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Hey, are you wanting to become an SSI instructor? if so I would suggest ring up SSI directly (SSI Scuba Schools International: Welcome to SSI! will have the contact number) You'll have to complete a Dive Con course if you haven't already then you go on to an instructor development course. SSI will be able to tell you where the nearest Instructor Certifier to you is.
On a large pile of smokin' A'a, the most isolated population center on the face of the earth. 2,175 miles to Alaska, 2,390 miles to California; 3,850 miles to Japan; 4,900 miles to China; 5,280 miles to the Philippines.
There are many kinds of instructors in many different situations. Where you start out often limits where you can go, so the first questions are why do you want to be an instructor and what sort of instructor do you want to be? Independent, tied to a dive shop, down in the islands, working at a university, what?
I refuse to believe that corporations are people until Texas executes one.
"Too often ... people enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought" - Leapfrog
"They are the McDonalds of diver certification. Quick, inexpensive and tasty. Pardon me for saying so, but I also believe it to be a health hazard." - DCBC
"It truly does boil down to motivation ... if you believe something is hard, or unnecessary to learn, you won't learn it ... even if it's completely within your capability" - Bob (Grateful Diver)
Unless you are closely associated with someone who owns a SSI retail facility and you want to remain closeley associated with a retail facility,,, you might want to look at another training organization. SSI does not really offer much support to instructors, just the dealers,,,, besides, as an instructor your first concern is to certify safe, comfortable, confident divers,, it doesn't really matter at the end of the day which card you hand them,, just make them safe!
The minimum requirements to become a SSI instructor is
2. Prerequisites for the Instructor Training Course include:
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Logged at least 75 open water scuba dives.
• Be certified as a Dive Control Specialist or equivalent.
• Complete a Diver Stress and Rescue course or equivalent.
• Have a current medical exam for scuba diving not older than 1 year signed by a licensed medical practitioner.
There are at least 5 dive shops in Georgia.
As far as Bevonbubbles comment ... one of the reasons that SSI requires instructors to be associated with a dive shop is to keep the quality of the instructors up. (yes there are some bad apples, however they are easier to weed out that way)
With all due respect, having a Dive instructor tied to a shop doesn't keep the quality of the instructor up, it only keeps the cash associated with a retail shop. I have used shop tied instructors as well as independents with great luck. The big difference between them was that the shop tied instructors recommended equipment their shop sold.
scubanut001, I see you have less than 24 dives. The standards quoted are minimum standards, but to be honest you will need much more experience. Take your time and dive first in different locations and conditions. Take advanced courses, then talk to you LDS about becoming a Dive Con. A SSI Dive Con is the equivalent to a PADI Dive Master and Assistant Instructor. You can then work with classes, lead trips, and teach SCUBA refresher. It's a great introductory position as a Professional Diver and will give you the experience working with a variety of different types of divers and build the experience you will need to take the instructor course, if you decide that's what you would like to do.
While there are exceptions, most pressure to cut corners comes from dive shops. The fox is guarding the hen house.
I'm not sure what this would have to do with SSI affiliation. I think what you want to do with your DM/Instructor affiliation would determine if this type of relationship with an LDS is to your advantage or disadvantage. For me, the advantages are huge.
It can be an advantage,,, as long as your husband never gets transferred to a different location,, then your certification gets "in-activated",, thousands of dollars in training fees and equipment lost,,, at least working with an agency that does not constrain the instructor to staying with a LDS, you at least have some control over your career.
Choose wisely before you sign,,,, as with anything.
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Originally Posted by Ray Brienza
