From Divemaster to Instructor: My Humbling SSI Instructor Adventure in Nusa Penida

How I Somehow Ended Up Becoming a Dive Instructor

Never, ever did I think I would become a dive instructor. Not even a little bit. The idea didn’t cross my mind until I finished my Divemaster program at the Indo Ocean Project. Diving every single day, being close to the ocean constantly, and slowly gaining confidence underwater made something click for me. I realised how genuinely happy I felt when my days revolved around the sea.

 

On top of that, a lot of job opportunities in the marine biology and conservation world require at least Divemaster, and often Instructor, level, even if the role itself is scientific. So after a lot of back and forth, I decided to just go for it and sign up for the Instructor Training Course. Looking back now, it was one of the most humbling experiences I’ve ever put myself through… but somehow, I made it to the end.

 

Here is how I experienced this course, and everything you need to know about the SSI Instructor Exam.

Where I did My Instructor Course

I decided to try my luck at REEFLEX Divers in Nusa Penida, Indonesia, and honestly, I was beyond excited to be back in Indo. The first time I lived there, it felt like home, and knowing I would be returning made the decision a lot easier.

 

Bali itself made it even harder to accept that I would eventually have to leave Indonesia again. Yes, I know, very stereotypical “white girl in Bali” thoughts. Bali is the place for expats (or, as I jokingly call them, western immigrants). When people imagine a touristy tropical destination, Bali is usually the first place that comes to mind. But I have to admit… they’re not wrong for loving it.

 

People are incredibly friendly, the vibe is open and warm, Balinese Hinduism was a refreshing change after living in countries dominated by other religions, and the architecture is genuinely stunning. Nusa Penida, although touristy, still feels distinctly Indonesian and was a really nice place to settle into for a couple of intense weeks.

The Two-Week Instructor Training Course

Before starting the course, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I had heard stories: “they break you down and build you back up,” “the exam feels easy compared to the course,” and hearing that over and over again didn’t exactly calm my nerves. If anything, I was scared before we even began.

 

Preparation Before the Course

Even before day one, the workload was already intense. Preparation included:

  • Completing all online academics

  • Getting all personal dive gear (BCD, regulator, SMB, wetsuit, etc.)

  • Learning the SSI standards by heart (a long, detailed document that honestly hurts to read)

  • Knowing every detail of the SSI website and app

 

By the time the course officially started, it already felt like we were halfway in.

The First 5 Days: Pure Theory

The first five days consisted entirely of theory. No water sessions at all. We focused on learning how to teach, not just knowing the material. This meant understanding how to structure academic presentations for everything from Open Water to Science of Diving.

 

Every single day, we were assigned homework: preparing a full academic presentation on a randomly assigned topic from one of the SSI manuals. Each presentation took me at least two hours every evening to prepare, only to present it the next morning. Those first days were about piecing everything together so that, during evaluation, you could confidently explain theory without hesitation.

 

Academic Evaluation Components

The academic part of the evaluation consisted of:

  1. Interview: 14 questions on standards, academics, and the SSI system, completely from memory

  2. Academic Presentation: 15 minutes on an assigned topic

  3. Written Exam: 50 multiple-choice questions, open book, focused on standards

Pool Sessions: Where the Real Frustration Started

After five full days of theory, pool sessions finally began, and we were so excited to be back in the water. These sessions focused on:

  • Giving clear skill briefings

  • Demonstrating skills underwater

  • Spotting and correcting student mistakes

  • Delivering proper debriefings

 

We practiced briefings a lot, and for me, this was one of the most frustrating parts of the entire course. Skill demonstrations themselves weren’t new, after Divemaster, they felt like motor skills I could perform without thinking. But explaining them clearly, concisely, and in the correct structure was a whole different challenge.

 

Since there wasn’t enough time to practice every skill during pool sessions, a lot of it became homework: dry skill demonstrations, theory review, and endless briefing practice.

