Learn to teach others to scuba!

Are you looking to do something others can only dream of? To help people transform their lives? To open doors you didn’t even know existed? All of this, and more, awaits you as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

The Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program is one of two distinct components of PADI's Instructor Development Course (IDC)—the core of PADI Instructor training. The first portion is the Assistant Instructor course followed by the Open Water Scuba Instructor program.

The OWSI program is a minimum of four days. It introduces you to the entire PADI System of diver education and concentrates on further developing your abilities as a professional dive educator.

What you learn:

You’ll learn how to apply the PADI System of Education by presenting at least

• Two confined water teaching presentations
• Two knowledge development presentations
• One open water teaching presentations integrating two skills

You will also attend and participate in the following 14 curriculum presentations:

• Course Orientation
• Dive Industry Overview
• General Standards and Procedures
• The Role of Media and Prescriptive Teaching
• Legal Responsibility and Risk Management
• PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver Course
• Adaptive Teaching
• The PADI Continuing Education Philosophy
• Business Principles for the Dive Instructor
• Adventures in Diving Program
• Specialty Diver Courses and Master Scuba Diver Program
• Rescue Diver Course
• Divemaster Course
• Diver Retention Programs
• How to Teach the RDP (Instructors from recreational diver training organizations other than PADI must complete.)

You will demonstrate competence at

• performing all 20 dive skills listed on the Skill Evaluation.
• performing a facedown, nonstop swim for 800 metres/yards using a mask, snorkel and fins.

During the course you’ll need to demonstrate competency in Dive theory by passing a five-part theory exam scoring 75% on each part.

What you will be able to teach:

After becoming an Open Water Scuba Instructor, you will be able to conduct the entire range of PADI programs from Discover Scuba Diving up to Divemaster. You may also choose to acquire specialty instructor ratings in areas of interest, such as Digital Underwater Photographer or Enriched Air Diver.

At a glance, compare what you can teach when you continue your professional diver education.

It’s about life transformations—both yours and those around you.

The fun part of instructor training is interacting with course participants while creating friendships that continue long after the course concludes.

You’ll begin networking with other professionals and begin to explore PADI Pro Diving Jobs worldwide. You’ll also have the opportunity to continue your professional education by participating in specialty instructor courses, which train you to teach specialties after instructor certification.

The challenging part of this course is your personal commitment to the training. The course requires you to complete all the self-study Knowledge Reviews before the course begins and to prepare daily assignments for teaching presentations. Organisation and dedication are key.

How to sign up:

• Call the shop to discuss dates and pay for the course 916-365-2410 or sign up online, using the link below.  (This secures your spot, covers the Course Director's fees, Pool Fees, Elearning-accessible forever, Classroom Time, Crewpack (Instructor cue cards for PADI’s core courses (Open Water and Advanced, Rescue and Divemaster), Instructor Development Course Candidate Workbook and related reference materials, Lesson planning slates for confined and open water, Quiz and exam booklets for the core courses, Specialty outlines for Project AWARE, PADI Instructor Manual), Tanks, Weights, Air Fills, Discounted Rental Gear, Scuba Related Equipment Discounts, Dive Theory eLearning, Custom tailored schedules ) *Additional fees: makeup sessions
• This course requires eLearning, hands on classroom, pool and open water sessions.
• You will pay PADI directly $700*, and take the PADI Instructor Exam with PADI Examiners *prices subject to change
• eLearning will be sent out from PADI after the course is paid for. Legal paperwork will come through email. eLearning has been shown to have up to a 21% higher retention rate for students. Complete this in your own time, anytime before the dives.
• Other Supplies you need: all the basic scuba equipment and some scuba accessories such as a dive slate, dive knife, compass, dive watch, etc. It is highly recommended that you own all of your own scuba equipment, as familiarity with personal gear improves general scuba diving skills.

Prerequisites:

• Be certified as a PADI Divemaster or a PADI Assistant Instructor or be an instructor in good standing with another training organisation for at least six months (check with a PADI Course Director or Contact Us for qualifying credentials.)
• Be certified as an Emergency First Response Instructor
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be certified as a diver for at least six months
• Have 60 logged dives that include experience in night, deep and navigation diving to participate in the Instructor Development Course. You’ll need 100 logged dives to take the Instructor Exams
• Have proof of CPR and First Aid training within the last 24 months. The Emergency First Response course meets this requirement
• Be fit for diving and submit a Medical Statement (PDF) signed by a physician within the last 12 months