Why the SSI Instructor Training Course is the Smart Alternative to the PADI IDC

If you’re planning to become a scuba diving instructor, you’ve probably come across the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). While the PADI IDC has long been a popular option, it’s not the only route to a rewarding career as a dive professional. Today, more divers are choosing the SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC) as the smarter, more flexible alternative to the PADI IDC.

Here’s why the SSI pathway makes sense for both your wallet and your future career.

Lower Training Costs Without Compromising Quality

One of the biggest reasons divers look for an alternative to the PADI IDC is cost. The total price of the PADI IDC plus instructor evaluation and required crew packs and application fees.can easily exceed USD $3,000, not including required crew packs and application fees.

By comparison, the SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC) is often significantly more affordable. At Ocean Tribe, the complete SSI ITC including materials, instructor evaluation, and application fees costs around USD $2,250, saving you up to USD $750 or more from the start. See below for an exact comparison to how our instructor courses cost up.

SSI’s training materials are fully digital and included in the price so you won’t face unexpected expenses for manuals or extra crew packs.

It is not just a case of “you get what you pay for” with PADI’s higher pricing. But becoming a dive instructor can be an expensive affair so you want to make sure you get the maximum value.

Greater Flexibility in How You Teach

The PADI IDC requires you to follow a rigid sequence when teaching skills which can make it harder to adapt to your students’ needs.

The SSI Instructor Course focuses on flexibility. You can rearrange skills as needed to match student pace and comfort levels. This adaptive approach often leads to better learning outcomes and makes you a more versatile instructor.

Take a look at the SSI Scuba Diving Training Standards Free

Worldwide Recognition and Job Opportunities

Some aspiring instructors worry that an SSI certification won’t open as many job doors as PADI. The reality is very different:

• SSI has over 3,800 dive centres in more than 140 countries, and its global presence is growing rapidly.
• Many dive centres now accept both SSI and PADI instructors, giving you just as many opportunities.
• You’ll automatically be qualified to teach multiple specialties you already hold as a diver (Enriched Air Diving, Perfect Buoyancy, Science of Diving, etc.) without additional crossover costs

By choosing the SSI Instructor Course, you’ll gain access to a broad global network of employment opportunities. If anything there is a scarcity of SSI Instructors at the moment and there are dive centres who want to run SSI programs looking to recruit more.

Training Materials: SSI Wetnotes vs. PADI Instructor Slates

Another major advantage of the SSI Instructor Course is the quality and practicality of the training materials you receive.

A serious plus of the SSI system is how accessible the Instructor Teaching Guides are. While they are also available as downloadable PDF instructor manuals like PADI, SSI has gone a step further by fully integrating them into the MySSI App. When teaching any course, the instructor simply clicks the “Pro” button on the same digital learning page the student is using, and the complete teaching guide and standards for that subject appear instantly. This makes lesson planning and course delivery incredibly simple, as all the required information is right at your fingertips on any device. It is a huge time-saver, eliminates the need to carry bulky manuals, and allows instructors to remain fully focused on their students.

SSI provides professional-grade Wetnotes instead of the bulky collection of instructor slates used by PADI.

• All courses in one place: SSI Wetnotes combine every course you are qualified to teach into a single compact waterproof booklet
• Integrated pencil and storage area: Your Wetnotes include a secure pencil holder and space to jot down notes or diagrams underwater, with storage pockets for additional cards or references
• Much less bulky: Unlike the large bundle of PADI slates, Wetnotes fit neatly into your BCD pocket or can be easily clipped to a D-ring
• No rusting keyrings or broken slates: PADI slates often require multiple metal keyrings to keep them together which can corrode and fail over time. SSI Wetnotes eliminate this problem entirely
• Lighter and travel-friendly: Wetnotes are compact and light making them perfect for instructors who travel or work in different locations
• Easy to store and use: Having all your teaching materials in a single booklet saves time and hassle during courses

In short, SSI Wetnotes are built for efficiency, durability, and convenience, helping you stay organised and professional in every teaching environment.

