PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Course

PADI Assistant Instructors and PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors are counted among the most sought-after scuba diving professionals in the world. They complete the program that sets such high standards for training dive professionals to reach this elite level. To earn a PADI Instructor rating, one needs to put in a lot of hard work and sincere efforts. Ultimately, you get a job that lets you share your amazing underwater adventures with others. Thus, you are able to transform others’ lives positively as well as enrich yours.

If you are interested in joining the ranks of the devoted diving experts who teach the world’s most popular and progressive scuba diver education programs, then pro with the Instructor Development Course (IDC). This course comprises 2 parts– the Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program. Usually, dive professionals complete the entire IDC and go ahead to pursue an Instructor Examination (IE). This is the final step to getting the PADI Instructor certification.

You will be able to earn a PADI Assistant Instructor qualification if you successfully complete the AI course. When an Assistant Instructor progresses, attending the OWSI course allows their entry into an IE. Finally, they can earn a full PADI Instructor rating.

Those diving professionals may be considered eligible to enroll directly in the OWSI program who hold an instructor rating with another diver training organization. With this, the prior instructor training is recognized and the way to become a PADI Instructor is provided to you.

If you are a PADI Divemaster and have been a certified diver for 6 months, then you can enroll in the PADI Instructor Development course. Along with that, you will also require the following:

• A minimum of 60 logged dives and 100 dives to attend an IE
• Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 2 years
• A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 1 year

An Emergency First Response Instructor rating is also required, but you can earn that during the instructor training.

Academic

The IDC teaches you to conduct all PADI core courses over a duration of 5-7 days. With this, you will become an expert in organizing and presenting information, conducting skill development sessions, and controlling open water dives. By becoming a better public speaker, you will be good at demonstrating skills while watching out for student diver safety.

Important topics include the following:

• Risk management and diver safety
• Marketing diving and sales counseling
• Learning, Instruction, and the PADI System
• The business of diving and your role as an instructor
• PADI standards and procedures for courses that can be taught with in-water workshops

One may also earn college credit or the Assistant Instructor course and Instructor Development Course.

Medical requirements

A minimum level of health and fitness is required for scuba diving. In case you are suffering from any chronic health condition, or taking certain medications and/or had surgery recently, you will have to get written approval from a physician before diving. In order to avoid any confusion, you can simply download and review the Diver Medical Form to make sure that you will not require approval from a physician to dive. You should not ask your instructor, dive master, or dive shop staff for medical advice as they are not physicians. Only medical professionals can give medical clearance to dive if you do not have a minimum level of health and fitness. 

Getting started

There is the PADI eLearning option with which one can study independently at their own speed before class. There will be 9 interactive knowledge development sections. Classroom time will be saved when you pre-study online. Thus, you will get more time to actually practice the skills that distinguish you as a PADI Instructor. 

In addition to that, you should also sign up for Dive Theory Online in case you haven’t already completed that or it’s been over 1 year since you went through it. The program summarises dive physics, physiology, skills, equipment and environment, and using the Recreational Dive Planner (RDP). One can get credit for the dive theory exam requirement during IDC by successfully completing dive theory online.

Visit Aqua Nomad, a 5-star PADI center in Havelock Island (now known as Swaraj Dweep officially), to get more details about the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program.

Best places to scuba dive in the Andaman Islands

Scuba diving is one of the most popular water activities in the world. In India, the Andaman Islands are known for having the best diving spots. The Andamans are surrounded by underwater coastal belts, which are home to a dense ecosystem of coral reefs and formations. A good chunk of visitors is attracted to the isles owing to excellent diving opportunities, along with calm and peaceful beaches, as well as delicious seafood.