Assistant Instructor Trainer

The Fun Part

As an Assistant Instructor Trainer you will be able to teach and certify Assistant Instructors to teach academics and conduct in-water training. It is also the first step to allowing you to become an SSI Instructor Trainer. Come and start the next step of your professional journey and learn how to create scuba diving assistant instructors.

Who should take this program?

Are you a certified instructor who is looking for new challenges in their career and who wishes to help develop new professionals in the field while advancing your own scuba career. The assistant instructor trainer course is perfect for you if you wish to take it slower and get a first feel for the job before fully committing to becoming a full Instructor Trainer, or if you don’t yet have all the prerequisites for enrolling in the Instructor Trainer program but wish to take the next step in your career.

As an Assistant Instructor Trainer, you are qualified to independently teach and certify assistant instructors as well as to assist full Instructor Trainers which gives you valuable experience along your scuba diving instructor pathway. When ready, you can finish the Instructor Training Seminar to become an Instructor Trainer yourself.

The prerequisites for enrolling in the Assistant Instructor Trainer program include: 

• Being at least 18 years old
• Holding a divemaster instructor qualification
• Having issued at least 45 certifications including:
  • 30 Open Water Diver *can be filled by a combination of other programs
  •   3 Diver Stress & Rescue
  •   3 Dive Guide
  •   3 Science of Diving
  •   6 Advanced Adventurer and/or additional specialty program

What will you learn?

Through the 6 days of the course you will be reminded of and taught how to teach about the organization of SSI, their standards and systems, about duties as a professional, and about record keeping and administration. You will also refine your own diving skills and the ability to conduct both academic and in-water training. This is so that you can learn how to carry-out academic and practical sessions for your students so they learn how to teach diving themselves. A large part of the course is also learning how to evaluate your students progress and ensure they are up to the standards before continuing their professional training. 

Your training will consist of academic sessions, both pool/confined water and open water training, as well as final exams to best prepare you. 

After completion, on top of training divemasters, you will also be able to supervise and issue certifications for the following programs: Assistant Instructors, Specialty Instructor Seminar (if you have the applicable specialty instructor certification), Dive Professional Crossover (up to Assistant Instructor Level), and you may also assist Instructor Trainers in conducting all SSI Instructor-level programs. 

What scuba gear will you use?

As a dive professional, you’ll want to have all your basic scuba equipment for your own comfort and safety, but for training purposes you will be able to use the dive center’s equipment. During practical skills exercises, like underwater mapping and search and recovery, you’ll use a compass, floats, marker buoys, lift bags and slates.

We recommend having your own dive computer, mask & snorkel, fins and an SMB. If needed we are happy to advise you on the equipment to best fit your goals and needs and help you with purchasing through our high-quality partners such as Cressi, Aqualung and Mares. 

What learning materials will you need?

When you sign up to the program you will receive access to the SSI online learning materials which can be used through the SSI Website/App. These consist of text and video material as well as knowledge reviews and can be downloaded for offline use. Before starting your in-person sessions, you should work through and complete the eLearning at your own pace.

During the in-person parts of your training you will receive a variety of academic and practical sessions both on land and in the water to prepare you as best as we can.

Additional information

The course duration is 6 days, but can be adapted to your goals and needs. When you sign up for the course we can also help you with finding convenient accommodation on the island that fits your budget. 

Come, enhance your professional career, make friends for life and enjoy the laid back vibe of our Greek paradise island!