Intake Open · Starts 28 March 2026

Become an SSI
Open Water Instructor.

Name: SSI Open Water Instructor Training Course, Weekend Format
Price: 1550 EUR

Train around your schedule. This intake runs over six weekends, leaving your working week untouched. Maximum 12 candidates. Led by Lee Smallwood Cassar, SSI Instructor Trainer.

28–29 Mar 4–5 Apr 11–12 Apr 18–19 Apr 2–3 May 23–24 May

Apply via WhatsApp View Schedule

Weekend ITC: 2026 Intake

^€1,550

Course fee · Specialties add-on +€700 · IE from +€550

Course fee includes

✓All SSI digital teaching materials

✓Knowledge development sessions

✓Confined water instructor skill circuits

✓Open water teaching evaluations

✓Enriched Air Nitrox instructor rating

✓Perfect Buoyancy instructor rating

✓First Aid and CPR instructor rating

✓IE preparation and mock evaluations

+ 5 specialty instructor ratings: add-on +€700

Reserve Your Place

Questions? WhatsApp us directly

Weekend Schedule

Six weekends.
Full certification.

Each weekend covers a distinct module. Theory sessions run Saturday mornings. Confined water and open water skills run the afternoons and Sunday. All pool and open water sessions are at diveshack's regular Cirkewwa and Sliema sites.

Weekend 1

28–29 Mar Next

Pre-assessment

SSI ITC Pre-assessment

Skills workshop: confined water skills circuit against ITC entry standards
Open water skills review and pre-assessment evaluation
Pre-assessment written exams: SSI system and teaching standards
Knowledge development pre-assessment: presentation techniques review
Candidate briefing, course overview and individual skills feedback

Weekend 2 4–5 Apr

Confined Water

Confined Water Instructor Skills

Skill circuit instruction: OW skills 1 to 24
Student management in confined water
Equipment setup and pre-dive checks
Correction techniques and student feedback
Scenario-based skill teaching practice

Weekend 3 11–12 Apr

Open Water

Open Water Teaching Skills

Dive site briefings and student supervision
OW skill demonstrations and corrections
Dive planning with student groups
Emergency procedures and rescue protocols
Post-dive debriefs and student evaluation

Weekend 4 18–19 Apr

Specialty

Specialty Instructor Ratings

Enriched Air Nitrox instructor certification (included)
Perfect Buoyancy instructor certification (included)
Deep Diver specialty instructor certification (add-on)
Wreck Diver specialty instructor certification (add-on)
Night Diver specialty instructor certification (add-on)

Weekend 5 2–3 May

Rescue + First Aid

Stress, Rescue and First Aid Instructor

Stress recognition and management instruction
Rescue skill teaching and scenario facilitation
First Aid instructor certification (EFR/SSI)
CPR and oxygen administration instructor rating
Student assessment and course completion records

Weekend 6 23–24 May

IE Preparation

Mock Evaluations and IE Readiness

Full mock Instructor Evaluation (theory + skills)
Exam technique and knowledge review
Presentation polish: classroom and poolside
IE registration and booking guidance
Post-ITC pathway: your first students

Dates avoided: 25 April (public holiday), 9 May and 16 May. The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is a separate 2-day event run by the SSI Regional Office, typically within 60 days of course completion. IE registration and costs are arranged directly with SSI.

Entry Requirements

You need to meet
all of these.

The ITC is a professional qualification. Every candidate must meet all prerequisites before the first weekend. If you are unsure about any requirement, contact us before applying.

18+

Minimum age 18

You must be 18 years or older on or before the first weekend, 28 March 2026.

Divemaster or equivalent

SSI Divemaster, PADI Divemaster, BSAC Advanced Diver, or a recognised agency-equivalent leadership certification. Candidates from other agencies are welcome.

100

Minimum 100 logged dives

Dives must be recorded in a logbook. A spread across different conditions, depths and environments strengthens your application.

Rescue Diver certification

SSI Stress and Rescue Diver, PADI Rescue Diver, or equivalent from any recognised agency. Must be current.

First Aid and CPR, valid within 2 years

SSI First Aid, EFR, or equivalent. Must not have expired by the course start date. Renewal available at diveshack before the intake begins.

Medical clearance

A signed dive medical from a recognised dive medicine physician, dated within 12 months. Required before confined water sessions begin.

Agency crossover candidates welcome. If you hold a Divemaster or leadership certification from PADI, BSAC, NAUI, CMAS, or another recognised agency, you are eligible to complete the SSI ITC at diveshack. Contact us to confirm your current certification qualifies before applying.

What to Bring

Equipment requirements.

You must arrive at every weekend with your own fully serviced scuba equipment. Rental gear is not appropriate for instructor-level training; candidates are expected to demonstrate full equipment familiarity.

