27th Annual UNDERWATER Pumpkin Carving Contest

Join us Sunday, October 25 at NOON for our 27th Annual Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest.  RSVP your Buddy Team! Don't have a buddy? We can help you find one!- Bring your own pumpkin- - Free t-shirt for participants -- Half-price rentals for participating divers- - Prizes for ALL buddy teams- - Free food & drinks after carving-Rules 1. Pumpkins must be cut UNDERWATER! You may draw on your pumpkin before carving. (Pumpkins will be inspected before entering the water)2. Carving must be done with a diver's tool (knife w/ sheath). NO PUMPKIN CARVING KITS ALLOWED! (Divers will be inspected before entering the water.)3. Only one pumpkin per buddy team may be entered for judging. (Both divers can carve one, but must decide which one to enter)4. HAVE FUN! This event is for YOU, the diver, to get out and meet other divers!

Welcome to the SSI Nudibranch Ecology speciality program, where you’ll explore the world of sea slugs in seven detailed sessions. Begin with their classification and habitats, then learn about their movement, sensory, and respiratory systems. Discover their complex reproductive strategies, relationships with other marine organisms, feeding habits, and crucial role in ecosystems. Explore their defense mechanisms and interactions with humans, emphasizing their research and conservation significance. This program will deepen your understanding of these extraordinary creatures, perfect for marine biology enthusiasts, students, or the curious. Join us and uncover the secrets of nudibranchs.

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training and in-water practice sessions ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. This is the final step in obtaining your SSI Open Water Diver certification. Five dives over the course of two days. Saturday at Lake Thurmond, Sunday at the Savannah River (conditions permitting). (If you're not a current student with our dive center and would like to upgrade your referral certification to OWD, please call to reserve your spot.) The price includes: 5 training dives, Equipment (BCD, regulator, cylinders, and wetsuit), and lunch on both days. Does not include: a mask, snorkel, fins, boots, gloves, weights, weightbelt, SMB, or logbook. (Neptune students are required to have this equipment to participate in the course.)

React Right is SSI’s emergency first response course and provides you with the training and knowledge you need to act as a first responder in a medical emergency. In this flexible dive program, you can choose which subjects you want to learn about, including primary assessment, first aid, CPR and primary stabilization techniques. You can also learn about oxygen administration in diving emergencies and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) basics. Using a combination of academic sessions and practical training scenarios, this program will give you the tools and confidence you need for emergency response. By the time you are certified, you will be able to act as an emergency first responder, provide first aid and CPR, administer oxygen and provide AED support in a medical emergency. Earn your SSI React Right specialty certification. Get started today! Three-night program. Must come to ALL classes to earn certification. MUST call Neptune to register for the course.

In the SSI Marine Ecology specialty program, you will learn how ocean organisms interact with each other and their environments. You will be taught how energy flows through communities and the links between different ocean ecosystems. With your newfound knowledge, you will appreciate the marine life you dive with even more! Start online today and earn your SSI Marine Ecology Specialty certification. 

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 40% certification.

In the SSI Shark Ecology specialty program, you will learn how to interpret shark behaviours, why they are often misunderstood and how dive with sharks. This is a perfect program for shark fans and for divers who are nervous about sharks but want to overcome their fear. Upon completion of this program, you will earn your SSI Shark Ecology Specialty certification and no doubt become an avid shark diver. Start today!