Course Details
Our SSI Open Water Instructor Course at Deep South Divers in Marsa Alam gives you a clear pathway to becoming a certified scuba instructor. This comprehensive 10-day ITC program targets Divemasters who want to take the next step in their diving careers.
After successfully completing the course and Instructor Evaluation (IE), you can independently teach the following SSI programs:
- Scuba Diver & Open Water Diver
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Diver Stress & Rescue
- Dive Guide
Deep South Divers offers flexibility. You can complete each phase—Assistant Instructor, ITC, and IE — sequentially at a comfortable pace, ensuring a thorough and adaptable learning experience.
Meet Your Instructor Trainer—Moudi Heikal
Your ITC is led by Mahmoud “Moudi” Heikal, an SSI Instructor Trainer and dive center manager with more than 7,000 logged dives and years of hands-on experience in professional dive training. Since starting to dive in 2008, Moudi has built a strong reputation for developing confident, safety-focused divers and instructors.
Key Credentials:
- SSI Instructor Trainer.
- Dive Center Manager at Deep South Divers, Marsa Alam & El Quseir
- 7,000+ logged dives across the Red Sea
- 13 SSI instructors certified since March 2024
- 20% increase in SSI course sales achieved through training excellence
- Unique blend of 15+ years of financial experience + dive industry expertise
Moudi’s Approach: Professional, calm, and personal. His teaching style combines strong training standards with practical skill development, focusing on quality, safety, and building long-term relationships with every candidate.
Follow Moudi for the latest training sessions and student success stories:
Instagram |
Facebook
Theory session covering SSI teaching methodologies and instructor standards
ITC Schedule — Your 10-Day Program
Our 10-day ITC runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, covering 10 Theory Sections and 10 Practical Application Sessions.
Daily Hours
- Morning Session: 9:00 AM — 12:00 PM (Theory / Classroom)
- Lunch Break: 12:00 PM — 1:00 PM
- Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM — 5:00 PM (In-Water Training)
Confined water training — mastering the skills before teaching them
Day 1 — Orientation & Skills Assessment
- Morning: Orientation session—meet the team and get familiar with the facility
- Theory: Section 1 — Introduction to SSI Systems & Standards
- Afternoon: First in-water assessment
- We evaluate your current Divemaster-level skills
- Identify strengths and areas for improvement
- This assessment helps us customize your training plan for the remaining 9 days
Day 2 — Customized Training Begins
Based on your Day 1 assessment, we adjust the schedule to focus on your needs. No two ITCs are the same—we adapt to your level and address your weak points from day one.
Days 2–9 — Theory & Practical Sessions
10 Theory Sections covering:
- Teaching methodology & presentation skills
- Risk management & safety protocols
- SSI standards & procedures
- Equipment management & configuration
- Student psychology & learning styles
- Business of diving
- Dive planning & environmental awareness
- Digital learning delivery
- Quality assurance & evaluation methods
- Professional development & career pathways
10 Practical Application Sessions:
- Confined water skill demonstrations
- Open water teaching evaluations
- Rescue scenario management
- Student supervision techniques
- Problem-solving in real diving conditions
- Briefing & debriefing techniques
- Skill sequencing & progression
- Adaptive teaching for different student types
- Emergency response & decision-making
- Final teaching evaluation preparation
Day 10 — Instructor Evaluation (IE) Preparation
- Final review and practice
- Mock evaluations
- Confidence-building exercises
- Q&A session with Moudi
Personalized Approach
Because we assess your skills on Day 1, we can:
- Spend more time on areas where you need development
- Accelerate through topics you’ve already mastered
- Ensure every candidate is fully prepared for the IE
- Adjust the pace to match your individual learning style
Accommodation & Package Options
Accommodation Available
Comfortable accommodation options are available for the duration of your stay in Marsa Alam. Contact us for details, availability, and rates—we can recommend the best options near the dive center.
Congratulations—welcome to the SSI Open Water Instructor family!
Divemaster + ITC Combo Package
Start your journey as a Divemaster and continue straight through to your Instructor certification without changing locations.
