Koh Tao is built for dive pros. Warm water, easy logistics, a magnificent lifestyle and lots of training dives. With SSI, your path is simple, digital, and flexible. You learn in the MySSI app, train with our team, and build real experience in local conditions. The SSI pro pathway at a glance Dive Guide (DG) – lead certified divers Divemaster (DM) – DG + Science of Diving = your first pro rating. Assistant Instructor (AI) – start teaching parts of courses. Open Water Instructor (OWI) – teach full entry-level courses. From there, you can add Specialty Instructor, then go on to Assistant Instructor Trainer and Instructor Trainer if you want to mentor future pros. Step 1 – Dive Guide (DG) What you do: give briefings, plan dives, lead certified divers safely. Typical training: academics, confined sessions, and open water leadership dives. Prerequisites snapshot: usually 40+ logged dives and comfort at up to 40 m with proper training. Good to know: after DG you can activate “professional status” and start working within SSI standards with a training center. Step 2 – Divemaster (DM) How it works with SSI: Divemaster is built from Dive Guide + Science of Diving. Science of Diving is a thorough theory course (physics, physiology, deco theory, environment) that you can study online. Prerequisites snapshot: 60+ logged dives, Professional Dive Guide status, and Science of Diving. What you gain: a full pro rating and the foundation for instructor training. Step 3 – Assistant Instructor (AI) What you do: practice teaching. You’ll run parts of classes, help in water, and build classroom skills. Prerequisites snapshot: Divemaster certification and at least 60 logged dives. Why it helps: AI gives you real teaching time before the instructor course. Step 4 – Open Water Instructor (OWI) The instructor journey: SSI uses a simple three-step approach — Assistant Instructor + Instructor Training Course (ITC) + Instructor Evaluation (IE). Some centers run AI + ITC back-to-back, then you sit the IE. What you can teach as an OWI: Open Water Diver, Scuba Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox (40%), Diver Stress & Rescue, Dive Guide, and more entry-level programs. Next steps: add Specialty Instructor ratings for the way you like to teach (Perfect Buoyancy, Navigation, Photo & Video, etc.). What’s “updated” about the pathway? Digital by default: Your learning, logbook, and cards live in the MySSI app. Clear ladder: DG → DM (with Science of Diving) → AI → ITC + IE → OWI. Crossover friendly: Already pro with another agency? An SSI Professional Crossover brings you into the SSI system without starting over. Life as a pro on Koh Tao On Koh Tao you’ll rack up real guiding time, learn to brief busy tropical sites, and tune your rescue, navigation, and group control skills. You get feedback every day, which makes you calm, clear, and professional underwater. How Phoenix Divers supports you Coaching, not just certs: we focus on calm leadership, safety, and simple communication. Structured practice: briefings, site checks, rescue refreshers, and problem-solving in real conditions. Flexible training: start with DG or join us at DM/AI/ITC level — we’ll map your plan together. Quick FAQs Can I do Science of Diving online? Yes. It’s digital, and it’s required for most pro levels and for the Divemaster rating. I’m PADI/SDI/etc. — can I switch? Yes. There’s an SSI Professional Crossover for active pros and you can benefit from lower annual fees. How long does it take? It depends on your experience and dive count. We’ll build a timeline that fits your schedule and goals. cta[title=”Ready to go pro?”]Tell us where you are now (Advanced? Rescue? DG? DM?) and where you want to go. We’ll give you a simple training plan, clear costs, and start dates. Message us here and we’ll get you set up.[/cta]