One Month In: Evaluating the Transition to an SSI Instructor Training Center at Oceans 5 Gili Air

Evaluating the Transition to an SSI Instructor Training Center

As a business owner, big changes never come without nerves. Anyone who has been running a dive center for years knows that stability is fragile and hard-earned. Changing managers who have been part of the shop for years, implementing new operational systems, or adjusting long-standing philosophies always comes with the same quiet question in the back of your mind: What if this affects the heart of the business?

At the beginning of this year, Oceans 5 Gili Air took one of the biggest steps in its 15-year history: a complete crossover to SSI. A new training organization means new rules and regulations, a different digital ecosystem, new ways of registering and certifying students, different learning materials, and a new professional pathway for instructors and divemasters.

The biggest questions were obvious and unavoidable:
Will this change affect the number of divers walking into the shop?
Will it disrupt daily operations?
How will guests respond when they no longer see the logo they expect?

After one full month as an SSI Instructor Training Center, Oceans 5 can finally answer those questions with clarity—and confidence.

Preparing for the Switch: Months of Behind-the-Scenes Work

The transition didn’t start on the 1st of January. In reality, it began months earlier. During the last months of 2025, the Oceans 5 team worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that when the switch happened, it would happen all at once—without confusion for guests.

Websites were updated, social media channels redesigned, automated replies rewritten, templates replaced, advertisements around the shop changed, blog pages edited, PR pages revised, and partners informed. Every visible and invisible touchpoint had to reflect the new reality.

A huge part of this work was carried by Chelle, Oceans 5’s operational director and manager. From daily logistics to long-term planning, she ensured that nothing slipped through the cracks. The goal was simple but ambitious: on the 1st of January, everything should work exactly as before—just under a different training system.

And that’s exactly what happened.

January 1st: A Clean Cut, Not a Slow Drift

When January 1st arrived, Oceans 5 didn’t “ease into” SSI. The change happened in one go. The day before, nothing felt different to guests. The day after, everything behind the scenes had changed.

All six instructors completed their SSI Instructor crossover.
All eight divemasters became SSI Divemasters.
Two staff members stepped up to become SSI Instructor Trainers.

From a structural point of view, the foundation was solid immediately. But structure alone doesn’t keep a dive shop alive. The real test is always the public.

The Public Response: Numbers Don’t Lie

After one month, the results speak clearly. Oceans 5 recorded more certifications than in the same period last year. And that result becomes even more meaningful when you consider the external conditions.

This year, Gili Air has been quieter. Big storms, heavy swells, and cancelled boat traffic between Bali and the Gili Islands reduced visitor numbers across the board. Despite that, Oceans 5 did not see a decline in certifications or fun divers.

Yes, people still ask for PADI—by email and as walk-ins. That didn’t change overnight. What did change is how the team responds. Instead of deflecting or apologizing, instructors and office staff take the time to explain the SSI system one-on-one. Guests feel informed rather than pushed, and that personal explanation makes all the difference.

Interestingly, after announcing only half of the upcoming SSI Instructor Training Course dates, sign-ups came in immediately. One might assume these were old IDC candidates returning for a crossover—but they weren’t. These were new candidates, coming in through web marketing and updated online content.

That result alone confirmed one thing: the market didn’t shrink. It shifted—and Oceans 5 shifted with it.

Daily Operations: Smoother Than Expected

For instructors, the first adjustment was mental rather than technical. Teaching philosophies at Oceans 5 never changed. Neutral buoyancy, small groups, environmental awareness, and calm, confident teaching remained exactly the same. What changed was the system around the teaching.

After several team meetings, a clear internal structure was defined for how SSI courses are conducted at Oceans 5 Gili Air. Once that structure was in place, the workflow became smoother than before.

The biggest win? Time.

The SSI digital system allows instructors to see student progress on their phone or tablet in real time. Online learning materials are intuitive and flexible, allowing students to complete theory in the evenings or at their own pace. Registration and certification no longer feel like administrative obstacles but logical steps in a clear process.

For managers, the difference is even more noticeable. Student registration, certification, and tracking are handled through QR codes and a structured digital flow that leaves far less room for error. Tasks that used to take time and double-checking now take minutes.

Quality Control: What Didn’t Change at All

One concern often voiced during big transitions is quality. Did Oceans 5 compromise its standards to make the change easier?

The answer is simple: absolutely not.

Owner Sander remains closely involved in daily operations, overseeing instructors, courses, and standards. Oceans 5 has always operated as a team rather than a collection of individuals, and that hasn’t changed. Instructors support each other, align teaching styles, and maintain a shared philosophy that prioritizes student confidence over speed.

The system changed. The standards didn’t.

Voices from the Shop and the Water

The most honest feedback doesn’t come from statistics—it comes from people.

Nat, SSI Open Water student:

“The SSI Open Water Course went smooth. Instructor Esmee explained the course in a patient way. Especially the online materials—easy to use and could be finished whenever I had time in the evenings. I can’t recommend a better dive center.”

Chelle, Dive Shop Manager:

“The SSI system is more time-effective. It’s a modern system developed with the way dive shops actually work in mind. Daily, it saves me time, and I can now use that time for other important things.”

Ary, Dive Instructor:

“The SSI system works very well. For instructors, it gives a bit more flexibility compared to other organizations. At Oceans 5, we created a structure that fits all instructors, which makes us more efficient as a team.”

The Professional Pathway: No Drop, No Fear

One of the biggest unknowns was the professional side of the business. Would instructor numbers drop? Would candidates hesitate?

Within just two weeks, candidates signed up for the upcoming Instructor Training Course at Oceans 5 Gili Air. Instead of decline, the numbers suggest stability—or even growth. The fear of losing professional candidates simply didn’t materialize.

One Month Later: A Clear Conclusion

After one month as an SSI Instructor Training Center, Oceans 5 Gili Air can confidently say the transition went smoothly. There were no operational crises, no drop in quality, no decline in divers, and no confusion among guests.

The system is easier.
The workflow is faster.
The instructors are happy.
The students are satisfied.

Change will always be uncomfortable at first. But sometimes, after taking a deep breath and stepping forward, you realize the water is calmer on the other side.