SDI Instructor Development Course (IDC) and Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC) at ITI Technical Training, SDI World HQ in Florida

It is time to take your scuba diving career to the next level. It does not matter where you choose to teach – the world’s most incredible wrecks, the deepest of caves, your local public safety dive team or the warmth of the South Pacific, there is always a starting point. You are here for a reason….you are here because you are ready to take the first step.

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Congratulations and welcome to the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor Program.

Why train with ITI Technical Training?

ITI Technical Training operates in conjunction with World Headquarters for SDI/TDI/ERDI, and you will be training with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable Instructor Trainers (ITs) in the industry.  The training staff at ITI Technical Training lived the life you are looking for as a dive professional and continue to do so.  We can provide you with the tools, knowledge, and experience to get you where you want to be.  There is nowhere else that you can have direct access to Instructor Trainers who have worked as dive center owners/managers, charter boat captains, live aboard captains and staff, professional photographers, and technical diving instructors who work every day to influence and advance the dive industry as a whole.  Training with ITI Technical Training will provide you with direct access to training facilities around the world that are looking for dedicated and hard working SDI Instructors to start working as soon as possible!

  • When: Program dates TBD based on demand, contact training@tdisdi.com for more information.
  • Where: ITI Technical Training in Jensen Beach, Florida
  • Cost:
    • Tuition: $2500
    • Internship fees: $885
    • Instructor Registration Fees: $165
    • Materials: $445
    • Total = $3995
  • Description: The SDI Instructor Development Course (IDC) and Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC) will teach current Divemasters or Assistants Instructors the knowledge to safely function as an SDI Instructor with the abilities to teach SDI Open Water Scuba Divers, Advanced Adventure Divers, Rescue Divers, Divemasters and Assistant Instructors. Paired with a unique internship program, this IDC/IEC will truly prepare Instructor Candidates for a successful career in the dive industry.
  • Course Prerequisites:
    • Verification of minimum age: 18
    • Provide verification of being a certified diver for a minimum of 6 months
    • Provide proof of 100 logged dives in a number of different environments with varying depths
    • Provide proof of being a certified SDI Divemaster, SDI Assistant Instructor, or equivalent
    • Provide proof of current CPR, first aid and oxygen provider
    • Submit the SDI Medical Statement Form signed by a licensed physician

What to Expect:

The SDI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is demanding and designed to be a challenging yet enjoyable experience.  The ITI Technical Training staff is dedicated to creating a positive learning environment that is designed to help you succeed.  Our vast experience with training divers, instructors, and even instructor trainers helps us build a program that caters to a wide range of learning styles to train you how to be the best instructor you can be.

The ITI Technical Training IDC programs are designed to be condensed and fast paced programs.  Candidates must be prepared and have experience as a Divemaster or Assistant Instructor to thoroughly enjoy this compressed training program.

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Also available are our unique internship programs that allow you to get hands-on training with the best in the field.  Learn about advanced techniques from experienced trainers on structuring the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course, retail operations, dive boating procedures, along with equipment maintenance and repair, but more importantly, learn to promote the sport through enthusiasm and passion.

Being a dive professional is more than just instruction.  The SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor Internship experience program is one of the most unique programs currently available in the scuba industry.  The program is designed to prepare new instructors for the world of dive retail, customer service, scuba repair/maintenance, and additional practice side-by-side an experienced instructor trainer on structuring the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course.  This added value gives the instructor the knowledge and experience on the administrative side of working at a dive center or resort.  The program is custom tailored to fit the needs of each student entering the program making it one of the most sought after programs in the field.

The SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor program components are taught in conjunction with the student receiving hands on internship hours in a dive center setting.  This program has taken the traditional aspect of professional scuba instruction and blended it with dive center experience covering point of sale techniques, up selling strategies and customer service skills, basic boat operations, and maintenance of equipment and compressors as well as other equipment that is essential to running a dive operation that will make the graduate an invaluable asset to any dive center.

Retail Operations (2 days)

Retails operations are essential to the diving industry.  Instructors must not only be good teachers, they must also have the ability and confidence to sell beyond just dive training.  We want to sell a passion, not just a class with mask, fins and snorkel.  We want to encourage divers to stay active and go on trips and find the continuing education that suits their interests.  The most important component to success in retail is getting your customer to return to the store.  Dive center staff, including instructors, have to be able to promote diving as a lifestyle.  Show the added values of continuing education, buying the proper gear and gaining dive experience on trips to new and places.

