SSI Professional community!

How the Training Works

• Digital Learning & Academics: SSI has mastered the use of digital technology to make your learning experience easy. You can start by studying the professional academics anytime, anywhere at your own convenience, and  will schedule your structured review and classroom presentation sessions.
• In-Water Training: During your pool/confined water and open water training sessions, you will apply your leadership knowledge, practice demonstration-quality skills, and manage training simulations in a real-world environment under the direct supervision of your Instructor Trainer.
• Certification: Once you have completed all required training sessions, final examinations, and evaluation dives, your digital certification card will issue instantly on your MySSI App.

Facts and Training Standards

• Minimum Age: 18 years old
• Amount of Academic Sessions: 6
• Amount of Pool/Confined Water Sessions: 6
• Amount of Open Water Sessions: 7
• Maximum Training Depth: 40 meters / 130 feet
• Suggested Duration: 35 to 42 hours

Course Prerequisites

• Active SSI Divemaster status (or equivalent certification from a recognized training agency)
• A minimum of 60 logged open water dives (totaling 40 hours or more of dive time)
• Current First Aid/CPR and O2 Provider certifications