Best way to become an SSI OW instructor from PADI Rescue diver

[Seta]

Hello,

After much thinking about (years and years...)it I want to become a pro and give it a try..

So far I am PADI Rescue diver certified with around 400 logged dives, I want to become an SSI OW instructor (able to teach up to stress and rescue, right?) and may start a small dive shop in a friends resort (after all this covid19 crisis ends). Do not wish to be reach, just enjoy my live doing what I like.
Why SSI ? I prefer the elearning it offers and I also just became interested in freediving (just took SSI level 1 a week ago) so I may end up taking this route too up to Freediving instructor...who knows

Being new to SSI I am a bit confused, do I really need to take the SSI dive guide, science of diving, Divemaster and dive control specialist before? 4 courses? seems like an overkill to me

Correct me if I am wrong but if I become a PADI Divemaster, which is next step from PADI Rescue Diver I can jump straight to SSI OW instructor course so it seems like the best, fastest, cheapest and straight forward route..at least in my case

Thanks

 

[European]

Buenos dias Seta!

First, try to get the current SSI Standards as there have been some changes in the last three years.

The DCS doesn't exist any more (now: AI) an the preparation for the IE has also changed:

DiveSSI - Scuba Schools International - Home of Scuba

 

[Seta]

Thanks for the link; the bit that I still do no understand is the SSI diveguide/divemaster vs PADI Divemaster, According to that table PADI Divemaster is same as SSI ? So it is not clear to me if I can jump from PADI Divemaster straight to SSI AI

PADI Divemaster>SSI AI>SSI OWI vs SSI Diveguide>SSI Divemaster>SSI AI>SSI OWI saving then one course ...

 

[European]

Proceeding from international (ISO) and European (EN) Norms in this regard it should be quite clear:
ISO 24801-3 and EN 14153-3 'Recreational diving services - Safety related minimum requirements for the training of recreational scuba divers - Part 3' defines 'Diver Level 3 - Dive Leader

see EUF: EUF Certification | Austrian Standards

Competencies of a recreational scuba diver at level 3 "Dive Leader"

Scuba divers at level 3 "Dive Leader" shall be trained to have sufficient knowledge, skill and experience to plan, organise and conduct their dives and lead other recreational scuba divers in open water.

Scuba divers at level 3 "Dive Leader" are qualified to:

• conduct any specialised recreational scuba diving activities for which they have received appropriate training,
• plan and execute emergency procedures appropriate for the diving environment and activities.

If diving and environmental conditions are significantly different from those previously experienced, a scuba diver at level 3 "Dive Leader" requires an appropriate orientation with regard to local environmental conditions.

In order to lead scuba divers on dives which have more demanding operational parameters a scuba diver at level 3 "Dive Leader" shall have appropriate specialised training and experience.​

As far as I know the SSI Dive Guide is certified as such a Dive Leader/Diver Level 3 as well as the PADI Dive Master level (see Diver Equivalency, Where Do You Fit In : Diving : Gozo : Malta).

In case a SSI Dive Guide completes the Science of Diving program in addition (or even before) he will automatically be upgraded to a SSI Dive Master and my than e.g. act as a so called 'certified assistant'.

 

[TravisD]

You're going to have to be affiliated with a shop, regardless, for SSI. I'd recommend you talk to the shop you intend to work with and see what they will do for you. Answer may depend on who they have on-staff already for training, and how interested they are in having another instructor. You'll still have to get the neccessary certs, but they may be willing to do something of a package deal for you.

The current standards state for the ITC that the Candidate pre-reqs are:

• Minimum age: 18 years old.
• Have logged at least 75 open water dives totaling 50 hours or more.

Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
• Enriched Air Nitrox 40

Have the following active status SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:
•Divemaster​

(emphasis mine)

 

[Edward3c]

Proceeding from international (ISO) and European (EN) Norms in this regard it should be quite clear:
ISO 24801-3 and EN 14153-3 'Recreational diving services - Safety related minimum requirements for the training of recreational scuba divers - Part 3' defines 'Diver Level 3 - Dive Leader

see EUF: EUF Certification | Austrian Standards

Competencies of a recreational scuba diver at level 3 "Dive Leader"

Scuba divers at level 3 "Dive Leader" shall be trained to have sufficient knowledge, skill and experience to plan, organise and conduct their dives and lead other recreational scuba divers in open water.

Scuba divers at level 3 "Dive Leader" are qualified to:

• conduct any specialised recreational scuba diving activities for which they have received appropriate training,
• plan and execute emergency procedures appropriate for the diving environment and activities.

If diving and environmental conditions are significantly different from those previously experienced, a scuba diver at level 3 "Dive Leader" requires an appropriate orientation with regard to local environmental conditions.

In order to lead scuba divers on dives which have more demanding operational parameters a scuba diver at level 3 "Dive Leader" shall have appropriate specialised training and experience.​

As far as I know the SSI Dive Guide is certified as such a Dive Leader/Diver Level 3 as well as the PADI Dive Master level (see Diver Equivalency, Where Do You Fit In : Diving : Gozo : Malta).

In case a SSI Dive Guide completes the Science of Diving program in addition (or even before) he will automatically be upgraded to a SSI Dive Master and my than e.g. act as a so called 'certified assistant'.

SSI don't have ISO accreditation, not according to their global website, PADI does.

 

[rick00001967]

as you are only a recreational level padi rescue diver, i believe you would need to complete the ssi pro level dive guide course along with the science of diving to gain your dive master cert. from there you can begin the road to becoming and AI and then OW instr.

 

[diver257a]

SSI don't have ISO accreditation, not according to their global website, PADI does.

The following page on the SSI website states that it does have ISO certification - ABOUT SSI

 

[Edward3c]

The following page on the SSI website states that it does have ISO certification - ABOUT SSI

But why bury the information so it’s difficult to find.

 

[michael-fisch]

AFAIK, SSI is the only organisation tha ties it's teaching plan to a SSI dive shop. Great for the dues paying dive shop, not so good for instructors who
CANNOT teach independanty -

IOW you teach for a SSI dive shop or you don't teach.

Michael