PADI OWSI Course

Course Description

The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) course is a 3-4 day course designed to prepare qualified candidates to become PADI Instructors. This course is scheduled during the last 4 days of our Instructor Development Course (IDC) and is geared towards Assistant Instructors ready to progress towards earning the full PADI Instructor rating. Either the OWSI course or the entire IDC must be completed before attending the PADI Instructor Examination (IE). Scuba instructors certified by other organizations may cross over to PADI by successfully completing the OWSI course and the IE. Combining the Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the OWSI course into a continuous program makes up the entire IDC.

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Course includes training in PADI systems, standards and procedures and additional related topics.

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors are qualified to conduct the entire range of PADI experience programs and PADI courses from Open Water Diver through Divemaster (except for specialties and Emergency First response, which require specific Specialty Diver Instructor and EFR Instructor ratings).

Subsequent to successful completion of the OWSI, to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, the instructor candidate must successfully complete the PADI Instructor Examination (IE). The IE is a PADI conducted examination in which the candidate is evaluated over two days in the following areas:

  • Dive theory
  • Academic teaching
  • Confined-water (pool) teaching and skills demonstration
  • Open-water teaching
  • General diving skills and professionalism

The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Course is conducted over 3-4 days and includes at least 2 open water dives.

Prerequisites

  • PADI Divemaster or other organization’s leadership certification.
  • CPR/First Aid training within 24 months.
  • Certified Diver for at least 6 months.
  • Be fit to dive and submit Medical Statement signed by your physician that is less than one year old.
  • 98 logged dives including experience in deep, night, and navigation diving (OWSI includes 2 open water dives)*
  • 60 logged dives including experience in deep, night, and navigation diving for our Career candidates*
  • Minimum Age: 18 years old.

*Please note that EASE career program candidates attending the IE with less than 100 dives will be required to apply for the PADI Assistant Instructor rating.

  • Post Instructor Examination requirement: Proof of CPR/First Aid Instructor rating

Course Materials

  • IDC Crew Pack
  • Recreational Dive Planner: eRDPml and Table, plus Instructions for Use booklet
  • PADI Adventures in Diving manual
  • PADI Rescue Diver manual
  • PADI Divemaster manual
  • PADI Open Water Diver Manual
  • Logbook
  • PADI Instructor Manual – Paper or Digital version. The paper version is included in the DM crewpack, while the digital version is available for free download by Divemasters on PADI’s website

Course Preparation