PADI Assistant Instructor

Inspire, Assist, and Lead

Step confidently into the world of professional dive education with the PADI Assistant Instructor Course! This dynamic program bridges the gap between Divemaster and Instructor, giving you the tools to start teaching under the guidance of a PADI Instructor.

You’ll learn how to:

Conduct knowledge development sessions
Lead confined water skill reviews
Assist in open water training dives
Support and motivate student divers
Sharpen your own dive and demonstration skills

Through hands-on training and real teaching experience, you’ll build confidence, refine your leadership, and become an invaluable part of any instructional team.

Whether you're on the path to becoming an Open Water Scuba Instructor or simply want to take a more active role in diver training, this course sets the foundation for your next big leap in the dive industry.

Instructor candidates teaching skills in the water during an Instructor Development Course.

About the Assistant Instructor Course

The PADI Assistant Instructor Course is your first step into the world of dive education. This structured, hands-on program prepares you to support PADI Instructors and teach specific portions of PADI courses, all while sharpening your own leadership and communication skills.

Here’s what you’ll experience during the course:

Academic Training

Learn the art and science of dive instruction through classroom sessions covering:

PADI standards and procedures
Teaching and learning theory
The business of diving
Risk management and diver safety

You’ll also brush up on dive theory to ensure you can confidently support students in both academic and in-water settings.

Teaching Presentations

Practice creating and delivering your own classroom and confined water presentations. You’ll learn how to communicate clearly, manage time effectively, and provide constructive feedback—key skills for any successful dive educator.

Skills Assessment

Demonstrate core scuba and rescue skills to instructor-level demonstration quality. This ensures you can model proper technique and maintain control in real teaching environments.

Workshops & Practical Application

Participate in scenario-based workshops focused on risk management, customer service, and classroom-to-open-water course flow. You’ll also gain experience managing real or simulated training sessions alongside an instructor mentor.

Evaluation & Certification

Throughout the course, you’ll be evaluated on your ability to present knowledge, conduct skill sessions, and handle real-world teaching situations. Upon successful completion, you’ll earn the PADI Assistant Instructor certification, allowing you to:

Teach select PADI programs independently
Assist instructors in a wide range of courses
Begin your path toward becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor

This course is a powerful and rewarding step forward—whether you're working toward full instructor certification or simply want to deepen your role as a dive professional.

Independent Study

Screen shot of the PADI Dive Theory eLearning.

Start your journey toward becoming a dive educator on your schedule with PADI’s eLearning platform. The Assistant Instructor eLearning course includes nine interactive knowledge development sections, covering teaching techniques, learning principles, PADI standards, and the responsibilities of a dive professional. Study online at your own pace—anytime, anywhere—and arrive ready to focus on real-world teaching skills during our in-person sessions.

Want a head start?
If you haven’t already completed it (or if it’s been over a year), consider enrolling in PADI Dive Theory Online. This self-paced course is a comprehensive review of:

Dive physics and physiology
Skills and environment
Equipment and the Recreational Dive Planner (RDP)

Successfully completing Dive Theory Online gives you credit for the dive theory exam requirement during your Instructor Development Course (IDC). It's a smart move that can lighten your workload later and reinforce your foundation now.

Assistant Instructor

with me

Independent Study

This is where everything comes together—knowledge, technique, and confidence. Working directly with me, you’ll gain real-world teaching experience and learn how to:

Organize and present engaging dive theory sessions
Conduct confined water skill development
Assist with open water dives while prioritizing student safety
Fine-tune your ability to demonstrate skills clearly and effectively

Along the way, you’ll sharpen your communication, boost your confidence as a public speaker, and learn to manage student divers in a variety of training scenarios.

We’ll also explore key professional topics through hands-on workshops and discussions, including:

PADI Standards and Procedures for the courses you’re qualified to teach
Learning & Instruction within the PADI system
Risk Management and diver safety protocols
The Business of Diving and your evolving role as a dive professional
Marketing Diving and how to support student decision-making through effective sales counseling

You won’t just assist—you’ll lead, inspire, and grow into the educator your future students will trust and remember.

PADI Assistant Instructor

Inspire, Assist, and Lead

About the Assistant Instructor Course

Academic Training

Teaching Presentations

Skills Assessment

Workshops & Practical Application

Evaluation & Certification

Independent Study

Independent Study

Independent Study

with me

Independent Study

Independent Study

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