California

The Assistant Instructor rating is the next step after becoming a Divemaster along the scuba instructor pathway. It allows you to collect valuable teaching experience, practice briefings, teach academics, and conduct in-water training. If you want to further your career as a dive professional, you can finish the Instructor Training Course, pass the Instructor Evaluation, and become an Open Water Diving Instructor.

Assistant Instructor Trainers prepare Assistant Instructors to teach academics and conduct in-water training. As an Assistant Instructor Trainer, you are also qualified to assist Instructor Trainers, giving you valuable experience along your scuba diving instructor pathway. When ready, you can finish the Instructor Training Seminar, allowing you to become an SSI Instructor Trainer. Start your journey to create scuba diving instructors today.

You’re just one step away from becoming a certified diver—and we’d love to have you join us!Our SSI Open Water Diver Course is designed to be fun, supportive, and confidence-building, giving you everything you need to safely explore the underwater world.A $50 deposit secures your spot, and classes are kept small—so reserving early is the best way to guarantee your place.Your Course ScheduleClassroom (6:00 – 8:30 p.m.) August 18,20,25,& 27Pool Sessions (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.): August 22 & 23Ocean Training – Ocean Monterey August 29 & 30Complete your certification with an unforgettable weekend that includes:4 open water dives1 snorkel divePlus, you’ll receive a FREE Dive Computer Class (a $125 value) to help you dive with confidence.Course PricingCourse Fee: $398 (Includes classroom instruction, pool sessions, and instructor-led open water dives)Personal Gear Package (required): $289 – $499 (Mask, snorkel, fins, boots, gloves & cutting devices)Plus mouthpieces for regulators. ➤ Receive a $100 rebate when gear is purchased through High Sierra Divers.Digital Learning Materials: $159.99 Normally $180.99 (SSI digital book, dive tables, certification card, and logbook)Rental Gear for Open Water Dives: Special rental rate when you purchase your basic gear for HSD.We provide all scuba gear for pool sessions, and rental gear is available for your ocean dives.Why Choose Us?✔ Small class sizes for personalized instruction ✔ Experienced, professional instructors ✔ Focus on safety, confidence, and enjoyment ✔ Ongoing support—even after certificationAdditional InformationMinimum age: 12 years and olderCourse duration: Approximately 2 weeksSmall group instruction focused on safety and confidenceReady to Get Started?Create your SSI Diver profile and connect with us here: https://www.divessi.com/en/homeOr simply reply to this email, call, or stop by the shop—we’ll take care of the rest.This is more than just a class—it’s the beginning of a lifetime of adventure. Don’t wait too long… spots fill quickly, and we’d love to see you in this upcoming session!Best regards, Doug & Tina

If you're looking to get out and enjoy a great day of diving, the Beachhopper is an excellent choice. This two-tank dive trip inside the bay is perfect for gaining experience, enjoying local marine life, and spending more time underwater.To get the most out of this adventure, we highly recommend completing your Boat Diver and Deep Diver specialty certifications. These courses provide valuable skills and knowledge that will increase your comfort and confidence while diving from boats and exploring deeper sites.Not only will these certifications enhance your experience on trips like the Beachhopper, but they will also prepare you for dive travel around the world. As a more skilled and confident diver, you'll have access to a wider variety of dive sites and be better prepared to enjoy every underwater adventure to its fullest.Invest in your training today and unlock even more diving opportunities tomorrow! ????????

Has it been a while since your last dive? Less than 2 years since you last explored the deep blue? Our Scuba Skills Course is the perfect way to shake off the rust and dive back in with confidence! Designed for certified divers who haven't been underwater for one to three years, this course will refresh your essential scuba skills, update you on the latest safety protocols, and make sure you're absolutely ready to rediscover the magic beneath the waves. Those underwater adventures are waiting for you!Practice your skills in confined water before you dive in open water. Good skills to practice include:Predive checksBuoyancy checks (proper weighting)BuoyancyMask clearingMask removal and replacementRecovering and clearing your regulatorShared air ascentEmergency swimming ascent or controlled emergency swimming ascent (depending on what your training agency teaches)You will receive a Skills Update digital card upon completion of the knowledge assessment and confined-water skills.This class is typically semi-private, meaning you'll receive personalized attention from the instructor—either one-on-one or with up to two students (or a family).The cost for this course, which includes your digital online books, is $169. Call us with your availability so we can make it work

With a combination of online learning and open water training dives, you will learn how to enter and exit the water, use specialized equipment, and how to communicate with your buddy easily at night or in limited visibility. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Night Diving and Limited Visibility specialty certification and be ready to go night diving with confidence. High Sierra Divers 530-823-6757

The SSI Perfect Buoyancy specialty is the best way to improve your buoyancy and get the most from every dive. Buoyancy is an essential dive skill, but any diver will tell you it takes time to perfect. The Perfect Buoyancy specialty will teach you advanced buoyancy skills and techniques, so you can master your buoyancy more quickly and enjoy more relaxed dive adventures. In this fascinating program, you will also learn new skills that protect the environment and work in every diving situation. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Perfect Buoyancy Specialty certification. With better buoyancy skills, you will soon be able to hover with ease and take the underwater photographs you dream of! High Sierra Divers 530-823-6757

SSI Altitude Diver Specialty CourseJoin Us for Our Upcoming Altitude Diver Course!Class Begins August 12, 2026 Altitude Dives at Lake Tahoe – August 16, 2026Have you ever wondered how diving at altitude affects your dive planning? When diving at elevations above 1,000 feet, special considerations and corrections must be made to ensure safe and accurate dive planning.In this course, you'll learn why altitude affects diving and how to properly adjust your dive planning before, during, and after your dives. The program includes an evening classroom session and at least two supervised altitude dives.You'll discover why depth gauges and dive tables can provide misleading information at altitude and learn the procedures necessary to compensate for these differences. We will introduce the Albright Altitude Table, a simplified method that eliminates the need to work through multiple tables and complicated calculations.Following the classroom presentation, students will work through practical exercises based on real-world diving situations to build confidence in altitude dive planning.This course is open to all certified divers, regardless of certification agency.Course Topics Include:• Why Altitude Corrections Are Necessary • Physics of Altitude Diving • Arrival Procedures at Altitude • Dive Planning Considerations • After-Dive Procedures • Albright Altitude Table • Dive Tables and Their Use at Altitude • Dive Computers and Altitude Compensation • Computer-Based Altitude Diving • U.S. Navy Dive Tables • SSI Recreational Dive Tables • Other Agency Dive TablesCourse Includes:• One Evening Classroom Session • At Least Two Supervised Altitude Dives (Typically at Lake Tahoe)Course Fees:Altitude Diver Course: $125.00 Digital Training Materials: $69.99 Certification Card: $40.00How to RegisterTo sign up, contact High Sierra Divers by phone, email, or visit our website and select Classes → Altitude Diver to access the online registration form.