1.1 INTRODUCTION
This program is designed to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for an individual to lead certified divers in the open water environment.

1.2 QUALIFICATIONS OF GRADUATES
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may:
1. Assist an active SDI instructor during approved diving courses provided the activities are similar to the graduate’s prior training.
2. Supervise and conduct dives for certified divers provided the activities are similar to the graduate’s prior training.

1.3 WHO MAY TEACH
Who may teach this course?
3. An active SDI Instructor.

1.4 STUDENT – INSTRUCTOR RATIO
Academic:
4. Unlimited, so long as adequate facility, supplies and time are provided to insure comprehensive and complete training.
Confined Water (Swimming pool-like conditions):
5. A maximum of six (6) students per Instructor.
Open Water (Ocean, lake, quarry, spring, river or estuary):
6. A maximum of six (6) students per Instructor are allowed. However, it is the instructor’s discretion to reduce this number as conditions dictate.

1.5 STUDENT PRE-REQUISITES
The Student must:
7. Be at least eighteen (18) years old.
8. Be certified as Advanced Diver (advanced certification must include, Deep and Night & Limited visibility specialties).
9. Be certified as Rescue Diver.
10. Hold a current CPR and First Aid certification (i.e. a valid and current CPR1st Certification).
11. Have a current medical examination for diving.
12. Have a minimum of forty (40) logged dives.
1.6 COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION
The Student must:
13. Give a minimum of five (5) briefs/debriefs.
14. Show preparation, planning, and control in dive management and diving activities.
15. Guide a minimum of four (4) dives with varying sites and environmental conditions.
Course Structure:
16. SDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of students participating and their skill level.
Duration:
17. A minimum of forty (40) hours.

1.7 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Administrative Tasks:
18. Collect the course fees from all the students.
Ensure that the students have the required equipment.
Communicate the schedule to the students.
Have the students complete the Liability Release and Medical history forms.
The Instructor should review the Liability Release and Medical Forms before starting on the course.
Upon successful completion of the course the Instructor must:
19. Issue a SDI Certification card. Complete and submit the Registration Form to SDI HQ.
Award card.

1.8 REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Basic SDI Open Water SCUBA equipment for diving leaders as prescribed earlier in this manual.

1.9 REQUIRED SUBJECT AREAS
Instructors may use any additional text or materials that they feel help present these topics. The following topics must be covered:
20. SDI standards and procedures.
21. History of SDI.
22. Products and Procedures
A. How to place an order.
B. Yearly renewals.
23. Liability and Insurance
A. Risk Management.
B. Waivers and Releases (Remember, A wavier must be filled out for every course taken.)
C. Filling out an Accident Report.
24. Knowledge Development
A. Equipment.
B. Physics of diving.
C. Medical problems related to diving.
D. Use of dive computers and tables.
E. Diving environment.
F. Dive planning and dive management control.
G. Underwater and surface communications.
H. Diver assistance.
I. Recommended safe diving practices.
J. Boat diving procedures.
K. Shore/Beach diving procedures.
L. Night diving procedures.
M. Accident management.
25. Leadership Development
A. Planning group dives.
B. Divemaster check lists and logs.

1.10 REQUIRED SKILL PERFORMANCE AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Confined Water Requirements:
26. Skin Diving Skills – Minimum equipment: Mask, Fins, Snorkel and additional equipment as required.
A. Swim eight hundred (800) meter / yard continuously demonstrating reliable water comfort.
B. Skin diving ditch and don. Skin diver wearing mask, snorkel, and fins must
I. Swim down at least two-point-five (2.5) meter / eight (8) feet.
II. Take off mask, snorkel and fins leave them on the bottom and surface.
III. Rest on the surface for a few breaths, then dive down to equipment
IV. At the bottom, put mask, snorkel and fins back on with ease.
V. Resurface with mask and snorkel cleared and fins properly attached.
2. Scuba Skills - minimum equipment: all equipment required for a SDI diving leader.
A. In water, transport another diver in full gear at a quick pace for four (4) minutes.
B. Scuba ditch and recovery. In full gear
I. Descend to at least two-point-five (2.5) meter / eight (8) feet.
II. Remove mask, snorkel and scuba unit.
III. Swim eight (8) meter / twenty five (25) feet underwater, exhaling continuously, and surface.
IV. Take a few breaths and descend swimming (8) meter / twenty five (25) feet back to equipment.
V. Don equipment and ascend slowly.
VI. Evaluation of navigational skills both natural and compass.
Open Water Requirements:
3. Ten (10) open water dives lasting longer than twenty (20) minutes each.
4. Training dives must not exceed forty (40) meter / one hundred thirty (130) feet.
5. Upon successful completion of the dives – students must complete their logbooks and the instructor must sign off on the completed dives.
6. Students must demonstrate all the skills required in the previous courses at Divemaster quality in leadership level equipment. Skills include:
A. Diving equipment assembly and disassembly.
B. Equipment inspection.
C. Entries.
D. Exits.
E. Proper weighting and buoyancy control.
F. Snorkel and regulator clearing.
G. Regulator recovery.
H. Controlled descents and ascents.
I. Underwater swimming.
J. Mask clearing.
K. Buddy system techniques.
L. Weight /ballast system removal and replacement.
M. Scuba system removal and replacement.
N. Out-of-air emergency alternatives.
O. Equipment care and maintenance.
Instructors are required to evaluate all the following skills:
Candidate’s ability to:
7. Satisfactorily complete the SDI Divemaster written examination or equivalent.
8. Complete all water requirements.
9. Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution.