Who can start the SSI Instructor Training Course?

There are a few prerequisites to start the SSI ITC:

• be at least a certified an SSI Dive Control Specialist or PADI Divemaster or equivalent to start the course.
• be 18 years or older
• have made at least 75 logged dives (you need 100 logged dives at the end of the course)
• have a current medical exam for diving, signed by a licensed medical practitioner
• provide proof of current 1st aid and CPR training (valid within 24 months)
• have your own full set of scuba equipment
• have the right and positive attitude to become a dive instructor

How long does the SSI Instructor Training Course take?

The course takes about two weeks and is split up in two parts; the ITC (Instructor Training Course) and the IE (Instructor Examination). There is also the option to add three additional days of training at the beginning of the course, the so called ITC prep. This is mandatory for divemasters from another training agency or if you think you need to catch up on skills and theory. This will be discussed with your Instructor Trainer.

The standard ITC takes about 12 full days. In these twelve days you learn everything that prepares you to become a dive instructor:

• Dive theory and classroom presentations: not only do you need to have a fundamental knowledge of dive theory, you are also expected to present this theory in clear and structured lectures. Expect a lot of test exams and classroom presentations on topics like dive physics, physiology, equipment and decompression theory. The theory is the same as what you learned during your Dive Control Specialist or Divemaster course. Now we only teach you how to explain this to others.
• SSI training standards: As an SSI instructor you can't just do what you want. There are standards that define the maximum depth, the group size and how many training dives you can do on a day. Minimum equipment requirements, paperwork that needs to be done and what skills need to be covered on a certain course. These standards guarantee that the students receive safe and consistent training, anywhere in the world.
• Confined Water practice: By now you probably know how to remove your mask, adjust your buoyancy or how to share air with a diver that is out of air. But as an instructor you need to be able to explain and demonstrate these skills in a clear way, keep the group under control and evaluate your students to decide if they are comfortable or need more practice. So we spend a lot of time in the swimming pool to practice this to perfection.
• Open Water practice: When you take students out to the open water, group control and judgement are even more important than in the swimming pool. You need to have control at all times and be alert of stress and potential dangerous situations. Only then can you avoid problems and make sure that your students are always safe and comfortable during your course. We practice open water dives and skills at our local reefs in Khao Lak.
• Paperwork and administration: It's not only diving when you work as a dive instructor. Your paperwork needs to be complete and you need to know the proper procedures to certify your students. Luckily this doesn't take up too much time, but it is very, very important.
• The business of diving: Diving has become a big industry and it is very interesting to see how diveschools do their business. Competition is big and it is interesting to see the costs and procedures that run behind the scenes. What are the costs in a diveschool or during a course? Is it good to be low budget or better to be top end? We will discuss this in the form of workshops.
• Diving and the environment: It is becoming very clear that the divesites around the world are under threat by pollution, overfishing and rising temperatures. But what about divers? Are they good or bad for the reefs? And what can we do to keep the impact as minimal as possible or even make a positive difference?
• Safety and judgement: Even with all the paperwork, training standards and practice, diving is still a potentially dangerous activity. We can't prepare you for every imaginable problem, but we can teach you to use your judgement and prevent problems in the first place. Only then will you be able to be a good instructor.

The ITC gives you the opportunity to practice, practice and practice. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Better you make them here and learn from them so they don't happen on a real course. The ITC isn't so much a pass / fail course but more a preparation for the IE and the real job of a dive instructor. However, your Instructor Trainer will decide if you are ready for the final step, the IE. If not, he might advise you to gain more experience working as an assistant with other instructors before you do the IE. Don't be afraid, this doesn't happen often. But we want to make sure that only good, safe, knowledgeable and motivated people become an SSI Instructor. The IE takes two full days and here you will be tested by an external SSI Instructor Certifier who will decide whether you are ready to work as an active SSI Open Water Instructor or not.

You will be scored on the following areas:

• Dive theory and training standards
• Classroom presentations
• Confined water presentations
• Open water presentations

When you pass the IE, you have definitely earned yourself the rating of SSI Open Water Instructor and are ready to teach people to dive.

What can you teach as an SSI Open Water Instructor?

When you have finished your ITC, you will be awarded the rating of SSI Open Water Instructor. You are allowed to teach the following courses:

• Resort Diver (trydives)
• Scuba Diver
• Open Water Diver
• Advanced Adventurer
• Stress and Rescue specialty

Schedule season 2011-2012

Prices and what is included?

The total price for the standard SSI Instructor Training Course is 65,000 Baht. Included in this price are:

• The ITC training itself
• Course materials
• Application fees for SSI
• IE fee

Not included are:

• Accommodation
• Meals and drinks
• Use of dive equipment

You can upgrade your package with the following modules:

• ITC prep course (3 days before the start of the ITC): 5,000 Baht
• Specialty Instructor: 2,500 Baht per specialty
• React Right Instructor: 10,000 Baht
• O2 Instructor: 5,000 Baht

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