Course prerequisites:

• Minimum age 18
• Certified diver for a minimum of 6 months
• Proof of 100 logged dives completed in a number of different environments with varying depths
• Be certified as a SDI Divemaster, SDI Assistant Instructor, or equivalent
• Provide proof of current CPR, first aid and oxygen provider*, where local law permits

* Note: CPR, first aid, and oxygen provider courses may be combined with the IDC Program by qualified instructors

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• SDI Standards and Procedures
• History of SDI
• Products and procedures
  • How to place an order
  • Registration procedures
  • Yearly renewals
• Liability and insurance
  • Risk management
  • Waivers and releases
• Filling out an accident report
• Methods of instruction
  • Teaching theory, methods and oral communications
  • Lesson preparation
  • Use of training aids
  • SDI home study program, use of knowledge quest
• Successfully selling scuba
  • Budgeting courses
  • Recruiting students
  • Organizing and scheduling a course
  • Retail sales
• Instructor ethics
• Physics and physiology of diving

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Present a minimum of
  • Two classroom presentations
  • Two lessons in confined water
  • Two lessons in open water
• Show preparation, planning and control in
  • Dive management
  • Diving activities
• Perform, to demonstration quality, one complete rescue scenario
• Perform a 10 minute survival-float, without the use of swimming aids
• Complete a 400 meter swim on the surface, non-stop, any stroke, without the use of swimming aids, in less than 10 minutes; swim goggles permitted
• Complete a 800 meter swim with mask, snorkel, and fins non-stop without the use of arms in less than 17 minutes
• Bring a diver, simulating unconsciousness, up from depth, not greater than 6 meters / 20 feet; at the surface swim them 100 meters in less than 4 minutes
• Pool/confined water
  • Candidates must perform, to demonstration quality, all skills listed in the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Course
  • Pool/confined water problem solving
• Open Water
  • In open water candidates must perform, to demonstration quality, all skills listed in the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Course
  • Open water problem solving

Required Skill Performance for IEC, the student must:

• Present a minimum of
  • One classroom presentation, minimum time 15 minutes in duration
  • One full lesson in confined water
  • One full lesson in open water
• The evaluating instructor trainer must verify all required subjects were covered and skills were performed

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may:

• Teach the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, Advanced Adventure Diver Specialty, Computer Diver, Rescue Diver, Divemaster and Assistant Instructor course

SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor minimum requirements:

• Satisfactorily complete the SDI Instructor written exam or online equivalent
• Successfully complete the IDC and the IEC
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning class planning and execution