SSI ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

SSI Assistant Instructor $1950

Teaching scuba dive is fun as well as challenging.

You will meet like-minded people and share with them experiences in the fantastic realm of the underwater world.

OK you are already a Dive Master and passionate about sharing the experience of the underwater world with others, so the next step is to become an Assistant Instructor or even an Instructor.

The Instructor course is split into 2 parts, but can be done as one. For those students with a limited time frame or budget, they may choose to break these into the 2 seperate components; SSI Assistant Instructor and then later on SSI Instructor.

Dive Now is based in Whangarei, we are a SSI Dive Training Center conveniently located near some of the best diving in New Zealand. We are within easy reach of some great wrecks, the beautiful Poor Knights Islands which we access with our dive charter. So when you complete your SSI Assistant Instructor course with us, great diving will be available to you.

As a SSI Assistant instructor you will collect valuable teaching experience, practise briefing, teach academics, and conduct in water training.

Becoming an SSI Assistant Instructor is a great step if you’re passionate about diving and want to share that passion with others while building a professional career in the industry.

TRY SCUBA AND BASIC DIVER SESSION

Introduce non divers to the experience of breathing underwater with a Try Dive in a pool or Basic Diver course where they get to experience a 5m dive in the ocean or lake.

TEACH REFRESHER LESSONS

Aimed at divers who haven’t been diving for 24 months or more, or they are inexperienced and want to increase their diving confidence practicing their skills with a professional. This can take place in a pool or the ocean.

TEAM TEACH PARTS OF THE OPEN WATER COURSE

Gain experience co -teaching an Open Water course with a SSI Instructor. Assistant Instructors can teach everything except the emergency skills.

1. Teach & Inspire New Divers

As an SSI Assistant Instructor, you’ll help introduce new divers to the underwater world by assisting in entry-level courses.
It’s a rewarding experience to see students gain confidence and develop a love for the ocean because of your guidance.

2. Professional Development

This certification is a stepping stone toward becoming a full SSI Open Water Instructor.
It sharpens your skills in communication, group management, and leadership.

3. Enhance Your Dive Knowledge

You’ll gain deeper insights into teaching methods, dive safety, and advanced dive theory.
This makes you a more competent and confident diver overall.

4. Earn Income in the Dive Industry

Assisting with courses opens up opportunities to work for dive centres or on charter trips, adding value to your role.
Some shops also pay Assistant Instructors for working with students, especially in busy

5. Life balance.

Being an Assistant Instructor allows you to work part-time or seasonally if you want to combine diving with other passions or careers.

6. Build Relationships with Students and Dive Shops

Working closely with students and instructors helps you expand your network and develop connections within the dive industry.

What to expect

Run over 5 full days, we will build your confidence and increase your diving skills to a level that will help you share your knowledge with others in a safe and practical way.

Some parts of the course may push you physical and mental, but you will have support from our staff to guide you through these challenges.

You will learn more about the SSI system and how it will assist you and your students on your diving journey.

Standard Course Structure

If at any time you are uncomfortable or feel you need any extra time, we are happy to provide this. We pride ourselves on producing high-quality dive Instructors who have the confidence, skills

Home study (10 + hours)	SSI Assistant Instructor Course eLearning (Theory).
Water fitness	Swim challenge, float and underwater swim
Theory	Academic portion
Delivering an academic class	Practise delivering an academic lesson to students and briefing skills.
Skills circuit	Demonstrate diving skills from the Open Water course at professional standards
Examination	Practical and theory exams

Course Dates
Contact us directly for date options
Starting Monday 22nd January 2025
Starting Monday 24th February 2025
Starting Monday 7th April 2025

Prerequisites:

If you need help in achieving some of the pre-requisites, whilst we can’t make you any older or heal any medical conditions, we can help you gain your Divemaster or any Specialty courses if you need.

Be 15 years or older (you must be 18 years old to be certified as a Professional Dive Master).
SSI Advanced Adventurer (or qualifying certification from another training organisation).
SSI Stress and Rescue Diver (or qualifying certification from another training organisation).
SSI Deep Diver, Navigation and Low Visibility/Night Diver certifications . If you need help achieving your specialties then we can help with that too.
A current Primary and Secondary Care (or qualifying first aid and CPR training course completion within the past 24 months.
SSI Dive Master or equivalent
Have at least 60 dives to begin the course and a minimum of 100 for certification.
You will need to obtain a Dive medical completed within the previous 12 months. Click here to download a medical statement form to take to your GP.

Course Inclusions:

All online e-learning materials
Academic sessions and in-water training
Final Exam
Digital e-card
SSI Assistant Instructor Pack
Tanks and air fills for all of your training dives
Shore diving
We recommend that you have your own equipment to train in, but we can provide this for the duration of the course
Student discount on any gear you get from us during your course

Not included

Dive Equipment
Charter Fees
SSI Fees
Other courses

We also have a dive Retail Store and Charter Boat so you’ll get real hands on experience. We can also train you as an Air Filler (additional costs apply) and give you real life experience (on the Charter and in-store) which will give you more experience than most when applying for a job. We can also help you in starting your career in diving. We have a lot of contacts in the industry, are often looking for staff ourselves and know what employers are looking for when hiring Dive Guide and instructors.