Practical Evaluation Components

The practical part of the exam included:

  1. Three skill demonstrations in the pool (no briefing or debrief)

  2. One full pool skill sequence (briefing, demonstration, student mistakes, debrief)

  3. Two full open water skill sequences

  4. Emergency scenario demonstration (from the Stress & Rescue course)

 

From that point onward, we were in the pool every single day.

Evaluation Days: 2 Days of Pure Stress

After two exhausting weeks, it was finally time for the final evaluation. We traveled to Nusa Lembongan, which honestly felt like a breath of fresh air after seeing the same places for two weeks straight. There were four other candidates taking the exam, and you immediately bond when you’re all equally stressed. There was one evaluator who conducted the entire exam.

 

Exam Day 1

The day started with orientation, where we received a sheet listing exactly which skills and academic presentations each candidate had to perform. Knowing upfront what to prepare was actually reassuring. 

 

Day one included:

  • Standards and academic questions

  • Pool evaluations (one full skill sequence + three skill demos)

  • Rescue scenario

 

I didn’t perform amazingly on my three skill demos due to nerves, but I still passed day one comfortably.

 

Exam Day 2

Day two consisted of:

  • Open water skill sequence

  • Academic presentation

  • Final interview

 

After two weeks of zero ocean dives, it felt so good to finally be back in the sea. Everything went smoothly, and seeing my certification with my name on it was honestly one of the biggest relief moments I’ve ever experienced.

 

How the SSI Instructor Exam Actually Works

Before taking it, the SSI Instructor Exam sounds terrifying, and honestly, it kind of is. You're allowed one redo (except for the Open Water evaluation).

 

Written Exam

  • 50 questions

  • 90% required to pass (only 5 mistakes allowed)

  • Open book, but very time-consuming

  • 2 hours total (trust me, you need it)

 

The questions are not easy, even with the standards right in front of you. Many are intentionally confusing. I only got 2 questions wrong, which honestly surprised me.

 

Skill Sequences

Emergency ascents are common evaluation skills because they’re difficult to teach. I was assigned Emergency Buoyant Ascent, one of the hardest ascents to control. You’re evaluated on:

  • Clear briefing (what, why, where, how, signals)

  • Group control and safety (how you keep an eye on your students and communicate with your assistant)

  • Spotting all student mistakes (minimum assigned 2 students that have 1 mistake each))

  • Correcting mistakes properly

  • Positive, educational debrief

 

Missing even one mistake results in failure.

 

Emergency Scenario

An unconscious diver rescue underwater, demonstrated step by step. If you fail, you are reassigned a stressed diver scenario at the surface.

 

Open Water Evaluation

This is the hardest part of the exam. Unlike other components, there is no redo. If you fail this, you fail the entire exam.

 

Academic Presentation & Interview

Presentations are evaluated on structure, accuracy, interaction, teaching aids, safety messaging, continuing education links, and even sales technique. I got the section Water in Motion for the Science of Diving course. The interview tests how precisely you know SSI standards, exact wording matters.

My Personal Experience During the Course

Those two weeks were brutal. They were long, exhausting, overwhelming, and incredibly humbling. I was pushed to my limits until I completely broke down, yes, I cried more than once. I constantly felt like I wasn’t good enough.

 

The way we were treated during the course was sometimes questionable. While I understand the logic behind it, making the exam feel easier by comparison, I didn’t enjoy the course itself at all. I hated most days. There was constant failure, and as a perfectionist, that was incredibly hard to handle.

 

From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day was filled with presentations, dry skill practice, theory study, and endless briefing repetition. I never felt like I had enough time to reach a level where I felt confident, and yet, somehow, it worked.

Final Thoughts

Even though I didn’t enjoy the process, I’m proud of myself for pushing through it. Becoming an SSI Instructor taught me resilience, humility, and how to keep going even when I felt completely drained. I was unbelievably happy when it was over, but I’m also grateful I did it.

I came out the other side as a dive instructor, and that still feels pretty unreal.