Open Water Certifications are 3 steps!

 The PADI Master Scuba Diver  rating is a mark of dedication, skill, and real-world dive experience. While it’s not a standalone course or certification, it is the highest recognition a recreational diver can earn — a title achieved by fewer than 2% of PADI divers worldwide.

To become a Master Scuba Diver, you’ll need to complete a series of core PADI certifications, finish five Specialty Diver courses, and log at least 50 dives. This combination of advanced training and in-water experience makes it an excellent foundation if you're thinking about becoming a PADI Pro with courses like PADI Divemaster or Open Water Scuba Instructor.

 Working closely with a PADI Instructor, this program will expand your dive knowledge and hone your skills to the professional level. PADI Divemaster training develops your leadership abilities, qualifying you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers. PADI Divemaster is the prerequisite certification for both the PADI Assistant Instructor and PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certifications 

Timeline: At your own pace! The beauty of the Divemaster program is we offer it at your flexibility, since Aggieland Scuba teaches year round you are able to do workshops and work with classes at your pace. 

Prerequisites: 

• 18 years old 
• Rescue Diver 
• Emergency First Response (CPR and First Aid) certification within the past 24 months.
• Medical Questionnaire signed by a physician with the last 12 months.
• 40 logged dives to begin the course and 60 dives to become certified

Your instructor may also offer the PADI Deep Diver and Search & Recovery Diver specialty diver courses along with your divemaster training to help you meet all requirements and to broaden your abilities.

Course Includes:

• PADI Divemaster eLearning
• Divemaster bag
• Divemaster polo 
• In-water instruction & workshops
• Classroom Instruction  
• Discounts for students in house 

Course Excludes: 

• Dive gear 
• Personal Dive Insurance 
• Open water site entry fees (vary upon time of year & location) 

Required Equipment: 

• Mask, snorkel, fins
• Bcd, wetsuit, boots 
• Dive computer 
• weight belt (or integrated weight pockets) & weights 
• Exposure protection (wetsuit depending on time of year)

The  Assistant Instructor (AI) Course is the first section of the IE.  Assistant Instructors learn about the PADI System of Instructor, General Standards and Procedures, Instructor Level Dive Theory and how to teach in confined water, open water and the classroom. Candidates will be shown how to control student diver activity, lead skill practice and teach within the PADI System and Standards. 

Timeline: 5 days 

Prerequisites:

• PADI Divemaster
•  60 logged dives; documented experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation.
• 18 years old.
• Medical clearance attesting to dive fitness signed by a physician within the previous 12 months, and have had no medical condition changes.
• Completed the EFR Primary and Secondary Care course, or other qualifying training, within the last 24 months.
• If not a PADI Divemaster, successfully complete the PADI Divemaster course diver rescue skills assessment.
• Documentation of any non PADI qualifying entry level, advanced, rescue and leadership level certifications* as required.

Course Includes:

• PADI Instructor eLearning
• PADI Pro bag
• In-water instruction & workshops
• Classroom Instruction  
• Discounts for students in house 

Course Excludes: 

• Dive gear 
• Personal Dive Insurance 
• Open water site entry fees (vary upon time of year & location) 

Required Equipment: 

• Mask, snorkel, fins
• Bcd, wetsuit, boots 
• Dive computer
• weight belt (or integrated weight pockets) & weights 
• Exposure protection (wetsuit depending on time of year)

  Timeline:

• 10 days Divemaster to OWSI 

What's Included:

• PADI Digital IDC Crewpack
• The PADI Digital IDC Crewpack includes:
• Guide to Teaching
• IDC eLearning
• PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy and Project AWARE Specialty Course Instructor Guides
• Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exams 
• Rescue Diver Final Exams
• Divemaster Final Exams 
• Aquatic Cue Cards for Open Water Diver, Adventures in Diving, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Discover Scuba Diving Skill Development Preparation Slate Diving Knowledge 
• eLearning PADI Backpack 
• EFR Instructor Course 
• In-water instruction 
• Classroom instruction  

PADI fees are not included in the IDC course fee and are payable at the time of the Instructor Examination or application.

2026 PADI fees include:

• IE Fee: $825.00 
• IDC Fee: $235 
• EFR Instructor Fee: $146 
• Specialty Instructor Application Fee: $96 per specialty applied for
  

Prerequisites: 

• PADI Divemaster or hold a leadership-level certification with another recognized recreational diver training organization
• Be at least 18 years old 
• 60 logged dives to begin the IDC Have at least 100 logged dives at the time of the IE 
• Certified diver for at least six months 
• PADI Medical Statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months 
• Current EFR Primary and Secondary Care training, or equivalent CPR and First Aid training, completed within the last 24 months. 
• Complete a diver rescue skills assessment if you are not a PADI Divemaster 
• Have personal dive accident insurance, such as DAN  

The  Assistant Instructor (AI) to OWSI Course bridges Assistant Instructors and prepares them for the PADI Instructor Examination. Assistant Instructors learn about the PADI System of Instructor, General Standards and Procedures, Instructor Level Dive Theory and how to teach in confined water, open water and the classroom. Candidates will be shown how to control student diver activity, lead skill practice and teach within the PADI System and Standards. 

Timeline: 5 days AI to OWSI 

What's Included:

• PADI Digital IDC Crewpack, including IDC eLearning
• The PADI Digital IDC Crewpack includes:
• Guide to Teaching
• IDC eLearning
• PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy and Project AWARE Specialty Course Instructor Guides
• Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exams 
• Rescue Diver Final Exams
• Divemaster Final Exams 
• Aquatic Cue Cards for Open Water Diver, Adventures in Diving, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Discover Scuba Diving Skill Development Preparation Slate Diving Knowledge 
• eLearning PADI Backpack 
• EFR Instructor Course 
• In-water instruction 
• Classroom instruction  

PADI fees are not included in the IDC course fee and are payable at the time of the Instructor Examination or application. The PADI fee totals are shown with each package so you can understand your full IDC investment before enrolling. These fees are paid directly to PADI. 

PADI fees include:

• IE Fee: 
• IDC Fee:  
• EFR Instructor Fee: 
• Specialty Instructor Application Fee: Price per specialty applied for 
• Lake entry fees, if applicable
  

• PADI AI or hold a leadership-level certification with another recognized  training organization
• Be at least 18 years old 
• Have at least 60 logged dives to begin the IDC Have at least 100 logged dives at the time of the Instructor Examination 
• Certified diver for at least six months 
• PADI Medical Statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months 
• Current EFR Primary and Secondary Care training, or equivalent CPR and First Aid training, completed within the last 24 months. 
• Complete a diver rescue skills assessment if you are not a PADI Divemaster 
• Have personal dive accident insurance, such as DAN  

 Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) training allows you to teach CPR, first aid, AED, and Care for Children courses to divers and non-divers. This course is also an important step for PADI IDC candidates who need to meet the CPR/first aid instructor requirement before certification as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. 

Prerequisites: 

• 18 years old 
• EFR Primary and Secondary care training in the last 24 months 

Timeline: 1 Day 

Course Includes:

•  EFR Instructor eLearning
• EFRI Digital Instructor materials
  Instructor-level CPR and first aid training
•  Scenario-based coaching Course organization and teaching techniques 
• Teaching practice
• Authorization training for EFR Primary Care, Secondary Care, CPR/AED, and Care for Children  

Not Included: 

•  The EFR Instructor application fee is not included in the SLDC course fee. This fee is currently $146 and is payable directly to PADI/Emergency First Response at the time of certification.