Switch Systems. Keep Your Experience.
Already an instructor with PADI or another recognised training organisation? Cross over to SSI without repeating everything you have already mastered.
Not starting again
The SSI Instructor Crossover recognises your existing instructor education and introduces you to SSI’s philosophy, systems, standards and teaching structure.
The focus is familiarisation—not teaching you to be a diving instructor from scratch. Your previous professional experience is respected while Ocean Tribe ensures you are fully prepared to teach safely and confidently within SSI.
- Learn SSI’s educational philosophy and teaching system.
- Understand SSI standards and operational procedures.
- Match existing qualifications to appropriate SSI ratings.
- Refresh academic and in-water instructor-level skills.
- Assist experienced Ocean Tribe instructors with real students.
- Prepare for the two-day SSI Instructor Evaluation.
Already qualified elsewhere?
Certified instructors from recognised WRSTC and equivalent training organisations may be eligible for the SSI professional crossover.
Active instructors
Active instructors from recognised organisations can apply to crossover to the equivalent SSI professional level.
Recently inactive instructors
Inactive instructors may be eligible provided they have not been inactive for more than five years.
Inactive over five years
Additional training or the full SSI Instructor Training Course may be required before returning to active instructor status.
Your route into SSI
Verify your rating
Ocean Tribe reviews your current instructor certification, teaching status, experience and existing professional ratings.
Complete MySSI registration
Upload your instructor qualifications and professional documents to MySSI and register for the applicable SSI professional ratings.
Complete crossover training
Study the SSI system, standards and programs while completing the required academic and in-water development sessions.
Attend the SSI IE
After completing the crossover and final exam, attend the two-day Instructor Evaluation to become an SSI Open Water Instructor.
What you will learn
Training builds on your proven instructor skills while ensuring your knowledge and teaching meet SSI requirements.
SSI educational philosophy
Understand SSI’s approach to comfort through repetition, performance-based training and student-centred development.
Standards and procedures
Learn how SSI programs must be organised, conducted, documented and certified.
MySSI system
Become familiar with digital materials, student registration, training records and certification processing.
In-water skills
Demonstrate the broader instructor-level skill base required by SSI and refresh any areas that need development.
Teaching structure
Adapt your existing presentation and teaching experience to SSI’s academic, pool and open-water formats.
Real student experience
Intern alongside experienced Ocean Tribe instructors and assist with genuine Open Water Diver students.
What you need
- Minimum age of 18 years.
- Current or eligible-to-renew instructor certification.
- Copies of all instructor and professional ratings.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification.
- Current emergency oxygen-provider certification.
- MySSI professional account and uploaded documentation.
- Registration for the applicable SSI ratings.
- Required personal dive equipment.
Become an SSI instructor
Candidates completing the crossover and final examination become eligible to attend the independent two-day SSI Instructor Evaluation.
Candidates from non-SSI organisations may require additional sessions depending on previous training, current status and demonstrated knowledge.
One price. Clear pathway.
Your course combines the professional crossover, evaluation, digital materials, application fee and essential SSI instructor resources.
- SSI Instructor Crossover Course
- SSI Instructor Evaluation
- Instructor Digital Crewpack
- SSI teaching wetnotes
- SSI Professional mask strap
- Dive Briefing and Dive Guide Evaluation slate
- SSI Professional Application Fee
Instructor course calendar
Ocean Tribe normally runs an Instructor Training Course every few months. Crossover training can be coordinated around suitable Instructor Evaluation dates, subject to availability and confirmation.
| Course / Program | Nov–Dec 2026 | March 2027 | May 2027 | July 2027 | September 2027 | October 2027* | Nov–Dec 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Instructor | 28 Nov–1 Dec | 4–8 Mar | 4–8 May | 15–19 Jul | 4–8 Sep | 19–23 Oct | 28 Nov–1 Dec |
| Instructor Training Course | 28 Nov–7 Dec | 4–13 Mar | 4–13 May | 15–24 Jul | 4–13 Sep | 24–29 Oct | 28 Nov–7 Dec |
| Instructor Evaluation | 8–9 Dec | 14–15 Mar | 14–15 May | 25–26 Jul | 14–15 Sep | 30–31 Oct | 8–9 Dec |
| Specialty Instructor Training | 12–13 Dec | 18–19 Mar | 18–19 May | 29–30 Jul | 18–19 Sep | 1–3 Nov | 12–13 Dec |
| Assistant Instructor Trainer | 28 Nov–7 Dec | 4–13 Mar | 4–13 May | 15–24 Jul | 4–13 Sep | 19–29 Oct | 28 Nov–7 Dec |
Crossover FAQs
Do I have to repeat my entire instructor course?
Can an inactive instructor complete the crossover?
Is the Instructor Evaluation included?
Will all my existing instructor ratings transfer?
Can I join if I am involved in a quality-management case?
Are the listed calendar dates guaranteed?
Switch. Grow. Keep teaching.
Build on the instructor you already are and open a new professional pathway through SSI and Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach, Kenya.
Diani Beach, Kenya · +254 700 934 854 · info@oceantribe.co