- Duration: 2 weeks to 1 month (customizable to your schedule)
- Includes: DM course + ITC + accommodation package
- Best for: Candidates who want a seamless progression from Divemaster to Instructor
Online Academic Sessions—Save Time on Site
Get a head start before you arrive in Marsa Alam:
- Complete the academic theory sessions online from home
- Arrive ready to focus 100% on practical water training
- Reduces your in-person time or allows deeper skill development
- Flexible scheduling to fit your personal timeline
E-Learning in Advance
Open your SSI digital learning materials before arrival:
- Study at your own pace before the course starts
- Maximize your water time for practical application
- Walk into Day 1 already familiar with the theory
- More confidence, better results
Course Requirements
Before enrolling, make sure you meet the following requirements:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old to enroll.
- Certification: You should already hold a Divemaster certification or an equivalent from a recognized training agency.
- Logged Dives: You need a minimum of 75 logged dives to participate.
- Medical Fitness: You must submit a medical fitness form that a physician has signed within the last 12 months, affirming your health and fitness for diving.
- Digital Learning Completion: Before the course starts, complete all assigned digital learning modules.
What’s Included
The course price includes everything you need:
- Comprehensive Training: Full access to the Assistant Instructor course, Instructor Training Course (ITC), and Instructor Evaluation (IE), offering a complete path from skilled diver to certified instructor.
- Digital Materials: All necessary digital learning materials and resources for the course to ensure candidates are fully prepared for each phase of their training.
- Professional Equipment Usage: Guidance on using professional-level scuba equipment, though candidates must provide their own set to meet training standards.
- Experienced Instructors: You learn from seasoned professionals with extensive experience in scuba instruction, ensuring the highest quality of training.
- Certification Fees: All fees related to the certification after successfully passing the Instructor Evaluation are included, ensuring no hidden costs.
What to Expect
Here is what the course delivers:
- Interactive Learning: You engage in hands-on training sessions and gain practical teaching experience under the guidance of expert instructors.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Cover all the essential topics from basic scuba skills to advanced teaching methodologies.
- Professional Development: Gain insights into the scuba industry and learn how to carve out a successful career as a scuba instructor.
- Certification: Upon completion, receive your certification and join the elite SSI Open Water Instructors group.
Expert-led theory sessions to prepare you for real-world teaching
Other Information
- Group Size: Small group sizes ensure personalized attention and maximum learning opportunities.
- Top-Quality Equipment: We provide only the best, well-maintained scuba equipment. From regulators to wetsuits, all gear is checked regularly.
- Safety: Safety is our top priority. Our instructors adhere to strict protocols and ensure dives are conducted in a controlled environment.
Cancellation Policy
- Refunds: Refunds are available for cancellations made at least 48 hours before the scheduled start of the course.
- No Shows: Refunds will only be issued for participants who attend with prior notice.
- Weather: At Marsa Alam Deep South Divers’ discretion, dives may be rescheduled or refunded in case of adverse weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
Terms & Conditions
- Booking: A booking is confirmed only upon receipt of full payment or a deposit specified by Deep South Divers.
- Liability Waiver: Participants are required to sign a liability waiver before participating in any dive activities.
- Changes: Deep South Divers reserves the right to make necessary changes to the itinerary, schedule, or course content.
- Insurance: Participants are advised to have valid dive insurance covering them for the duration of the course.
- Legal Jurisdiction: Any disputes arising from participation in Adventure Diver activities will be governed by the laws of the CDWS Recognition Agreement for Training Agencies.
Why Choose Deep South Divers?
Deep South Divers has trained instructors for years in the pristine waters of the Red Sea. Our SSI Open Water Instructor Course combines professional training with real-world teaching experience in one of the world’s top diving destinations. Learn more about SSI training standards.
Under the leadership of Moudi Heikal, SSI Instructor Trainer, you will receive personalized instruction that adapts to your individual strengths and development areas. Follow Moudi on Instagram and Facebook to see training in action.
Celebrating success — another certified SSI Open Water Instructor!
Related Courses
- Divemaster Course — The prerequisite for the SSI Open Water Instructor Course
- Assistant Instructor Course — First step of the instructor pathway
