01You are a Divemaster and working with students appeals to you as much as diving itself.
02You want to learn how to lead a lesson and get feedback from the trainer.
03You are planning an instructor qualification and want to enter it with greater confidence.
WHAT THE QUALIFICATION OPENS UP FOR YOU
An active Assistant Instructor can lead selected programmes, such as Try Scuba, Scuba Skills Update and Perfect Buoyancy. The theory and pool teaching for OWD is carried out under the indirect supervision of an instructor. They do not independently certify OWD or lead its open water training dives.
An experienced diver handles their skills naturally. But a student sees them for the first time. Assistant Instructor teaches you to bridge that gap: break the explanation down into understandable steps, show what matters and recognise when someone needs more time.
During preparation you will try working in front of a group and teaching in the water. We will keep returning to how you set tasks, where you stand and how you check understanding. Patience and clear communication are important — as is the ability to accept your own feedback.
This programme is suitable for Divemasters who want to be closer to teaching and gain experience before the next instructor training. It can be a standalone goal or part of a longer path to Open Water Instructor. We will tailor the pace to your experience and time for preparation.
We will go through the completed prerequisites and your expectations. You will prepare from the materials and we will set out the areas we will focus on during the training.
02
Clear teaching
You will put together a short presentation, connect the theory with a specific situation and try out questions from students. The trainer will help you refine the structure and explanation.
03
Skill as a demonstration
You will practise demonstration, lesson organisation and cooperation with the instructor. We will watch whether the student sees and understands what matters.
04
Feedback and assessment
We will use each attempt to improve further. Once the prescribed requirements have been met, we will complete the programme and discuss your further involvement in teaching.
MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER CARD
Closer to students. With a clear role.
In the training team, everyone has their own responsibility. The Assistant Instructor brings students additional attention and the instructor reliable cooperation. That is why, from the outset, you learn not only how to explain, but also where your role begins and ends.
If you want to independently lead and certify a basic diving course, your next goal is Open Water Instructor. During the consultation we will compare the standalone AI programme with preparation for the full ITC, so that you can choose the path that matches your intention.
01 /
Explanation
To turn a technical topic into language that the student understands.
02 /
Demonstration
To slow down, show and allow space for questions and repetition.
03 /
Cooperation
To pass important information to the instructor and stick to the agreed plan.
03 / EVERYTHING ESSENTIAL
A clear plan. From day one.
What you need before you start, what awaits you and what to budget for.
BEFORE STARTING
Entry requirements
From 18 years; Divemaster and Enriched Air Nitrox 40 or recognised equivalents.
At least 60 dives / 40 hours and at least six months since certification as Open Water Diver.
Preparedness for self-study, presentations and regular practical preparation.
AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY
Completion and qualification
At least 75 dives / 50 hours.
Prescribed part of the instructor programme, practical assessments and final test. For professional activity, also active status.
Theory, pool and open water
We will arrange the schedule with the trainer according to your prior experience and time for preparation. The standalone Assistant Instructor covers the relevant part of instructor training; it is not the same as the full ITC.
The school’s facilities. Real water.
Theory and pool training at Divers Direct facilities. Open water is planned according to the specific programme, conditions and agreement with the trainer.
Study materials and final certification of Assistant Instructor.
Teaching with a trainer, pool training and open water training according to the programme.
Pool entry, cylinder, weights and air for pool training.
Cylinder and weight for open water training.
Charged separately
Site entry fees, parking, transport and cylinder fills for open water.
Additional diving equipment, any accommodation and travel costs.
SSI professional fees and costs associated with active status.
We will confirm the specific price and scope for your programme. For professional training, materials, the chosen option and any follow-up assessment also matter.
Before starting, the trainer will verify the current SSI requirements, recognition of equivalent qualifications and the necessary documents. For active professional practice, medical fitness, first aid, oxygen, professional registration and other conditions according to the level are also addressed.
Can I certify Open Water Diver myself after the course?+
No. This qualification has its own scope of authorisation. For independent teaching and certifying OWD, continue via ITC and Instructor Evaluation to Open Water Instructor.
Is the final IE included in the course?+
Assistant Instructor has its own completion requirements. Instructor Evaluation belongs to the path to Open Water Instructor. For combined training, we will clarify the scope and price of both parts in advance.
Do I need to have 75 dives already at the start?+
Entry and completion conditions are separate. Total time underwater also counts. We will go through the logbook and include space for further practice in the preparation.
Can the training be combined with work?+
We arrange the schedule individually. Also expect self-study and preparation of presentations between meetings; attending the lessons alone is not enough.
Will the teaching be in Czech?+
We will confirm the organisation and language of the specific course in advance. A basic understanding of English diving terminology is useful when working with materials and international programme names.
YOUR INSTRUCTORS
This course will be taught to you personally.
Meet our professionals who can teach this course. We will agree the specific instructor and date together.
Adam ŠvancarInstructor Trainer
Adam Švancar
SSI Instructor Trainer #82884
School management, divemaster and instructor training. Nitrox and Science of Diving.
Adam leads the Divers Direct diving school and, as an SSI Instructor Trainer, focuses on divemaster and instructor training. He looks after the quality of teaching and the development of Divers Direct. Adam began his professional career in 2009 in Czech waters as a PADI Divemaster and later an Instructor (Master Scuba Diver Trainer). From 2010 to 2011, he also worked at the Lighthouse dive centre in Dahab, Egypt.
In the Czech Republic, he focuses primarily on professional diving candidates and leads the Instructor Training Course including preparation for the Instructor Evaluation. He works with current instructors on their further education, speciality courses and professional updates. In addition, he enthusiastically teaches Enriched Air Nitrox and Science of Diving courses.
In addition to teaching, he enjoys wreck diving in his free time, and is interested in caves and ice diving.
You can read the full overview of the courses Adam teaches here: https://my.divessi.com/pro/82884
Radek NosekAssistant Instructor Trainer
Radek Nosek
SSI Assistant Instructor Trainer #113671
From Zanzibar to teaching. He shares his passion for diving through courses and social events.
He first got into diving on holiday in Zanzibar, where he walked round the dive centre for so long that he eventually “accidentally” wandered inside. He was lucky enough to have a great local divemaster, who probably thought diving had to totally captivate him – and it did so without exception.Before his holiday even ended, he was already signed up for the OWD course, which marked the beginning of his diving journey.
Since then, he has completed dives in quarries and at sea, and discovered that he absolutely loves working with people and passing on his enthusiasm for diving. This was followed by the Divemaster and Open Water Instructor courses, thanks to which he can now meet other divers at courses and events.
P.S.: As the divemaster in Zanzibar would say: “Hakuna Matata”.
DIVERS DIRECT / YOUR NEXT STEP
Your next chapter begins with a conversation.
Tell us where you are today and where you want to get to. Together we will discuss the entry level, scope of preparation, dates and the full budget.
Explanation and joint preparation at the table01 / 03
Practical training in the pool02 / 03
Joint team preparation at the water03 / 03
03Graduates of instructor training by the water
04Preparing the instructor team for a dive
05Presentation of diving equipment during training
06Group photo by the pool
Adam ŠvancarInstructor Trainer
Radek NosekAssistant Instructor Trainer
