Open Water Instructor

Continuing education in scuba diving - PRO

SSI Open Water Instructor certification card

9 Days

Required: Divemaster

Minimum age: 18

Leading the Way. Your Path to Becoming an Open Water Instructor

Becoming an SSI Open Water Instructor (OWI) is more than a career choice—it’s a lifestyle of adventure, freedom, and impact. Under the guidance of Leanne Clowes, an experienced Instructor Trainer, this course provides expert instruction to help you become the best instructor you can be. As a globally recognized certification, SSI OWI allows you to work at SSI Training Centres represented in over 130 countries, opening doors to endless opportunities worldwide.


1. Live Your Passion Daily
Turn your love for diving into a fulfilling career. Teaching others to explore the underwater world allows you to share your passion while doing what you love every day.

 

2. Travel the World
As a certified instructor, opportunities abound in some of the most stunning destinations on the planet. Work by the ocean, travel to exotic dive locations and make the world your office.

 

3. Empower and Inspire
Helping students take their first breath underwater is a rewarding experience. You'll inspire confidence, create lifelong memories, and open the door to new adventures for others.

 

4. Personal Growth
Teaching scuba diving hones leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. It’s a career that challenges you to grow both professionally and personally.

 

5. Sustainable Living
SSI Open Water Instructors play a crucial role in marine conservation. By fostering a connection to the ocean, you’ll inspire others to protect and cherish our planet's underwater ecosystems.

 

Embarking on this journey transforms not only your life but also the lives of those you teach. If you dream of a career that blends adventure, purpose, and passion, becoming an SSI Open Water Instructor is a choice you won’t regret.


  • What's Included

    + Accommodation

    + Digital training materials

    + Digital certification card

    + Physical training materials

    + Air tank and weights

    + Own gear storage area

    + Academic sessions

    + Open water training

    + All logistical costs

  • Course Schedule

    Full Instructor Training Course Outline:

    Assistant Instructor (Days 1-5) 


    Day 1


    + Orientation Session


    + Academic Session 1: Overview of SSI


    + Academic Session 2: Duties of an SSI Professional


    + Practical Application Session 5: Workshop – Open Water Diver and Scuba Skills Update


    + Practical Application Session 1: Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation


    Day 2


    + Academic Session 4: Academic Sessions


    + Academic Session 5: In-Water Teaching


    + Practical Application Session 4: Workshop – Try Scuba and SSI Explorers


    + One-on-one counselling session with each candidate


    Day 3


    + Academic Session 3: Program Administration


    + Practical Application Session 2: Academic Presentation – Open Water Diver


    + Practical Application Session 3: Academic Presentation – Perfect Buoyancy / Specialty Programs


    Day 4


    + Academic Session 6: Assistant Instructor Programs


    + Practical Application Session 6: Pool/Confined Water Presentation – Open Water Diver Skill


    + Practical Application Session 7: Pool/Confined Water Presentation – Perfect Buoyancy


    + Final Exam and review


    + Final program and performance review


    Day 5


    + Academic Session 7: The Open Water Diver Program


    + Academic Session 8: Open Water Instructor Specialties


    + Academic Session 9: Diver Stress and Rescue and Dive Guide


    Instructor Training (Days 6-9) 


    Day 6


    + Practical Application Session 8: Academic Presentation – Enriched Air Nitrox or Diver Stress and Rescue


    + Practical Application Session 10: Workshop – Diver Stress and Rescue Skills


    + Practical Application Session 12: Pool/Confined Water Presentation – Diver Stress and Rescue


    Day 7


    + Practical Application Session 11: Pool/Confined Water Presentation – Open Water Diver Emergency Skill


    + Practical Application Session 13: Open Water Presentation – Open Water Diver Skills


    + One-on-one counselling session with each candidate


    Day 8


    + Practical Application Session 9: Academic Presentation – Dive Guide


    + Practical Application Session 14: Dive Briefing Evaluation


    + Practical Application Session 15: Dive Guiding Evaluation


    Day 9


    + Academic Session 10: The Business of Diving


    + Academic Session: Your Career with SSI


    + Final program and performance review

  • What To bring?

    Open Water Instructor candidates should normally have their own diving equipment. We can rent the missing items for a supplement.

     

    We offer great discounts on dive equipment for our Professional Level Candidates and are more than happy to advise you on dive equipment purchases before your arrival.

  • Exclusions

    + Dive Gear


    + Current CPR, First Aid and O2 Provider training completed within the last 2 years (React Right Specialty)


    + Medical Examination clearance certificate

    Professional application fee (paid directly to SSI)

  • Prerequisites

    + Minimum age 18 years old


    + Have logged at least 75 open water dives totalling 50 hours or more.


    + Current CPR, First Aid and O2 Provider training completed within the last 2 years (React Right Specialty)


    + Medical Examination clearance certificate


    Have the following SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency: 


    + Divemaster 

    + Enriched Air Nitrox 40

  • Achievement

    Active status Open Water Instructor may teach, supervise, and issue certifications for the following programs:


    • Try Scuba
    • Basic Diver
    • Referral Diver
    • Indoor Diver
    • Scuba Diver
    • Open Water Diver
    • Experienced Diver Test
    • Scuba Skills Update
    • Advanced Adventurer
    • Perfect Buoyancy
    • Diver Stress & Rescue
    • Enriched Air Nitrox
    • Science of Diving
    • Dive Guide

    In addition, active status Open Water Instructors may also: 

    • Complete free online upgrades for Computer Diving, Marine Ecology, and SSI Explorer Specialty Instructor.

Popular Questions

Got a question? We’ve got answers

  • Is accommodation included?

    Yes, your accommodation is included in our package price. You will share a room with one other person—a fellow Instructor.

  • What is the age requirement?

    18 years old or older when you sign up for the Open Water Instructor with us. 

  • What should I bring with me?

    Warm clothes, swimwear, dive gear and a bicycle.

  • What is CPR / First Aid & Oxygen First Aid?

    This is the emergency first response course. It can be done anywhere before you come to us or maybe, you have it already... Don't worry if you don't. 

    It can also be done with us before Instructor course. Please note, this half-a-day course is valid for 24 months. 

  • How big is a group ?

    Each time the group is up to 6 candidates.

  • Should I have my own dive gear?

    Yes, the other small missing gear you can rent from us (extra cost).

  • How is the water visibility?

    Water visibility can range from 5 meters (17 feet) to infinity, depending on conditions.

  • Should I be a good swimmer?

    Well, good enough to swim 300 m... Don't worry, easy stuff.



  • Is there any hidden costs?

    Yes, you will need to cover your own living expenses, such as food and drinks.

  • What can I do out of course hours?

    Study...Explore Inishmore, learn Irish or clean our boat.

  • What is the next step after this?

    After completing this course, you can explore the world teaching scuba diving or apply to work with us.