SSI Dive Guide | Divemaster

No previous DIR experience is required. We include DIR equipment training and team protocols as part of the Dive Guide course at no additional cost. If you’re new to DIR, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know, including proper equipment setup, long hose deployment, team positioning, and emergency procedures. Our goal is to make you the dive guide you want to be, while giving you access to the tools and knowledge that make DIR such a powerful system.

Yes! After completing the Dive Guide course, you can upgrade to Divemaster by meeting SSI’s prerequisites:

Completion of the Science of Diving course (if you haven’t already; we can include this in your program)

A minimum of 60 logged dives and 40 hours of underwater time

At XR Explorers, we’ll help you gain the experience and mentorship needed to meet these requirements. Upgrading to Divemaster opens doors to Assistant Instructor, Instructor Development, and Extended Range Diving programs.

The program typically runs between 10 to 14 days, depending on your existing skills and experience. We keep class sizes small so we can focus on building confident, capable leaders. If you need extra time for foundational skills like buoyancy, trim, and team awareness, we’re happy to extend the program up to a month—our priority is making sure you leave as a competent Dive Guide.

You’ll need:

• 40 logged dives and 25 hours of dive time
• SSI Stress & Rescue Diver certification
• SSI Science of Diving certification (or we can include this course alongside your Dive Guide training)

If you’re not quite there yet, we’ll design a personalized development plan to get you ready. Many students combine the Extended Range Foundation class with Dive Guide training to refine their skills before stepping into leadership. Or even to opt in our Explorer Masterclass to become the best dive guide you can be and ready for your Assistant instructor or Open Water instructor training course

We exclusively provide and train in DIR configuration because we believe it's the safest, most effective diving system. You may use your own DIR-compliant gear if it meets XR Explorers' standards, or use our premium DIR equipment provided at no extra cost.

Importantly, training in the DIR system equips you to confidently handle any scuba configuration, including standard jacket-style setups, as all essential dive guide skills and emergency procedures are thoroughly covered.

Absolutely. Completing the SSI Dive Guide course with XR Explorers sets you on a clear path toward becoming Divemaster, assistant instructor or SSI Instructor.

Our standards go far beyond the minimum. The level of mastery you’ll achieve during this course will often make you more competent, confident, and technically prepared than many instructors trained elsewhere. That’s because we don’t just teach you how to lead—we train you to lead with purpose, skill, and real-world readiness.

That said, we strongly recommend gaining substantial in-water experience after completing this course before moving on to Instructor-level training. While standards allow you to proceed directly into an Instructor Training Course, we highly discourage this. Becoming an instructor carries serious responsibility. To truly lead and teach others, you need more than just a certification—you need depth, experience, and maturity as a diver.

Spend time diving, guiding, assisting classes, and sharpening your skills. Build your capacity. Earn your place. That’s what makes a true dive professional—and that’s what we believe in at XR Explorers.

Looking to go all-in? Our Explorer Masterclass Bundle gives you the most complete foundation possible—with all the training, tools, and experience needed to become an elite dive leader, the XR way.

Yes—and we actually encourage it. Completing your Dive Guide certification with us is just the beginning. We’re deeply committed to mentoring our Dive Guides beyond the course, helping you build real-world experience and become the dive professional you’ve always envisioned.

• As part of our extended mentorship program, you'll have opportunities to:
• Assist in classes and courses alongside our instructors
• Assist in guiding dives
• Join confined water sessions for unlimited skill practice and instructor shadowing

Continue learning by attending courses you’re already certified in to understand how to teach them later

You’ll also gain access to exclusive equipment discounts up to 20% on premium DIR gear—because we want our pros using the best tools available.

All of this is included in our XR Explorers Professional Membership, which offers unmatched support and value at just a fraction of what you'd expect. Ask your instructor during training about how to join—we’re always happy to support your journey and answer any questions you have along the way.

This isn’t just training. It’s your launchpad.

You’ll leave the course with:

• Leadership skills to guide divers safely and professionally
• Solid team diving techniques, buoyancy control, and emergency management
• A clear path toward upgrading to Divemaster, Instructor, and Technical Diving Programs.

We also offer ongoing mentorship, advanced training, and opportunities to join us on trips and conservation projects. XR Explorers Dive Guides often continue with us as part of our extended team, supporting real-world diving projects and trips.

Yes! Dive Guide is just the start. We offer clear progression into:

• Divemaster
• Assistant Instructor & Instructor Development
• Technical Diver Programs (including Extended Range, CCR, DPV, Sidemount, and more)

We also involve qualified Dive Guides in out trips, projects, assisting in dive courses, and liveaboard trips, where you’ll gain real-world experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Our instructors are more than just certified—they are highly experienced professionals in both recreational and technical diving, including deep exploration and cave diving. You’ll be learning from divers who operate at the highest levels, and who are dedicated to ensuring your success. Our small class sizes guarantee personalized, one-on-one coaching, so you build confidence and mastery from day one.

DIR-Based, Precision Training.

We exclusively teach the Doing It Right (DIR) system—the most advanced, streamlined, and safety-focused approach to diving in the world. DIR training requires more in-depth instruction, more water time, and greater attention to detail, which is why our programs are longer and more comprehensive. The result? You’ll finish with superior buoyancy, perfect trim, and flawless team diving skills—setting you up for a lifetime of safe, efficient, and enjoyable diving.

We Use Only the Best Equipment. Period.

While other dive centers use basic, entry-level gear, we provide our students with the same equipment trusted by professional explorers. Every XR Explorers student trains with Halcyon dive systems and Seacraft DPVs, the world’s best and most advanced scooters. This isn’t casual rental gear; it’s top-tier equipment used by elite divers on deep exploration dives around the world. You’ll train with it, master it, and we recommend it for your future diving because it delivers unmatched performance, reliability, and safety.

Long-Term Success, Not Just a Certification.

At XR Explorers, we’re not just interested in helping you pass a course—we’re preparing you for a lifetime of diving at the highest level. Our training lays the groundwork for more advanced exploration, whether that’s deep diving, sidemount, DPV, or even technical and cave diving. You’ll be ready to progress with confidence and competence, knowing you were trained the right way, with the right gear.

Smaller Classes. Tailored Training.

We keep our classes intentionally small to provide maximum in-water time, focused personal attention, and a customized learning experience. You’ll never be rushed or overlooked—you’ll be coached and mentored every step of the way by instructors who are invested in your development.

The XR Explorers Difference.

This is not recreational, factory-style training. This is elite-level instruction, using professional equipment, and methodical training philosophy, designed for divers who want to lead, explore, and master their craft.

When you choose XR Explorers, you’re making an investment in your diving future—with the best instructors, the best training system, and the best equipment on the market.

At XR Explorers, we believe in offering exceptional value for the highest quality training in Kuwait. While we don’t cut corners, we do offer exclusive ways to save on your diving education:

Bundle Discounts:
Enroll in one of our Explorer Bundles (Prime, Limitless, Master Explorer, or Masterclass) and save up to 30% compared to booking courses individually. These bundles are carefully designed to maximize your skills and offer incredible value.

Bring a Friend or Family Member:
Sign up with a buddy and you both save up to an extra 10% on your courses. Train together, save together, and dive as a team.

Exclusive Offers for Returning Students:
If you’ve trained with XR Explorers before, you’ll be eligible for loyalty discounts and special offers on advanced courses and specialty programs.

Seasonal Promotions:
We occasionally offer limited-time discounts during our high season (May to October). Follow us on social media or get in touch to find out about current promotions.