Assistant Instructor

If you have ever thought about taking your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, PADI Enriched Air Diver course, or PADI Rescue Diver course this video gives you an idea of what you can expect. These courses will help you achieve the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating!

Who should try this experience?

If you like people, have a passion for scuba diving and want an extraordinary life – become a PADI Instructor. Teaching scuba diving allows you to share your love of the aquatic world with others while doing what you enjoy – being in, around and under water. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors and PADI Assistant Instructors are the most sought-after dive professionals around the world because they’ve completed the program that sets the standard for training dive professionals. You earn a PADI Instructor rating through hard work and commitment, but you’re rewarded with a job that lets you share incredible underwater adventures with others – transforming their lives for the better and enriching yours.

Are you ready to join the ranks of the dedicated professionals who teach the world’s most progressive and popular scuba diver education programs? Then Go PRO^SM with an Instructor Development Course.

The Instructor Development Course (IDC) is made up of two parts – the Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program. Most dive professionals complete the entire IDC and go on to attend an Instructor Examination (IE), which is the final step to earn a PADI Instructor certification.

Successfully completing just the AI course results in a PADI Assistant Instructor qualification. When an AI is ready to progress, attending an OWSI program allows entry into an IE to earn a full PADI Instructor rating.

Dive professionals who hold an instructor rating with another diver training organization may be eligible to enroll directly in the OWSI program. This recognizes prior instructor training and provides a path to become a PADI Instructor.

A PADI Divemaster who has been a certified diver for six months may enroll in the PADI Instructor Development Course. You also need:

At least 60 logged dives and 100 dives to attend an IE.
Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.
A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months

You also need to be an Emergency First Response Instructor, but you can earn this rating during your instructor training.

What will you learn?

Over a minimum of five days, but usually more like seven, the IDC teaches you to conduct all PADI core courses. You’ll be able to organize and present information, conduct skill development sessions and control open water dives. Basically, you become a better public speaker and get really good at demonstrating skills while watching out for student diver safety. Key topics include:

PADI Standards and Procedures for courses you can teach with in water workshops
Learning, Instruction and the PADI System
Risk Management and Diver Safety
The Business of Diving and your role as an instructor
Marketing Diving and Sales Counseling

You may be able to get college credit or the Assistant Instructor course and Instructor Development Course.

How can you start learning now?

Contact A-1 Scuba Diving to sign up for a Discover Scuba Diving program and get a Discover Scuba Diving Participant Guide. Your Participant Guide explains the experience and lets you pre-study the safety rules and skill techniques your dive professional will review with you. You’ll also learn about opportunities to become part of the scuba community after you complete your underwater experience.

What scuba gear will you use?

You’ll use your basic scuba equipment and will need a pocket mask to practice in-water resuscitation. During exercises, you’ll work with an oxygen unit, floats, marker buoys and perhaps CPR mannequins. Your PADI Instructor will explain the equipment that you need and may suggest additional gear, such as your own first aid kit, which will be useful throughout your diving career.

Visit A-1 Scuba Diving And Snorkeling Adventures to get advice about everything you need for your diving adventures.

Next Step

Breathing underwater for the first time is something you’ll never forget, so don’t wait.

Sign up for Open Water Diver Online and start learning right away.
Enroll in a PADI Open Water Diver course at A-1 Scuba Diving And Snorkeling Adventures.
Try scuba diving with the Discover Scuba Diving program.
Download a Medical Statement and Questionnaire (pdf).
Browse the scuba certification FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).

Check Out Our Reviews!

Google Rating

4.9

A-1 Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Adventures

4.9

David Goodwin

10:24 22 Apr 17

I have been certified to dive since 1994 and over the years I have been to Scuba shops all over the country. Imagine my surprise when my favorite store happens to be local to me. I found them when I wanted to get Nitrox certified and I have been going back ever since. This is the type of place where you are not just a number but everyone feels like family. This is the way dive shops should be, not just a place of business but a community. I would recommend A-1 to everyone.

Rick Fisher

15:21 15 Nov 14

Just completed dry suit certification at A1 Scuba with my son. Alan and all the staff did a great job teaching both the course and passing along their experience. Dives where packed with information and support from the great dive staff, plus a ton of fun. Highly recommend for any training needs. Can’t wait for our next class in the spring. Also purchased all our gear from A1. They have a great selection, and worked with us to find the right gear at a good price. Have looked at other local dive shops, but nobody does a better job getting to know us and finding the equipment to meet our needs and budget. Great local dive shop.

Mike Shaffer

01:15 17 Nov 14

Anyone who is looking for diving equipment or a place to be certified, need look no further than A-1 Diving. The owner Alan is a true diving pro as well as the rest of the staff. They really know their stuff and love telling you about various dive excursions whenever they have a chance. Also great for world class dive vacations especially North Carolina with the sharks and wrecks. They stock the best equipment. A-1 really works with you to make it one of the best experiences ever.

David Basara

17:17 17 Dec 14

The lessons offered were easy to understand, and the mentors were very kind. As an individual that has been afraid of water for a good portion of my life, I got my confidence back to start diving again. I have some excellent photos from my dives and the memories I made will be with me forever. Pumped up for the diving trip in '15! get your reservations NOW!!!

Robert nope

02:44 08 Jun 18

Great place for shopping or instruction

Jennifer Mayfield

13:16 08 Jun 18

Friendly helpful staff. Highly recommend

Sean Flynn

19:22 11 Jun 18

Great people, extremely knowledgeable. Wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Kevin Zuech

20:05 12 Jun 18

They were great, knowledge and willing to work around my busy schedule. They still invite me to join them on trips to utilize my cert. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to get into diving.

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Want To Learn More?

Have more questions about how to become a certified diver or how to expand your current underwater skills? Contact Us Today!

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I’ve been diving and teaching at A-1 since 2007. We are like a second family, and some of my best friends have come from this group. Come for the diving, stay for the people.

AJ Bubb