Become a Scuba Instructor and Share Your Passion Of Scuba Diving

SSI Open Water Instructors are the backbone of the scuba diving industry. They are the stepping stone for new divers, teaching them to safely explore the underwater world by providing introductory courses to those who are considering a scuba certification, and teaching continuing education programs that create life-long and enthusiastic divers.

SSI Open Water Program Overview

The SSI Open Water Instructor is the third Professional Membership Level withing the SSI system. The SSI Open Water Instructor program trains you to be an amazing, well-prepared, versatile and marketable SSI Professional, with the ability to provide high- quality training to entry-level and experienced divers alike. The program is intended to be a fun and challenging learning experience that will present you with new skills and knowledge that will increase your abilities as an SSI Professional and to be the best you can be.

Once qualified you will be able to teach a variety of key SSI programs independently such as Open Water Diver, Stress and Rescue Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, and Dive Guide plus much more. 

Course Structure

The training process for the Open Water Instructor program depends on your level of certification as you can do the Open Water Instructor from a Dive Guide or Assistant Instructor. Once certified you will be able to teach beginner programs such as Try Dive, Scuba Diver, Open Water and specialties such as Deep Diver,  Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue and Dive Guide.

Assistant Instructor upgrade to Open Water Instructor

If you are already completed the SSI Assistant Instructor program then you have already learnt so much about being a SSI Professional, and delivering SSI Programs. The Open Water Instructor will take what you have already learned and further enhance your training and practice of delivering SSI programs in the pool and in open water. 

You will initially complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) and then enrol in an Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an Open Water Instructor. 

Divemaster to Open Water Instructor

If you know you already want to do the full journey then you can combine the Assistant Instructor and Open Water Instructor program by completing the SSI Assistant instructor Program, the Instructor Training Course (ITC) and then enrol in an Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an Open Water Instructor.

For those who want to take more time to learn and to gain valuable teaching experience between the training programs the 3 parts can also be taken as single steps - Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC) and Instructor Evaluation (IE) one after the other at your own pace and with a flexible schedule.

What's included in the program:

• All tuition and support from the team at Ipswich Scuba
• Most equipment hire including tank and air
• Swimming pool fees
• A cuppa on training days in the classroom. 

Not included: SSI training materials but you can add this on when you purchase if you have not got them already.*
Not included SSI Registration fee is extra and paid direct to SSI
Not included entry fees and accommodation for inland dive sites.

* SSI Training Materials which all professionals must have. (The SSI IDC crewpak includes all the materials needed to prepare you for a SSI Assistant Instructor and Open Water Scuba Instructor.) If you have completed the Assistant Instructor Program already and have these materials you do not need to purchase them again. 

• The item pack includes:
• Instructor cue cards for SSI’s core courses (OW, AOW, Rescue and Divemaster)
• IDC Candidate Workbook and related reference materials
• Lesson planning slates for confined and open water
• Quiz and exam booklets for the core courses
• SSI Instructor Manual

Open Water Scuba Instructor Pre-Requisites:

• Minimum age is 18.
  
• Have logged at least 100 open water dives totaling 65 hours or more.
• SSI Divemaster, SSI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver qualifications or equivalent certification from another training agency
  
• Have good personal diving and buoyancy skills and be able to snorkel 800 metres
• All participants must be fit for diving and submit a full medical statement, signed by a physician within the last 12 months.

Fees

The full price of the Open Water with the Assistant Instructor Program combined is £2000, however you must have the Professional Crewpak which can be purchased with this program for an extra £175. 

If you are already an Assistant Instructor then you do not need to do the combined program so just need to book onto the Open Water Instructor Course (ITC) which is £1000. 

If you wish to pay in instalments - no problem. We require £300 deposit to secure your place and get you started. If you purchase the deposit option we will be in touch to confirm if you need the professional crewpak and this will be included in the deposit. 

What do I need to do?

Book onto the Open Water Instructor Program and we will do the rest. Alternatively if you want to break up the program then visit and book onto the Assistant Instructor Program - for more information click here. Still have questions, pop into the shop for a cuppa and we will go through it all with you. 

What happens next?

We like to personalise your program as much as we can to suit you. We start by holding the first academic session where we will go through everything the program entails, assign you your materials and show you where to find everything you need for your program and arrange the program around your availability. 

Book on today and join the SSI and Ipswich Scuba Family and help others to learn to love scuba diving as much as you do.