01You are a Divemaster and want to teach new divers independently.
02You enjoy working with people and are ready to devote time to developing your own teaching skills.
03You want instructor training with ongoing feedback, from the classroom to open water.
WHAT THE QUALIFICATION OPENS UP FOR YOU
After completing the ITC and passing the Instructor Evaluation, you will gain the Open Water Instructor qualification. In active status, you can teach and certify programmes within the SSI authorisation scope, including Open Water Diver.
Do you remember your first breath underwater? As an instructor, you will be there for similar moments again — this time as the person who helps others gain confidence in the water and in their own abilities. Your experience turns into something you can pass on.
The Instructor Training Course prepares you for working as a diving teacher. You will combine knowledge, skill demonstrations and guiding students into lessons that have a clear goal. You will present, plan, test and receive specific feedback. Part of the professional preparation is also working with standards and documentation.
Good teaching requires attention to the person in front of you. Someone who needs reassurance requires a different approach from a student who is moving too quickly. In the training, we therefore deal not only with correct performance, but also with how to explain, organise and make decisions in the role of an instructor.
We will go through your experience, certifications and goals. We will arrange the timetable and preparation before the first meeting so that you get as much as possible out of the training.
02
Theory you can explain
You will develop the topic into teaching with a clear structure. You will practise working with materials, questions and standards, as well as linking theory with what the student experiences in the water.
03
Skills you can demonstrate
In the pool and in open water, you will focus on demonstrations, group organisation and leading training. With the trainer, you will discuss each attempt and improve the next one.
04
Feedback and assessment
You will complete the ITC requirements and prepare for the IE. The clearly separate final assessment will verify your readiness for the instructor role.
MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER CARD
ITC is preparation. IE is assessment.
These two abbreviations refer to different parts of the journey. In the ITC, you have space to learn, correct mistakes and develop your teaching style with the trainer. The IE is an independent final assessment of readiness for instructor qualification.
When preparing the offer, we will explicitly confirm whether the selected option also includes participation and the fee for the IE. We will also clarify other costs, required documents and the sequence of dates. You will know what you are ordering and what still needs to be completed.
01 /
Preparation
Self-study, presentations and practical teaching under the trainer’s guidance.
02 /
Rating
Verification of knowledge and skills in a standalone Instructor Evaluation.
03 /
Further practice
After certification, continue working with students and developing your own teaching.
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.
For starting the ITC, at least 60 dives / 40 hours.
Open Water Diver or a higher qualification at least six months before starting the ITC.
AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY
Completion and qualification
Completed ITC including the prescribed assessments and final test.
Before the Instructor Evaluation, at least 100 dives / 65 hours; then successful IE.
The IE is assessed by an Instructor Certifier who was not directly involved in your ITC. To teach, you need active professional status.
70–80 hours recommended for ITC
The specific course is assembled according to the interest and availability of the candidates. The plan includes self-study, theory, pool and open water. The IE date is coordinated separately.
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.
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.
Participation and the fee for the IE only if the selected option expressly includes them.
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.
Completing the preparatory ITC alone is not enough. This is followed by the Instructor Evaluation. Only completing the full journey leads to the Open Water Instructor qualification.
Are 60 dives enough for me to begin?+
For entry to ITC, the stated minimum number of dives and hours, as well as other prerequisites, apply. For the IE, you need greater experience. During the consultation, we therefore also plan the route from the start of preparation to the final evaluation.
Is the final IE included in the price?+
It depends on the specific package. Its inclusion will always be confirmed explicitly. Without this confirmation, do not assume that the ITC price automatically also covers the IE.
Can I start straight from Divemaster?+
Yes, provided the other entry requirements are met. A separate Assistant Instructor stage is not mandatory before every ITC; however, it can be a useful step for gaining teaching experience.
Does certification automatically mean a job?+
Certification opens the professional path. Specific collaboration depends on your experience, active status and the needs of the centre. We will be happy to talk about opportunities for further practical experience.
What should I prepare before the first consultation?+
An overview of certifications, number of dives and hours, information about your equipment and an idea of your time availability. It also helps to answer where and whom you would one day like to teach.
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
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.
Joint team preparation at the water01 / 03
Explanation and joint preparation at the table02 / 03
Practical training in the pool03 / 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
07Instruction and working with the group
08Completing professional training
09Discussion of study materials
10Team with Divers Direct certifications
11Classroom study
12Diving team meeting
13People around professional training
14Together at Divers Direct
Adam ŠvancarInstructor Trainer