By contrast, the PADI system requires instructors to carry a large, bulky stack of separate slates for each course which can be cumbersome in the water, difficult to travel with, and prone to wear and tear.

Easy Crossover Options If You’re Already a PADI Pro

If you’re already a PADI Divemaster or Instructor, SSI makes it straightforward to cross over.

• PADI Divemasters: You can enrol directly in the SSI ITC. Your Divemaster training and experience will count toward the prerequisites just as it does with the PADI IDC
• PADI Instructors: SSI offers a dedicated Instructor Crossover Program that recognises your existing rating. You won’t need to redo your entire instructor course and all equivalent specialties will be credited at no additional cost

This makes SSI a flexible option whether you’re starting fresh or already hold professional-level certifications with another agency.

Future Advantages as an SSI Instructor

Becoming an SSI Instructor isn’t just about saving on initial training costs. It also brings long-term benefits as you progress in your career:

• Lower annual renewal fees: SSI Professional renewal fees are generally lower than PADI’s, making it more cost-effective to maintain your active status year after year
• SSI Rewards System: Each time you issue certifications, you earn points in the SSI Rewards System. These points can be used to reduce the cost of future upgrades, crossovers, and professional fees, effectively rewarding you for teaching more divers
• Free specialty instructor applications: Unlike PADI, where each specialty instructor rating costs extra, SSI has one pro application which then covers the rest of your applications for that year. This saves you money when you want to expand the courses you can teach
• No hidden costs: With SSI, your digital training materials and professional tools remain accessible without recurring update fees

These advantages add up quickly, especially for instructors working full-time or seasonally in different destinations.

Added Value and Specialisation

Ocean Tribe’s upcoming SSI ITC includes bonus specialty instructor ratings for those who book early. For example, if you register before 10th August for our 1st September 2025 ITC, you’ll receive:

• React Right Instructor (First Aid & CPR)
• Classified Diving Instructor (Adaptive Scuba)
• Deep Instructor

These come in addition to the standard specialties you’ll already be qualified to teach as an SSI Open Water Instructor.

• Try Scuba Diving/ Basic Diver
• Scuba Diver Course
• Open Water Course
• Advanced Adventurer
• Perfect Buoyancy
• Diver Stress and Rescue
• Divemaster including Dive Guide and Science of Diving
• Computer Diving
• Enriched Air Nitrox
• Marine Ecology

The Bottom Line: A Smarter Alternative

If you’re comparing the PADI IDC with other options, the SSI Instructor Training Course is the best-value alternative to the PADI IDC. It’s more cost-effective, provides teaching flexibility, gives you industry-leading training materials, and offers equal (or greater) access to worldwide job opportunities.

At Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach, Kenya, we’ve helped divers from around the world launch their professional careers through our SSI ITC.

At Ocean Tribe, we made a deliberate decision to run the SSI Instructor Training Course instead of the PADI IDC because it aligns better with how we believe professional dive training should be delivered. Our Instructor Trainer Mark was an active PADI Course Director for 17 years. It was not a decision we took lightly. SSI’s flexible teaching philosophy allows us to tailor training to the strengths and needs of each candidate rather than follow a rigid checklist. The course materials are more modern and practical, with everything instructors need in one streamlined system. The lower costs and the long-term benefits for our graduates, such as the SSI Rewards system and reduced annual renewal fees, also ensure that becoming a dive professional remains accessible. Most importantly, SSI offers our candidates equal worldwide job opportunities with a growing network of dive centres. This combination of flexibility, value, and career support makes SSI the perfect choice for those serious about building a lasting career in the dive industry.

As a comparison just on the price terms for the aspiring dive instructor here our our current SSI pricing vs the previous PADI IDCs we ran last year according to local pricing. Where Euros and British pounds are shown is where we converted to USD according to the rate at the time of publishing on xe.com

Ready to Start Your Instructor Journey?

Our next SSI Instructor Training Course begins 1st September 2025. Spaces are limited to keep training personalised.

Click here to learn more and secure your place today

Choosing SSI isn’t just about saving money, it’s about building a stronger foundation for your diving career.