Decompression Diving

With the SSI Open Water Diver certification, you’ll earn an internationally recognized and permanently valid qualification. This makes you an “autonomous diver” according to EN 14153-2, allowing you to explore the world’s most beautiful dive sites.The journey is interesting and a lot of fun—but of course, it also involves a little work.You ’ll learn a lot: what happens in your body when you breathe air under pressure? What limits do you need to be aware of to ensure you return safely to shore? How can you safely plan and carry out your dives?Fortunately, you’ll get to apply everything you learn in theory right away—because you’ll need it with every finslap underwater. This makes it very easy to understand the concepts—even children as young as 10 can grasp these complicated laws of physics this way. (Of course, the course is structured a little differently than it is for adults!)

The one course you really need in addition to the OWD is the Nitrox course. It’s all about the benefits of diving with Nitrox—a breathing gas that contains less nitrogen and more oxygen. Because you absorb less nitrogen when using it, it’s a popular alternative to air and is often offered for free. However, to be allowed to use it, you must have a Nitrox certification. You can get that here— online, and still with better quality than the average in-person Nitrox course.The first step is the Nitrox 32 certification; for that, you really just need to study the theory. You’ll receive it as soon as you’ve completed the exam. Then, as soon as you have access to an analyzer, we’ll hold a short workshop on how to analyze and mark the tank—and you’ll be cleared for the 40% mix.

The SSI Decompression Diving Specialty course shows you how to dive beyond no-decompression limits. You will learn to plan and execute dives to a maximum depth of 40 meters with limited decompression using your recreational diving equipment and a single scuba tank. You will learn and practice how to effectively use the functions of your dive computer, such as gas exchange or gas integration, as well as remaining air time and ascent time. Using these computer functions will quickly become routine for you so that you can make safe dives with limited decompression without hours of dive planning. Upon completion of the course, you will receive the SSI Decompression Diving Specialty certification, allowing you to explore stunning deep dive sites or large wrecks without the limitation of no-decompression limits. The chances of improving your diving adventures just got better!

Through online learning and dives in open and confined open water, the SSI Scuba Diver course provides you with the perfect foundation to become an independent and confident diver. You’ll learn everything you need to make open-water dives to a maximum depth of 12 meters with an SSI professional. With this course, you’ll complete about half of the Open Water Diver course and can upgrade your certification later. To do so, you simply need to complete the remaining theory and confined-water sessions, as well as two open-water training dives.The course price consists of two parts: the SSI Digital Kit, which you can book in advance, and the open-water training. The price shown here is the full price.

In the SSI Deep Diver course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to safely plan and conduct dives to 40 meters within no-decompression limits. How short will the time spent at depth be? What is the minimum amount of breathing gas that must remain in the tank? And what’s the deal with this depth intoxication? Over the course of three dives, we’ll gradually explore depths that require a bit more skill and knowledge. You’ ll learn to factor in additional safety margins, calculate whether you have enough air, and test how susceptible you are to decompression sickness.

What changes when diving at high altitudes? As soon as we are no longer at sea level, the ambient pressure at the start of the dive is lower. This affects nitrogen saturation—so you must take your altitude into account. In our online course, we’ll explain the proper procedures for diving in mountain lakes. We’ll also provide some basic considerations regarding traveling to higher altitudes after diving, and relatedly, flying after diving.Since nothing changes in the water, this course can be completed as a purely theoretical course.

In this course, you’ll learn to recognize problems before they become serious—both for yourself and for others. We’ll start by refreshing your self-rescue skills and then gradually work our way up to more challenging scenarios: everyday equipment problems, a buddy who’s struggling, recovery and towing, and the question of when to perform rescue breathing in the water.Equally important: knowing when it’s better to abort a dive. The focus is on prevention and targeted responses, not heroic acts.The Rescue course is a serious one—and yet it’s the one where people laugh the most.To get certified, you’ll need a valid first aid course. You can take it beforehand or with us on La Palma, tailored for divers.