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Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements

  1. Work the floor of a retail facility and learn about product placement.
  2. Deal with inventory issues and placing orders with vendors.
  3. Talk to potential new divers about the advantages of scuba diving – sell the lifestyle.
  4. Learn about scuba travel and how it is profitable to dive centers.
  5. Guide customers through the showroom floor explaining the differences and advantages of various equipment products and gear – up sell.
  6. Interact with customers and learn how to listen. Find out what their interests are and find what is right for them in continuing education.
  7. types of BCD’s, regulators, and dive computers with key selling points.
  8. Learn basic equipment repairs commonly used while teaching or leading divers.

Open Water Training Experience (2 days)

One the biggest advantages in co-teaching any course, is what you learn as a professional by working with another experienced professional.  There are so many teaching styles that it sometimes takes a while to develop your own.  Working with experienced SDI Open Water Instructors allows you to see firsthand from an instructor’s point of view teaching techniques that may enhance your own teaching style.  Learn common obstacles in pre planning an SDI open water course so you are ready for anything once you start teaching on your own.  A lot of work can be invested in these courses, watch how people that have been doing this for years have got their own system and rhythm down packed – it may be some of the most valuable instruction you may get!

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Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements

  1. Setting schedule for SDI Open Water Scuba Diver class
  2. Organizing class, pool or confined water, and open water training site logistics.
  3. Organize all equipment requirements for the class.
  4. Taking students through student folders and helping with classroom academics.
  5. Executing all pool or confined open water skills to demonstration quality for students.
  6. Give dive briefing for open water dives.
  7. Assist in control of students in open water environment.
  8. Complete paperwork and register students after class complete.

boat-bonaire003Basic Boat Operations (2 days)

Instructors may often find themselves working on a live aboard or day charters.  With the SDI Open Water Instructor Experience Internship program, new instructors will be able to learn the proper etiquette and safety measure while teaching or dive mastering from a boat.  An additional option for candidates would be the ability to enroll at Chapman’s school of Seamanship with the opportunity of earning your captain’s license.  Not only would this be an amazing experience but it also increases your offerings as a potential employee to not only dive centers but to live-a-boards, equipment manufacturers and training agencies alike.

Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements

  1. Learn proper boat handling etiquette according to local practices and regulations.
  2. Learn dive vessel safety procedures.
  3. Learn how to pre plan and execute a boat trip.
  4. Learn dive guiding skills.

Equipment Service and Maintenance (1 day)

Learn first-hand how to look for potential equipment issues that may cause failure and end a dive for your future customers.

Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements

  1. Complete equipment specialty course with a qualified SDI or TDI Instructor.
  2. Learn the different types of masks, snorkels and fins with key selling points.
  3. Learn general repairs and maintenance of various types of exposure suits, BCDs, regulators, and other accessories.

Sample Schedule:

The Instructor Development Course and Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC) will be eight full days to meet the required minimum hours and skill requirements, followed by an additional 7 days to complete the internship.  The schedule is often adjusted throughout the program to meet the needs of the instructor candidates, but a sample schedule is listed below for reference:

Day One:

8-9:45 am Welcome

Introductions

Course Overview

Paperwork

9:45-10:00 am Break

10:00 am-1:00 pm the SDI Instructor

1:00 2:00 pm Lunch

2:00-5:00 pm Teaching Physics

5:00-5:30 pm Daily Wrap-up

Assignments

Day Two:

8:00 am-12:00 pm Pool / Confined Water Session

Swim Evaluation

Scuba Skills Evaluation

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch

1:00-5:00 pm Teaching Physiology

5:00-5:30 pm Daily Wrap-up

Assignments

Day Three:

8:00-10:30 am Dive Leader Risk Management

10:30-10:45 am Break

10:45 am-1:00 pm Methods of Instruction

1:00-2:00 pm Lunch

2:00-5:00 pm Courses an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor

Can Teach

Scuba Discovery

Inactive Diver/Refresher

Advanced Adventure Diver

5:00-5:30 pm Daily Wrap-up

Assignments

Day Four:

8:00 am-12:00 pm How to Teach the Open Water Scuba Diver Program

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch

1:00-3:00 pm How to Teach the Open Water Scuba Diver Program

3:00-3:15 pm Break

3:15-5:15 pm Academic Presentation

5:15-5:45 pm Daily Wrap-up

Assignments

Day Five:

8:00 am-12:00 pm Pool/Confined Water

Presentations

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch

1:00-3:00 pm Teaching the Rescue Diver Course

3:00-5:00 pm Academic Presentation

5:00-5:30 pm Daily Wrap-up

Assignments

Day Six:

8:00 am-5:00 pm Open Water Session

Skill Evaluation

Presentations

5:00-5:30 pm Daily Wrap-up

Assignments

Day Seven:

8:00 am-12:00 pm How to Teach the Divemaster and Assistant

Instructor Programs

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch

1:00-3:00 pm Business of Diving

3:00-3:15 pm Break

3:15-5:30 pm Academic presentation

5:00-6:00 pm Daily Wrap-up

Assignments

Day Eight:  Instructor Evaluation Course, IEC

8:00 am-12:00 pm Written Test

Academic Presentation

Pool / Confined Water Presentation

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch

1:00-4:00 pm Open Water Presentation

4:00-6:00 pm Final Candidate Evaluation

Day Nine:  Retail Sales

Day Ten:  Retail Sales

Day Eleven: Open Water Training Experience

Day Twelve: Open Water Training Experience

Day Thirteen:  Basic Boat Operations

Day Fourteen: Basic Boat Operations

Day Fifteen: Equipment Service and Maintenance

Equipment Needed:

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Item

Brief Description
1 Mask A dive mask creates an air space between your eyes and the surrounding water. It allows your eyes to focus while underwater.  It also has a nose pocket which allows the diver to equalize the airspace in the mask by exhaling into it.
1 Pair of fins Fins help propel your body through the water. They make swimming far more efficient by increasing the surface area of the feet.
1 Snorkel A snorkel allows a swimmer to breathe on the surface while their face is in the water.
1 Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD) with low pressure inflator A buoyancy compensator device, or BCD, is used to establish positive and neutral buoyancy.  BCDs have four main components – harness, bladder (or air cell), inflator/deflator mechanism and low pressure inflator hose. Essentially, the BCD is a jacket that holds the scuba cylinder to your back and allows you to add or vent air.
1 Regulator with submersible pressure gauge The air in a scuba cylinder is compressed at a high pressure. The function of a regulator is to deliver air to the diver at ambient pressure. The instrument that measures air pressure from a scuba cylinder is called the submersible pressure gauge, or SPG.
1 Alternate Air Source The backup second stage is called the alternate air source, or octopus. The octopus should be brightly colored and attached by a clip in the upper region of the torso so that it’s easy to locate in an emergency.
1 Weight System Lead weights are worn as ballast to counteract the positive buoyancy of the exposure suit and the diver’s natural buoyancy. There are two different types of weight systems that can be used by the diver: a weight belt and a weight-integrated BCD.
1 Personal Dive Computer (PDC) Personal Dive computers automatically calculate your body’s theoretical nitrogen absorption by keeping track of dive time and depth throughout a dive.
1 Exposure Suit Adequate for training conditions Wearing an exposure suit, be it a wet suit, skin or dry suit, decreases heat loss underwater. Exposure suits also help prevent abrasions and accidental brushes with marine life.
1 Compressed Gas Cylinder A scuba cylinder is a high-pressure tank that contains compressed air for breathing.
1 Compass A submersible compass is a navigational aid that a diver uses to determine his or her direction in relation to magnetic north.
1 Knife or Cutting Device A dive knife can be a useful tool to cut, pry and even dig. It is most often needed to cut away fishing line or kelp that may entangle a diver or his gear underwater.
1 Rescue Signal A bright yellow or red inflatable device such as a narrow tube or lift bag are good signaling devices.
1 Dive Flag (if required by dive site) There are two types of dive flags: the diver-down and the international alpha flag. The international flag is a rigid replica of the white and blue alpha flag and must be flown from a dive boat in international waters. The diver-down flag is a rectangular red flag with a white diagonal stripe from the top left to the bottom right. The diver-down flag is the most widely recognized signal and should be flown during all in-water activities.

Take the next step and sign up today to become an SDI Open Water Instructor.  Contact ITI Technical Training now and find out how you can turn your life and scuba diving into a new and exciting career opportunity here, there or any location that may include palm trees, white sand and blue waters.

See you in the water…

Contact SDI Training Department

to reserve your spot in the next SDI Instructor Course at World Headquarters.

+1.888.778.9073