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PADI Assistant Instructor Qualification

The AI course is only the first part of the IDC. But, it results in limited teaching responsibilities combined with the role of being qualified to assist scuba instructors.

This help guide explains the requirements to complete the PADI® Assistant Instructor course and how to continue the training to become an Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI).

Requirements for PADI Assistant Instructor

PADI AI training covers the system of diver education as you gain extra experience as a professional scuba trainer.

The program combines some classroom tuition with independent study - to help enhance your leadership skills.

Several in-water skills sessions, stamina challenges, and diver training exercises, will stretch your ability to organise and solve problems.

A lot of this will happen as you help student divers improve their scuba diving capabilities.

Note: The Assistant Instructor qualification results in a significant step taken towards Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) certification. Hence, the Instructor Development Course (IDC) and Instructor Examination (IE) completes PADI professional levels scuba programs for candidates in Thailand.

PADI Assistant Instructor Prerequisites

The AI course represents the first segment of the IDC. So, most candidates will complete all the required practical training exercises in four (4) days. To enrol, you will need to be (all):

At least eighteen (18) years of age and have been a certified scuba diver for a period of at least six (6) months.
Able to show a minimum of sixty (60) logged dives, with experience in night diving (low visibility), deep dives, and underwater navigation.
At PADI Divemaster rating (or have an equivalent certification from another scuba organisation)
Holding a current and valid certification in CPR and First Aid within the past two (2) years (e.g. Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care).
Fit for diving and submit an RSTC Medical Statement signed by a physician within the last twelve (12) months.

AI Training Equipment and Materials

Candidates need to use PADI Dive Guides and Manuals during the training, as well as most of the following study materials:

Cue cards, quizzes, and exam booklets for PADI's core courses
IDC Candidate Workbook and other related reference materials
Lesson planning slates for confined and open water
Specialty outlines for the Project AWARE Specialty
Assistant Instructor Application Hologram Decal

PADI AI Duties and Diving Activities

Most of the PADI® Assistant Instructor course requirements will help to develop your teaching skills and ability to organise and supervise scuba diving activities. This will take place through a combination of:

Self-study, quizzes, lectures and presentations.
Confined water skills review and assessment, workshops, and presentations.
Open water workshops, rescue assessment, and candidate presentations.

In addition to the existing responsibilities and duties that you will already have as a certified dive master, you will also be qualified to:

Teach academic presentations under the 'indirect' supervision of an instructor.
Present the initial skills training during confined water dives under the 'direct' supervision of an instructor.
Evaluate Open Water Diver surface skills with 'indirect' supervision.
Teach and certify PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty divers under the direction of an OWSI.
Teach:
- PADI Project AWARE Specialty Course.
- AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Course.
- PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty Course (under the direction of an instructor after earning the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty Instructor rating).
Conduct PADI Seal Team AquaMissions and the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience Program (e.g. in a swimming pool or a safe confined water environment).

Price for PADI® Assistant Instructor Course in Thailand 24,900 THB*

FAQ about Scuba Diver Instructors

How Much Do Scuba Instructors Earn?

We already established that you will need to invest a significant amount of money to become an Assistant Instructor (around 25,000 Thai baht).

Then, you would need to outlay more money to finance the additional scuba training you need to become an instructor - plus the annual membership fees.

Most dive instructors make less than people think - when compared to other educators (e.g. teachers). As an average, a scuba diving career is going to earn you a figure somewhere between US$500 and US$5000 a month.

Note: *Prices are subject to change without prior notice and assume that all prerequisites have been met to start the appropriate courses. The prices quoted on our website do not include any specialised training manuals, PADI membership fees, or scuba equipment required to meet the diving assignments.

How Long Does it Take to Become a PADI Instructor?

The Instructor Development Course (IDC) requirements combine two separate programs - the Assistant Instructor (AI) and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI).

At the end of the training, you will have become better at public speaking and you will have enhanced your ability to demonstrate scuba skills to beginners.

In most cases, you should allocate at least six (6) months of training to "go from zero to hero" as they say in the industry.

What are the Medical Requirements for Scuba Diving?

A certain level of well-being and general fitness is needed to carry out scuba activities. Thus, you may need to get written approval from a physician before you go diving.

You can download the online version of the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire to check if your current medical status will require a physician's approval.

Note: You should not ask dive staff (e.g. divemasters, instructors) for medical advice and clearance to go diving. Instead, you can contact the Divers Alert Network (DAN) if you have questions about your medical fitness to dive.

After Becoming an Instructor's Assistant

One of the benefits of finishing the AI course is that you have already completed almost half of the IDC. So, you may only need to complete the remaining OWSI portion to be certified as a scuba trainer.

Hence, many candidates will choose to use the PADI® Assistant Instructor course as a stepping stone from life as a Divemaster to the top level of instruction.

Other advantages of becoming a scuba educator include being able to take students on deeper dives and in less than optimum conditions, such as to:

Note: Divers can get access to the top dive sites around the world with a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certificate. It is also the minimum level of certification required to participate in liveaboard dive trips in Thailand.

Related Information and Help Guides

Note: The short PADI® video [1:05 seconds] explains what to expect during the Instructor Development course (IDC). Click here to contact Private Scuba in Pattaya, Thailand for further information.