What Happens on the SSI ITC?
Discover how the SSI Instructor Training Course transforms experienced dive leaders into confident educators through workshops, teaching presentations, skill development and real in-water practice.
Learn how to teach—not simply how to pass an exam
During the SSI Instructor Training Course, you take part in practical workshops designed to develop the art of teaching scuba divers safely, clearly and confidently.
You will attend presentations led by the Ocean Tribe SSI Instructor Trainer and supported by Assistant Instructor Trainers. These sessions combine teaching methods, SSI program knowledge, professional standards and practical career development.
You then put that knowledge into action by delivering academic, confined-water and open-water presentations in realistic student scenarios.
From diver to educator
Being able to perform a scuba skill is only the beginning. An instructor must be able to explain it, demonstrate it, supervise it and recognise when a student needs extra support.
The ITC develops each of those abilities through repetition, feedback and progressively more realistic teaching exercises.
How the ITC develops your teaching
Each part builds on the last, moving from preparation and workshop development into realistic academic and in-water teaching.
Digital learning and preparation
Complete your SSI ITC Digital Learning, revise dive theory, review SSI training standards and practise your scuba skills before live training begins.
Instructor-led workshops
Explore teaching techniques, program administration, professional responsibilities, risk management and the SSI education system.
Academic teaching practice
Deliver short classroom presentations using SSI materials and learn how to turn technical information into an engaging student lesson.
Confined-water presentations
Brief, demonstrate, supervise and debrief scuba skills while your fellow candidates simulate realistic student difficulties.
Open-water teaching
Plan and conduct ocean sessions while managing the site, your assistants, student divers and the required performance objectives.
Reviews and exam practice
Complete knowledge reviews and practise the theory and standards examinations used during the separate SSI Instructor Evaluation.
Final performance review
Review your progress with the training team, identify final areas to refine and prepare to enter the Instructor Evaluation confidently.
The core training components
Your course combines knowledge, practical teaching and professional development. Each element helps you prepare for both the Instructor Evaluation and the real job that follows it.
ITC workshops
Build on your digital learning through staff-led discussions, demonstrations, problem-solving exercises and team activities.
Exam practice
Review dive theory and learn how to locate information efficiently within SSI training standards and professional materials.
Demonstration-quality skills
Refine your scuba and rescue skills so every important step is slow, controlled, visible and easy for students to understand.
Student supervision
Learn positioning, control, assistant use and techniques for spotting potential problems before they become serious.
Evaluation and feedback
Recognise whether a student has met the performance requirements and provide feedback that is constructive and motivating.
Professional development
Discuss career planning, customer care, the business of diving and the professional behaviour expected from an SSI Instructor.
Your three presentation environments
A dive instructor must be able to communicate effectively in a classroom, at the pool and in open water. The ITC develops all three.
Academic presentations
Use SSI lesson guides, digital learning and instructor materials to answer an assigned question clearly. You will practise involving students, using examples and connecting theory to real diving.
Confined-water presentations
Brief a skill, demonstrate it at teaching quality and supervise simulated students. You must identify deliberately assigned problems, correct them and finish with an effective debrief.
Open-water presentations
Organise a real ocean training site and teach multiple skills while managing environmental conditions, student safety, assistants and the session’s performance requirements.
It is not only about teaching scores
Instructor candidates are expected to behave like dive professionals throughout their training—not only when an evaluation officially begins.
Professional behaviour: punctuality, preparation, attitude, communication and respect for candidates, staff and customers.
Equipment presentation: complete, suitable and professionally maintained diving equipment.
Safety and control: effective supervision, positioning, organisation and use of certified assistants.
SSI system knowledge: understanding how SSI programs, standards and the Diver Diamond support student development.
Demonstration skills: calm, controlled and clearly visible scuba and rescue-skill demonstrations.
Coachability: the ability to accept feedback, adapt your approach and improve throughout the course.
Act like the professional you are becoming
Great instructors do more than deliver course content. They create a safe learning environment, adapt to individual students and represent the dive centre and training organisation professionally.
- Put diver safety before convenience.
- Use training standards consistently.
- Communicate calmly and clearly.
- Support students with different learning needs.
- Model responsible and environmentally aware diving.
Prepare for a real diving career
Ocean Tribe uses the ITC to develop employable instructors—not only candidates who can complete an evaluation.
- Develop confident customer communication.
- Understand the business side of professional diving.
- Build experience working with a training team.
- Discuss career opportunities and professional progression.
- Plan your route toward Specialty Instructor and Divemaster Instructor.
What can you add around the ITC?
Your Open Water Instructor rating is the start of your instructional journey. Additional instructor programs can broaden what you are qualified to teach and help you progress through the SSI professional system.
Explore Specialty Instructor CoursesReact Right Instructor
Develop the ability to teach CPR, First Aid and emergency oxygen skills required by divers and dive professionals.
Specialty Instructor ratings
Add programs such as Deep Diving, Navigation, Night Diving, Perfect Buoyancy and Enriched Air Nitrox.
Divemaster Instructor pathway
Work toward the instructor ratings and certification experience required to train SSI Dive Guides and Divemasters.
What Happens on the ITC FAQs
Is the ITC mainly classroom based?
No. Classroom workshops are important, but a substantial part of the program involves confined-water training, skill demonstrations, rescue development and open-water teaching presentations.
Do I need to complete the digital learning before arriving?
Yes. Completing the assigned digital learning before live training allows the workshops to concentrate on applying the knowledge rather than introducing every subject from the beginning.
Will I have to teach in front of the other candidates?
Yes. You will deliver academic and in-water presentations while fellow candidates act as students. This creates a supportive place to practise, receive feedback and improve.
Is the Instructor Evaluation part of the ITC?
The ITC prepares you for the separate SSI Instructor Evaluation. The evaluation is conducted by an authorised SSI Instructor Certifier and verifies your knowledge and teaching performance.
What happens if I struggle with a presentation?
The ITC is a training environment. Your trainers will identify what needs improvement, coach you through the relevant techniques and give you opportunities to develop your performance.
Ready to turn your diving experience into teaching skills?
Train with Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach and develop the knowledge, confidence and practical ability required to teach the next generation of divers.
