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crossover program for freediving instructor

Get ready for an immersive 12-day journey that reshapes divers into educators, thinkers, and leaders. The SSI Assistant Instructor (AITC) and Instructor Training Course (ITC) are designed not just to meet standards—but to elevate how you see, teach, and inspire underwater. Under the mentorship of Instructor Certifier Vincent Lai, this course blends structure, creativity, and purpose. Vincent’s signature approach—refined through years of instructor development and educational design—guides each candidate to find their teaching voice, master real-world problem solving, and balance professionalism with personality. Expect mentorship that’s equal parts technical precision and human understanding. The program begins with the Assistant Instructor phase, developing your foundation in teaching systems and active learning. It then evolves into the Instructor Training Course, where mastery, safety, and delivery meet personal expression. Following the 12 days of training, candidates will proceed to a separate 2-day Instructor Evaluation (IE) event, where your transformation is showcased and certified. Join us for an experience that’s not just about earning the title Instructor—but becoming the kind of educator divers remember long after the course ends.

Developing the Next Layer of Instructor Leadership Conducted by Vincent Lai Becoming an Assistant Instructor Trainer isn’t about teaching more — it’s about understanding how instructors are built, evaluated, supported, and guided within the Scuba Schools International Education System. This SSI AIT program, conducted under Vincent Lai, is designed for experienced instructors who are ready to step into a trainer-adjacent role — mentoring instructor candidates, supporting ITCs, and contributing to professional-level teaching quality.

Do you dream of a career in an exciting destination? Join the growing ranks of SSI professionals who are spreading the adventurous, exciting freediving lifestyle as an SSI Freediving Instructor. SSI freediving instructors are the industry’s best freediving trainers, utilizing innovative training techniques to introduce underwater enthusiasts to the world of breath-hold diving. As a certified SSI Freediving Instructor, you will introduce new divers to basic breath-hold exercises by teaching all entry-level programs and the SSI Free Immersion and Training Techniques specialties.

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to: • Conduct academic sessions • Lead confined water training • Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more • Develop student management and communication skills Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more. Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to start your lifelong adventure as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training combined with underwater practice ensures that you have the necessary skills and experience to truly adapt to the underwater environment. You will receive your SSI Open Water Diver certificate.

The Divemaster program is the first step on an exciting journey. Earn the respect of your dive buddies and become an ambassador for diving by taking the Divemaster program. All you need to get started are 40 verified/logged dives and certifications in Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility or at least 5 logged/verified dives experience in each area plus Diver Stress & Rescue. You will be certified as a Dive Guide after successfully completing the Divemaster program. When your interest is to turn your passion into a profession by guiding certified divers, teaching Ecology programs, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself, your next step is the Divemaster Upgrade with a minimum of 60 logged/verified. Upgrade to Divemaster right away or any time after by self-studying the Science of Diving materials, passing the Digital Final Exam which makes you an SSI Professional.

In this specialization course, you will gain the advanced skills and knowledge needed to navigate underwater safely and confidently. You will learn how to use the compass and nature navigation techniques, estimate distances, how to leave and return to a designated place, and basic navigation patterns. You'll also learn how to incorporate navigation techniques to enhance your diving experience. All of this will hone your underwater observation skills, improve your dive safety, and help you get the most out of each dive. Upon completion of the course, you will receive the SSI Navigation Specialty certification.

The SSI Perfect Buoyancy specialty is the best way to improve your buoyancy and get the most from every dive. Buoyancy is an essential dive skill, but any diver will tell you it takes time to perfect. The Perfect Buoyancy specialty will teach you advanced buoyancy skills and techniques, so you can master your buoyancy more quickly and enjoy more relaxed dive adventures. In this fascinating program, you will also learn new skills that protect the environment and work in every diving situation. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Perfect Buoyancy Specialty certification. With better buoyancy skills, you will soon be able to hover with ease and take the underwater photographs you dream of!