Night dives require very different skills than daylight dives. The SSI Night Diving & Limited Visibility Specialty course is the best way to learn all about night diving and practice the techniques required to make you a safe and confident night diver. This course will give you all the knowledge and skills to dive safely and relaxed at night or in limited visibility conditions. In a balanced mix of online learning and open water dives, you will learn how to use special equipment, the correct entry and exit techniques and how to communicate with your dive buddy at night and in limited visibility. Upon completion of the course, you will receive the SSI Night Diving and Limited Visibility Specialty certification and be ready to dive into the dark with confidence.

As a Divemaster you take on responsibility for other divers for the first time. You learn to lead groups, give good briefings, keep track of everyone and demonstrate skills cleanly – the way we always do it, without kneeling.We prefer to train in real day-to-day dive centre life: with real guests, but with time for you and your questions. That includes things no manual covers, like running the compressor and small repairs.The course takes at least two weeks. You are welcome to stay longer and join courses and dives as spots allow. We don't offer "Divemaster in exchange for work".SSI allows you to start with 40 logged dives; you need 60 to certify. We recommend starting with 60. With less experience you simply plan more time and a few settling-in dives – we'll talk this through honestly with you beforehand.Not included: SSI Pro registration fee (paid directly to SSI), travel and accommodation.

The Assistant Instructor is the next logical step after the Divemaster on your way to becoming an Instructor. It gives you the chance to gain valuable teaching experience, practice dive briefings, teach theory lessons and take over practical dive training. If you want to advance your career as an SSI Professional, you can complete the Instructor Training course, pass the Instructor Evaluation and qualify as an Open Water Instructor.

The Assistant Instructor is the next logical step after the Divemaster on your way to becoming an Instructor. It gives you the chance to gain valuable teaching experience, practice dive briefings, teach theory lessons and take over practical dive training. If you want to advance your career as an SSI Professional, you can complete the Instructor Training course, pass the Instructor Evaluation and qualify as an Open Water Instructor.

Get started today—you must be a Divemaster or hold an equivalent certification to participate in SSI’s 3-level Instructor Training Program. The training begins with participation in the combined Assistant Instructor/Instructor Training Course, accompanied by digital learning. After successfully completing the Instructor Training Course (ITC), you’ll take part in an Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an SSI Open Water Instructor. This 10-day course qualifies you to independently teach various SSI core programs such as Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue, and Dive Guide. If you’d like to take more time between training sessions to study and gain valuable teaching experience, you can also complete the three parts in separate steps—Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC), and Instructor Evaluation (IE)—one after another at your own pace and with a flexible schedule.In 18 days on La Palma, you’ll complete the entire path to becoming an SSI Instructor: Assistant Instructor, ITC, and the Instructor Evaluation (IE) with an external SSI examiner. During the ITC, you’ll learn to plan complete dive courses and to conduct and evaluate sessions independently.It’s more important to us that you become a truly great dive instructor than that you finish quickly. That’s why you’ll spend a lot of time in the water and receive honest feedback. We teach all exercises without kneeling—just as you’ll later teach your students.The ITC Prep online preparation course is included so you’ll have a solid grasp of the theory and standards before you arrive. The schedule includes buffer days and rest days so you won’t arrive completely exhausted.Already have the AI? If you completed it with us in the same year, you’ll start directly with the ITC: at least 6 course days and 2 IE days, with a buffer day in between if at all possible—so plan on about 9 days. If you’re coming from outside the area with an AI, you’ll participate in the entire ITC at the upgrade price. You won’t have to do the OWD microteachings anymore, nor do you have to be in the water for every session—but you’re welcome to join in for practice anytime. Plan on at least two extra days here, so about 11 days total. Just get in touch with us.Not included: SSI Pro registration fee for divers transferring from other organizations (paid directly to SSI), retests, personal equipment, travel, and lodging.