The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program enables recreational scuba instructors certified through other training organizations to become PADI Instructors. This program acknowledges that you are already scuba instructors with some degree of experience and teaching ability, so it focuses on allowing you to explore the PADI System of diver education, rather than developing basic teaching techniques. Although you are only required to attend about 50% of the whole IDC program, it is highly recommended that you attend the whole program. There is no additional charge for this and the knowledge and insight gained is well worth the extra time involved.

During the OWSI course you'll give at least two confined water teaching presentations, two knowledge development presentations, and two Open Water teaching presentations. You'll also participate in continuing education workshops like the Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver courses.

You will need to meet specific performance requirements in order to pass the OWSI, you will have several opportunities to meet the performance requirements. On successful completion of the OWSI Course, you will be awarded an IDC completion form which is your passport to the Instructor Examination.