PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Course
The PADI Open Water Instructor (OWSI) Program allows dive professionals to continue training to become PADI Instructors or regain status as a PADI Instructor. There are different program options based on three types of candidates:
- PADI Assistant Instructors enroll to complete remaining IDC components in preparation for attending a PADI Instructor Examination (IE).
- Scuba instructors from other recreational diver training organizations enroll to learn about the PADI System of diver education and prepare to attend an IE.
- PADI Instructors who want to regain Teaching Status due to lapse in membership or a required reorientation to PADI Standards (formerly called a Status Update) complete a customized program. PADI Course Directors are directed by the PADI Regional Headquarters to conduct a prescriptive OWSI program based on the instructor candidate’s needs. These instructors may or may not be required to attend an IE to regain their PADI Instructor rating.
The Fun Part
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
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.
What You Learn
During the IDC eLearning you will be introduced to:
- Dive Theory for Dive Leaders
- System Overview
- Learning and Instruction
- Discover Scuba Diving & Experience Programs
- Open Water Diver Course
- Risk Management & Legal Considerations
- Managing Risk
- Quality Management & Licensing
- Introduction to Teaching Presentations
- Conducting and Evaluating Knowledge Development
- Confined Water Training
- Open Water Training
- Continuing Education & Leadership Courses
- Business of Diving
- How to Teach the Recreational Dive Planner
During the IDC Curriculum You Will Learn:
- Dive Theory Workshop
- System's Workshop
- Discover Scuba Diving Workshop
- Open Water Dive Course Scheduling & Setup Workshop
- Knowledge Development Presentation Workshop
- Skill Development Workshop
- Confined Water Training Workshops
- Open Water Training Workshops
- Continuing Education Workshop
- Advanced Open Water Diver Course Workshop
- Rescue Diver Course Workshop
- Sales Techniques Workshop
What You Will Participate In:
- Minimum of 1 Knowledge Development Teaching Presentations
- Minimum of 2 Confined Water Teaching Presentations
- Minimum of 1 Open Water Teaching Presentations
- Demonstrate All 24 Skills
- Minimum of 2 Standards and Procedures Exams
- Minimum of 2 Theory Exams
- 400 Meter/Yard Continuous Swim
- 10 Minute Tread, Drown Proof
- Rescue Exercises Including: Panicked Diver at the Surface, Surfacing An Unresponsive Diver, Unresponsive Diver at the Surface, Egressing, and First Aid/Oxygen Using a Pocket Mask.
What You Can Teach
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors (OWSI) are authorized to teach the following courses: Scuba Diver/Open Water Diver, Adventure Diver/Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, Skin Diver and Discover Snorkeling, Discover Scuba Diving, Seal Team and Bubbemaker programs, ReActivate and Discover Local Diving, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project AWARE and Coral Reef Conservation.
Duration
Candidates complete the independent study through PADI IDC eLearning. As with all PADI programs, considerations, candidate ability and the number of candidates in a course.
If the IDC eLearning is completed prior to the start of the course, then 3 days is all that is needed to complete the curriculum. If eLearning cannot be completed prior to class and must be delivered in person then the length is 5 days.
What Does It Cost?
Prerequisites
To qualify for training as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you must:
- PADI Assistant Instructor, or current instructor member in good standing (eligible to renew) with another recreational diver training organization for at least six months.
- Be at least 18 years old
- 60 logged dives; documented experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation.
- If not a PADI Divemaster, successfully complete the PADI Divemaster course rescue assessment
- Be certified as a diver for at least six months
- Medical clearance attesting to dive fitness signed by a physician within the previous 12 months.
- Have proof of CPR and First Aid training within the last 24 months. The Emergency First Response course meets this requirement.
Exit Requirements for Attending an IE
- 100 logged dives.
- Successfully complete the Instructor Development Course or the OWSI program within the past 12 months.
- Emergency First Response Instructor or CPR/First Aid Instructor with another emergency care organization.
See the IDC component for all required equipment and materials
