PADI Assistant Instructor Course in Jeddah

The first step from dive professional to dive educator.

There’s a difference between leading dives and teaching diving. As a Divemaster, you’ve mastered the first. The PADI Assistant Instructor (AI) course is where you begin mastering the second.

This is the first component of the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC), the globally recognized pathway to becoming a certified PADI Instructor. Completing the AI course qualifies you as a PADI Assistant Instructor, giving you the authority to assist in teaching academic presentations, conduct confined water training under direct supervision, and independently teach the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty. It’s a meaningful step with real teaching responsibilities and the foundation everything that follows is built on.

What the Course Covers

The PADI Assistant Instructor course is structured across three modules:

Module 1, Academic Training: You learn the PADI system of diver education from the inside. How to develop and deliver effective knowledge presentations, how to teach the PADI Discover Scuba Diving and Snorkeling programs, how to conduct confined water sessions, and how to organize and manage open water training presentations. You also cover PADI’s risk management and standards in depth.

Module 2, Independent Study: Self-directed study covering PADI’s knowledge development framework, standards and procedures, and the principles behind effective diver education.

Module 3, Practical Application: Confined water and open water teaching presentations assessed and evaluated by your Course Director or IDC Staff Instructor. This includes a rescue skills assessment and a written standards examination.

What You’ll Be Able to Do

Upon completing the course, as a certified PADI Assistant Instructor you can:

Teach academic presentations under the indirect supervision of a PADI Instructor
Conduct initial skills training during confined water dives under direct supervision
Evaluate Open Water Diver surface skills under indirect supervision
Independently teach and certify the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty
Assist with open water training sessions across PADI’s core courses

Prerequisites

Certified PADI Divemaster (or qualifying leadership-level certification from another organization)
Minimum 60 logged dives (100 required to attend the Instructor Examination)
Minimum age: 18 years
Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR & First Aid) completed within the past 24 months
Medical Statement signed by a physician

What Comes Next

The AI course is the first part of the full IDC. Most candidates proceed directly to the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program, completing both parts of the IDC together before attending the PADI Instructor Examination (IE), the final step to earning a full PADI Instructor certification.

If you hold an instructor-level rating with another diving organization, you may be eligible to enter directly into the OWSI program. Ask our team about your options.

Why Complete This Course With Us

Our AI course is conducted by experienced PADI professionals in Jeddah, giving you the practical teaching environment and mentorship that makes the difference between passing the program and being prepared for what comes after it. You train at a real operational dive center with access to the Red Sea and under direct guidance throughout every practical session.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an AI and a full PADI Instructor?

A PADI Assistant Instructor can teach and assist under the supervision of a certified PADI Instructor, and can independently certify students in the Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty. A full PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor can teach and certify divers independently across all PADI core courses. The AI certification is the bridge between the two.

Do I need to complete the AI and OWSI separately?

Most candidates complete both parts of the IDC in a single program and then attend the Instructor Examination. You can, however, complete the AI course first and attend the OWSI at a later date. Talk to our team about the format that works best for your timeline.

What is the Instructor Examination (IE)?

The IE is PADI’s final evaluation for instructor candidates. It’s conducted by an independent PADI Examiner — not affiliated with your training center — and assesses your teaching ability, diving skills, and knowledge of PADI standards across academic, confined water, and open water components. You need a minimum of 100 logged dives to attend.

What can I teach independently as an AI?

As a PADI Assistant Instructor, you can independently teach and certify students in the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty. For all other PADI courses, you assist under the supervision of a certified PADI Instructor.

Is the PADI IDC eLearning included?

The IDC eLearning provides the theoretical foundation for the program. Ask our team about current pricing and what’s included in your enrollment package.