SDI Course Director Program at Stuart Scuba

The SDI Course Director Course is a premier program designed for experienced dive professionals aiming to advance their teaching careers in scuba diving education. As the first module in SDI’s Instructor Trainer (IT) Development Program, this course trains you to conduct the SDI Instructor Development Course (IDC) independently. Qualified SDI Course Directors are also empowered to conduct the SDI Non-Diving Specialty Instructor Course and to grant specialty ratings for SDI Instructors and Assistant Instructors, making this a highly sought-after qualification.

Who Should Enroll in the SDI Course Director Program?

This program is perfect for dedicated dive professionals who aspire to teach others the art of "How to Teach" scuba diving. Additionally, this course serves as essential preparation for those looking to enter the next stage of SDI training, the Instructor Trainer Workshop (ITW).

Course Prerequisites

• Age Requirement: Minimum 21 years
• Experience Requirement: Minimum of 200 logged dives
• Certification History:
  • Active SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor or equivalent for at least 2 years
  • No quality assurance issues within the last 12 months
  • Must have issued a minimum of 150 SDI (or equivalent) diver certifications, distributed as:
    • 100 Open Water Scuba Diver
    • 25 Rescue Diver
    • 20 Specialty Diver
    • 5 Divemaster or Assistant Instructor
• Additional Requirements:
  • Current certification in CPR, first aid, and oxygen provider (as permitted by local law)
  • A recent medical examination signed by a licensed physician

Course Content and Skills to Master

As a participant in the SDI Course Director Program at Stuart Scuba, you will cover an extensive range of topics, including:

• Professionalism in Instructor Training: Understanding the role of an SDI/TDI/ERDI Instructor
• Instructor Training Process: Including course orientation, scheduling, and evaluation techniques
• Teaching Essentials: From diving physics and physiology to risk management and rescue instruction
• Marketing and Business: Skills for promoting SDI Instructor courses and diving specialties
• Hands-On Skill Demonstrations: Mastery of open water and pool problem-solving skills to instructor quality
• Watermanship Requirements: Complete swims, floats, and rescue scenarios to demonstration standards

The course includes hands-on teaching practice, where candidates will present and evaluate academic and in-water lessons for diver and instructor-level training, ensuring you’re ready to manage and lead courses with professionalism.

Key Skills for Evaluation

To successfully complete the course, candidates will be evaluated on their ability to:

• Conduct rescue and emergency scenarios with precision
• Swim 400 meters continuously within specified times
• Perform instructor-quality problem-solving skills in confined and open water settings
• Present structured and effective academic and in-water lessons for both diver and instructor levels

What’s in It for You?

Upon successful completion, SDI Course Directors are authorized to:

• Independently conduct the IDC for SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructors
• Lead the SDI Non-Diving Specialty Instructor Course
• Certify SDI Instructors, Assistant Instructors, and Non-diving Specialty Instructors for relevant specialties
• Qualify for participation in the SDI Instructor Trainer Workshop (ITW)

Program Completion Requirements

To earn certification, candidates must:

• Complete the Course Director pre-course study package, including the Standards and Procedures Exam, Online OWSDI Course, and Professional Familiarization (Crossover) Course
• Achieve a minimum score of 80% on the SDI Course Director written exam, with full remediation on any missed topics

Ready to Start Your Journey as an SDI Course Director?

At Stuart Scuba, located in Stuart, Florida, our team of highly experienced SDI Course Directors, Instructor Trainers, and Instructor Evaluators is here to guide you through each step of this challenging yet rewarding journey. Join us to take your professional dive training to the next level and become an influential leader in scuba diving education!

For more information, call us or visit our location to discuss how you can become a certified SDI Course Director and inspire future instructors!