The PADI Drift Diver Specialty Instructor course is designed for scuba instructors who want to teach divers how to dive safely and confidently in currents. Drift diving can be exhilarating, but it requires clear planning, strong situational awareness, and disciplined supervision to be done well.

As a Drift Diver Specialty Instructor, you’ll focus on how to teach current assessment, entry and exit strategies, buoyancy and trim in moving water, and effective buddy and group coordination. Emphasis is placed on awareness, communication, and maintaining control throughout the dive, from entry to pickup.

At Space City Dive Center, Drift Instructor training emphasizes real-world application and conservative decision-making. You’ll refine how you brief drift dives, manage student positioning, and supervise divers in dynamic environments while maintaining training standards and safety margins.

This specialty pairs naturally with Boat Diver, DSMB, and Advanced Open Water training. It is also a popular option for instructors leading dive travel or teaching in coastal and current-prone environments.

What You’ll Learn

• Assessing current conditions and site suitability
• Drift dive planning and logistics
• Buoyancy, trim, and positioning in moving water
• Buddy and group coordination techniques
• Teaching and supervising drift dives safely

Who This Course Is For

Drift Diver Specialty Instructor is designed for certified scuba instructors who want to expand their teaching portfolio with a highly practical, environment-driven specialty. It is ideal for instructors involved in continuing education and dive travel.

Prerequisites

• PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) or higher professional rating
• Active Teaching status required
• Drift diving experience as required by standards
• Completion of required medical documentation

What’s Included

• Course Director-led Drift Diver Specialty Instructor training
• Teaching guidance and standards review
• Drift Diver Specialty Instructor certification upon successful completion

PADI Specialty Instructor application fee is not included