Courses in Tasmania

Dive Experience Leader

Course code: SDI-07

Turn professional-level dive skills into safe, engaging first experiences for new divers.
The SDI Dive Experience Leader program is a professional upgrade for active-status SDI Divemasters and Assistant Instructors who want authorisation to conduct SDI Scuba Discovery within the limits of their existing rating. Training develops the administrative, equipment-preparation, student-assessment, briefing, confined-water supervision, problem-management, debriefing, and professional judgment required to introduce people to scuba responsibly. Assistant Instructors may independently conduct Scuba Discovery in pools or approved confined-water sites; Divemasters may independently conduct it in pools only.

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Standards verification note: Standards verification note: This section has been checked against the current SDI Standards and Procedures, Part 4, Section 5 — Dive Experience Leader Program, and the current SDI Scuba Discovery standard. The program may be taught by an active SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor. Training is conducted only in swimming pools; other confined-water sites are not approved for candidate training. The maximum confined-water training ratio is 2 candidates per instructor, and the suggested minimum duration is six hours. Candidates must work with real participants in actual Scuba Discovery programs—not simulated students—and successfully conduct at least three complete programs under direct instructor supervision. Entry requires age 18, active-status SDI Divemaster or Assistant Instructor, and professional liability insurance covering teaching activity where required before independent conduct. Certification requires completion of all administrative, equipment, student-assessment, briefing, in-water supervision, problem-management, debriefing, breakdown, documentation, and judgment requirements, followed by submission of the SDI Specialty Upgrade form with assisted-course dates and participant names.

Quick Course Overview

• Professional upgrade

For active-status SDI Divemasters and Assistant Instructors who want to conduct SDI Scuba Discovery within the limits of their professional rating.

• Graduate scope

Assistant Instructors may independently conduct Scuba Discovery in pools or approved confined-water sites; Divemasters may independently conduct it in pools only.

• Required experience

Conduct at least three complete Scuba Discovery programs with real participants under direct supervision of the instructor.

• Training environment

Candidate training is pool-only; non-pool confined-water locations and open water are not approved.

• Maximum ratio

2 candidates per instructor during confined-water training.

• Suggested duration

Minimum six hours, with additional time as required to complete three genuine programs and all performance requirements.

Training Options

Standard small-group training

Standard small-group training is available once the course reaches the minimum number.

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Enquiry Only

Booking for this course is by enquiry only — get in touch and we'll arrange the details with you directly.

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Note* By application — contact us • This professional upgrade is scheduled around instructor availability, suitable pool access, genuine Scuba Discovery participants, candidate status, and documentation requirements. • A tailored fee and delivery plan will be provided after eligibility and program logistics are reviewed.

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Prerequisites

• Minimum age 18.

• Active-status SDI Assistant Instructor or SDI Divemaster.

• Professional liability insurance covering teaching activity where required before conducting any Scuba Discovery program independently.

• Current professional membership, medical fitness, first aid, CPR, oxygen-provider status, and other leadership credentials required for the candidate’s underlying rating.

• Availability to complete three genuine Scuba Discovery programs in a swimming pool under direct instructor supervision.

Course Format

Standards and program review

Review the current Dive Experience Leader and Scuba Discovery requirements, professional scope, ratios, supervision limits, forms, risk controls, and participant-registration procedures.

Administration

Collect fees where applicable, confirm required equipment, communicate schedules, and ensure each participant completes the SDI Liability Release and Express Assumption of Risk Form and the SDI Medical Statement, including physician clearance where required.

Equipment preparation

Select, inspect, prepare, fit, issue, recover, rinse, and store Scuba Discovery equipment while maintaining a safe and organised pool environment.

Participant assessment

Assess readiness, comfort, swimming ability, medical and administrative status, equipment fit, understanding, and suitability before and throughout the session.

Three real programs

Plan and conduct at least three complete Scuba Discovery programs with genuine participants under direct instructor supervision. Simulated students do not count.

Complete delivery cycle

Prepare the site, deliver the participant briefing, supervise required surface and underwater skills, manage foreseeable problems, debrief participants, break down equipment, and complete records.

Assessment

Demonstrate safe control, clear communication, appropriate intervention, professional conduct, standards compliance, sound judgment, and complete documentation

What You Will Learn

Plan and organise SDI Scuba Discovery sessions within the exact environment and supervision limits of your professional rating.

Screen participants, confirm paperwork and equipment, communicate expectations, and identify factors requiring additional support or exclusion.

Deliver concise, reassuring briefings covering equipment, breathing, equalisation, buoyancy, communication, safety rules, skills, and what participants should expect.

Maintain direct supervision and positioning, control depth and movement, recognise stress early, and intervene before a minor difficulty escalates.

Manage common mask, regulator, buoyancy, equalisation, comfort, communication, and confidence problems within the Scuba Discovery scope.

Debrief participants professionally, register experiences correctly, maintain records, and guide interested participants toward suitable continuing education.

What's Included

Professional standards development | Review of Dive Experience Leader and Scuba Discovery standards, scope, ratios, documentation, risk controls, and participant-registration requirements.
Instructor mentoring | Planning support, delivery coaching, direct observation, debriefing, remediation, and professional-readiness feedback.
Three supervised programs | Assessment of at least three complete Scuba Discovery sessions with genuine participants, subject to participant and pool availability.
Delivery-cycle coaching | Administration, equipment preparation, participant assessment, briefing, in-water supervision, problem management, debriefing, breakdown, and record completion.
Facility and training support | Use of the arranged pool, participant training equipment, cylinders, air fills, weights, and specifically confirmed centre resources during scheduled program sessions.
Upgrade processing | Preparation and submission of the SDI Specialty Upgrade form and the required assisted-course record after successful completion; separate agency fees remain excluded unless confirmed.

What's Not Included

SDI Divemaster or Assistant Instructor training, crossover, reactivation, renewal, or remediation required before entry.
Professional membership, liability insurance, medical examination, first aid, CPR, oxygen-provider credentials, agency application, upgrade, certification, or processing fees unless specifically confirmed.
Personal leadership-level dive equipment and exposure protection unless specifically included.
Additional pool hire, participant fees, staffing, equipment hire, consumables, or extra supervised programs required because the performance standard is not met, unless included in the tailored proposal.
Travel, accommodation, meals, hard-copy materials, and anything not listed in the final booking confirmation.

Why Train With Us

Learn to create first scuba experiences that are safe, controlled, memorable, and professionally delivered—not rushed pool sessions built around minimum compliance. • Thousands of dives behind our mentoring | Our team brings substantial recreational and technical experience to participant screening, equipment decisions, supervision, stress recognition, and professional judgment. • Real participants, real responsibility | You develop capability through genuine programs, with direct instructor oversight and feedback on the decisions that affect participant safety and confidence. • Professional delivery from first contact to follow-up | We coach the complete customer journey—enquiry, paperwork, equipment, briefing, water session, debrief, registration, and appropriate progression. • Honest readiness assessment | We evaluate control, communication, awareness, intervention, professionalism, and judgment rather than treating three assists as automatic qualification. • Modern equipment and centre support | Train with organised pool systems, suitable participant equipment, cylinders, air services, and operational support through our SDI/TDI 5-Star Dive Centre. • A stronger pathway into instruction | Build high-quality introductory-program experience that supports future Assistant Instructor, Open Water Instructor, and broader professional development.