Become an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor
What You Will Learn During the SDI IDC
Professional Standards
Understand SDI standards, procedures, documentation and professional responsibilities.
Teaching Methodology
Learn how to prepare and deliver effective academic presentations.
Confined-Water Instruction
Develop the ability to teach and evaluate scuba skills in a controlled environment.
Open-Water Instruction
Learn to plan, supervise and conduct safe and effective open-water training.
Student Management
Develop the ability to identify student needs, manage problems and adapt your teaching.
Dive Planning & Risk Management
Learn how to plan training dives and manage the risks associated with student diving.
Demonstration-Quality Skills
Develop the ability to demonstrate scuba skills clearly and effectively.
Instructor Professionalism
Develop the communication, preparation and organisational skills from a professional SDI instructor.
SDI operates on an on-demand evaluation model — no fixed exam calendar to work around. Once you complete the IDC content, the IEC is scheduled around your timeline. Instructor fees are substantially lower than most PADI equivalents, which makes SDI the practical route for candidates anywhere in the world.
Every SDI-certified instructor is globally recognised — resorts, liveaboards, and dive centres worldwide accept the credential.
Place your Pro. eLearning order
Professional eLearning
The academic component is available as online eLearning, so you can complete theory modules before you arrive.
Ask Freddy for access details when you confirm your place.
Course prerequisites
- Minimum age 18
- Current Divemaster or Assistant Instructor certification (any major agency)
- At least 100 logged dives
- Certified diver for a minimum of 6 months
- Current CPR, first aid, and oxygen provider certification
Already certified with PADI, SSI, or another agency?Ask Freddy about options.
Instructor Development Course
The IDC is the training and preparation phase. Candidates develop their knowledge, teaching methodology, presentation skills and in-water instructional abilities.
The SDI Instructor course is specifically designed for current divemasters or assistant instructors, providing them with the necessary skills to operate safely as open water scuba instructors. This comprehensive program is divided into two components: the Instructor Development Course (IDC) and the Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC). IDC spans approximately two weeks and focuses on teaching participants how to effectively present skills in confined water prior to validating them in open water, as well as how to conduct academic classes on various subjects. Upon successful completion of the IEC, participants will be qualified to teach up to the divemaster level, covering extensive material.
Courses Details IDC
Pro. ELearning: 1
Required Skill Performance for IDC:
The student must:
4 classroom presentations
4 lessons in confined water.
4 lessons in open water.
Preparation, planning, and control in:
a. Dive management.
b. Diving activities.
Perform one complete rescue scenario.
Pool/ confined water:
Demonstration level quality, while neutrally buoyant, all skills listed in the SDI Open Water
Pool/confined water problem-solving.
Open Water
Demonstration level quality, while neutrally
buoyant, all skills listed in the SDI Open Water Open water problem solving.
Instructor Evaluation Courses
The IEC is the evaluation phase. Candidates demonstrate their ability to teach and perform at instructor level under evaluation by an appropriately qualified SDI Instructor Trainer.
The IEC is aligned with the IDC and incorporates an evaluation by an Instructor Trainer, who will assess both your academic knowledge and practical skills in aquatic settings. Participants are required to deliver a course lesson in both confined- and open-water environments. This component of the program will be completed in several days.
Required Skill Performance for IEC:
The student must:
Present a minimum of:
One classroom presentation, mini time 15 minutes
One full lesson in confined water.
One full lesson in open water.
What can an SDI Instructor teach?
What Can You Teach After Becoming an SDI Instructor?
According to SDI's current published information, successful SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructors may teach the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, Advanced Adventure Diver, Computer Diver, Rescue Diver, Divemaster and other courses permitted by their qualifications.
Training With Freddy
Becoming an instructor is not simply about learning how to present a course.
You are learning how to teach people.
My objective during an instructor development programme is to help candidates understand the reasons behind the standards and procedures, develop strong teaching habits and learn how to make good decisions in real diving situations.
I encourage candidates to think independently, communicate clearly and understand the responsibility that comes with becoming a professional scuba diving instructor.
The goal is not to create instructors who simply copy what they have been shown. The goal is to develop instructors who understand what they are teaching and why.