SSI Instructor Onboarding: How to Become an SSI Instructor from Another Agency

Already a certified dive instructor with another training agency? SSI Instructor Onboarding allows experienced instructors to transition to SSI without completing the entire Instructor Training Course. Here is exactly what the process involves, what you need to complete, and how long it takes.

How Long Does SSI Instructor Onboarding Take?

There are two ways to complete the SSI Instructor Onboarding program, depending on how many candidates are participating.

Option 1: A dedicated 4-day onboarding program

When there are at least four Instructor Onboarding candidates, we can organize a dedicated compact onboarding program over four full days.

Having several candidates is important because the practical sessions require candidates to take different roles during pool and open water presentations. For example, candidates need other divers to act as students and assistants while they demonstrate teaching, skills, rescue scenarios and other practical applications.

With a group of at least four candidates, the required onboarding sessions can be organized efficiently into a four-day program.

After completing the onboarding training, candidates must still attend the SSI Instructor Evaluation (IE). The Instructor Evaluation generally takes 1–2 days, depending on the number of candidates.

Typical total: 4 days of onboarding + 2 days of Instructor Evaluation = 6 days

At Rich Coast Diving, we normally schedule the Instructor Evaluation over two days, so candidates should plan for approximately 6 days in total.

Option 2: Join a full SSI Instructor Training Course

If there is only one Instructor Onboarding candidate, we generally recommend joining one of our regular SSI Instructor Training Courses rather than trying to create a four-day program for a single person.

The reason is simple: the practical teaching and evaluation sessions work much better when there are several instructor candidates participating.

By joining the full ITC, the onboarding candidate has other candidates to work with for pool and open water presentations and can participate in a broader range of the instructor training program.

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  Dive Instructor Course in Costa Rica ITC SSI

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  Dive Instructor Course in Costa Rica ITC SSI

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  Dive Instructor Course in Costa Rica ITC SSI

This also has an important advantage: more time to prepare.

Instead of focusing only on the minimum requirements needed for Instructor Onboarding, the candidate has more time to:

• Refresh diving and teaching skills

• Participate in additional academic sessions

• Practice presentations with other instructor candidates

• Complete additional practical applications

• Become familiar with the SSI educational system

• Receive more feedback from the Instructor Trainers

• Build confidence before the Instructor Evaluation

For this reason, we generally recommend the full ITC route when only one onboarding candidate is available. Although it takes longer, it provides a much more comprehensive preparation for becoming an SSI Instructor.

The SSI teaching methodology and philosophy can be quite different from what instructors may be used to from other training agencies. Becoming a good SSI Instructor is therefore not simply about completing the required sessions; it is also about understanding how SSI approaches teaching and diver education, and gaining enough practical experience to apply that methodology confidently.

Which option is best?

Both routes can lead to the same goal: becoming eligible to attend the SSI Instructor Evaluation.

The 4-day onboarding route is ideal when there is a group of at least four experienced instructors who want to complete the program together.

The full ITC route is our preferred option for an individual candidate because it provides more practice, more feedback and more exposure to the SSI teaching system. The SSI teaching methodology and philosophy can be quite different from what instructors may be used to from other training agencies.

In other words, the four-day program is the compact route, while joining the full ITC gives you more time to prepare and develop as an SSI Instructor.

Want to join or next SSI onboarding program in Costa Rica? Contact us directly at info@richcoastdiving.com