Scuba Equipment

Regulator with octopus and SPG, serviced within 12 months
BCD: wing or jacket style, in working order
Wetsuit: minimum 5mm for Malta spring conditions
Mask, fins and boots
Dive computer: air/nitrox capable
Dive knife or shears
Torch (primary and backup recommended)

Safety and Surface Gear

SMB (surface marker buoy), minimum 1.5m
Reel or spool, minimum 15m line
Whistle or audible signal device
Dive flag where required at sites
Logbook: up to date with 100+ dives recorded
Certification cards (original or digital)
Dive medical certificate

Teaching Materials

SSI Instructor Teaching System access (provided on enrolment)
Slate and pencil for underwater communication
Laptop or tablet for classroom presentations
Whiteboard markers (provided at centre)
Notebook for feedback and self-assessment notes

Equipment hire is not included in the ITC fee. If your regulator or BCD requires servicing before the course, allow time to have this done before 28 March. Contact us if you need a service referral.

Instructor Development Team

Who you will train with.

Your ITC is delivered by a two-person team. Both hold active SSI professional ratings and teach at diveshack's Diamond ITC centre in Malta.

Lead Instructor Trainer

Lee Smallwood Cassar

SSI Instructor Trainer

✓SSI Open Water Instructor Trainer
✓Technical and recreational instructor
✓Lead evaluator for ITC candidates

Assistant Instructor Trainer

Francesca Tamborin

SSI Assistant Instructor Trainer

✓SSI Assistant Instructor Trainer
✓Confined water skills specialist
✓Candidate assessment and feedback
✓Open water teaching evaluations

Pricing

Two options.

The ITC fee includes Enriched Air Nitrox and Perfect Buoyancy instructor ratings as standard. Five further specialty instructor ratings (Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, Night Diver, Navigation, Cavern and Cenote) are available as an optional add-on. The Instructor Evaluation is a separate event run directly by SSI and is priced separately.

Course Only

^€1,550

Full ITC training across 6 weekends. Does not include the SSI Instructor Evaluation (IE) fee.

✓All 6 weekends of instruction
✓SSI Instructor Teaching System access
✓Enriched Air Nitrox instructor rating
✓Perfect Buoyancy instructor rating
✓First Aid and CPR instructor rating
✓Mock IE and IE preparation
✓All confined water and OW session fees
✕5 specialty instructor ratings (available as add-on)
✕SSI Instructor Evaluation (IE), arranged separately with SSI

Enquire: Course Only

Recommended

Course + IE Support

^€2,100

ITC training plus diveshack IE mentoring support and assisted IE registration coordination.

✓Everything in Course Only
✓IE registration coordination through diveshack
✓Additional IE preparation session
✓Post-IE debrief and first-instructor mentoring
✓SSI IE fee included
✓Priority for diveshack dive guide shifts post-qualification

Enquire: Course + IE

Optional Add-on

5 Specialty Instructor Ratings

^€700

€500 course fee + €200 SSI eLearning

Specialties included

Deep Diver Specialty Instructor
Wreck Diver Specialty Instructor
Night Diver Specialty Instructor
Navigation Specialty Instructor
Cavern and Cenote Specialty Instructor

Add to either pricing option. Specialty instructor training runs across Weekends 4 and 5 and does not extend the programme. All 5 ratings are activated via SSI eLearning before the relevant weekend.

Add Specialties to My Application

A 30% deposit secures your place. Balance due by the first weekend. Payment by bank transfer or cash. No card processing fees.

Questions

Common questions.

Can I do the ITC if I am not SSI certified?+

Yes. The SSI ITC is open to candidates holding equivalent leadership certifications from any recognised agency, including PADI, BSAC, NAUI, CMAS and others. You will need to hold a Divemaster-level qualification or above. Contact us to confirm your certification is accepted before applying.

What happens if I miss a weekend?+

Each weekend covers specific ITC requirements. If you miss sessions, those elements must be completed before you can sit the Instructor Evaluation. We will work with you on a case-by-case basis to reschedule missed content, though this may extend your programme timeline. Consistent attendance across all 6 weekends is expected and strongly recommended.

Is the IE included in the fee?+

The SSI Instructor Evaluation (IE) is a separate 2-day event run by the SSI Regional Office, not by diveshack. The Course Only fee (€1,550) does not include the IE. The Course + IE Support option (€2,100) includes the IE fee and diveshack's coordination and additional preparation. The IE itself takes place within 60 days of completing the ITC and is arranged with SSI directly or through us.

How many places are left?+

This intake is capped at 12 candidates to maintain training quality. Places are allocated in the order deposits are received. WhatsApp us to confirm current availability before the intake fills.

Do I need my own students to teach during the ITC?+

No. During the ITC, candidates teach each other under instructor supervision. You do not need to source your own students for training purposes. Teaching real students is part of the post-qualification pathway, which diveshack supports through dive guide shift opportunities.

Can I work at diveshack after qualifying?+

Candidates on the Course + IE Support package are given priority consideration for dive guide and instructor shifts at diveshack Malta after qualifying. This is subject to availability and operational requirements. There is no obligation on either side, but we actively support candidates who want to start their instructing career here.

Book or enquire

Ready to dive?

Fill in the form and we will get back to you with availability, pricing confirmation, and everything you need to know before arrival.

Usually within a few hours. We confirm your dates, answer questions, and send full joining instructions.

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+356 9999 3483 · WhatsApp

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Become an SSIOpen Water Instructor.

Six weekends.Full certification.

You need to meetall of these.