Freshwater Ecology

The SSI Assistant Instructor program provides candidates with the knowledge and training needed to perform the duties of an Assistant Instructor. These responsibilities include conducting entry‑level scuba training under the supervision of an Open Water Instructor, as well as independently teaching Scuba Skills Updates, Try Scuba, and Perfect Buoyancy programs.At Divers’ Supply Indy, our Assistant Instructor programs are offered twice a year — once in the spring (mid‑April to early May) and once in the fall (September). Each program runs for six days over two consecutive weekends (Friday–Saturday–Sunday). Classes are held from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day and include a combination of classroom sessions and confined‑water training.

The SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC) equips candidates with the comprehensive knowledge, leadership skills, and hands‑on experience needed to organize and conduct entry‑level scuba training programs. This intensive program also prepares you to successfully complete the SSI Instructor Evaluation (IE), the final step toward becoming an SSI Open Water Instructor. Whether you’re looking to advance your professional dive career or inspire the next generation of divers, the ITC provides the foundation, confidence, and teaching techniques you need to succeed.

Buoyancy is one of the most important skills in scuba diving, and while it takes time to master, the SSI Perfect Buoyancy Specialty helps you get there faster. This course teaches you advanced buoyancy techniques so you can dive with greater control, comfort, and relaxation on every adventure.You’ll also learn skills that protect the environment and improve your diving in any situation. Discover how much weight you truly need, how proper weight placement improves your trim, and how to use your breathing to assist with smooth ascents and descents.

Want to extend your dive time and enjoy the dive sites you love even longer? The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty is your ticket to more underwater adventure! Become a Nitrox diver and experience the benefits on every dive — especially on multi‑dive days — including longer bottom times and reduced diver fatigue.Earn your SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty certification and unlock a whole new level of comfort, confidence, and opportunity in your diving journey. There’s no better way to make the most of every dive.Take the next step — your extended adventure starts now!

Haven’t been diving in a while? No worries — we’ll have you feeling confident and comfortable again in no time! The SSI Scuba Skills Update is the perfect way to shake off the rust, refresh your skills, and get back to enjoying the underwater world with ease.Under the guidance of an SSI Professional, you’ll review and practice the essential skills from your Open Water Diver course so you can dive safer, smoother, and with total confidence. It’s the ideal tune‑up before a dive vacation — spend less time stressing about your skills and more time admiring the marine life you came to see.Not certified yet? If you’re an Open Water Diver student, this refresher is a fantastic way to sharpen your skills before your open water training dives. With no fixed course duration, you can take your time, focus on what you need, and get personalized support every step of the way.Get ready to dive back in — your next underwater adventure is waiting!

Some of the ocean’s most unforgettable dive sites are wrecks — vibrant artificial reefs teeming with marine life and filled with stories from the past. Wreck diving lets you explore living history up close, and there’s truly nothing else like it. The SSI Wreck Diving Specialty gives you the skills and knowledge you need to become a safe, confident, and enthusiastic wreck diver.Through a combination of engaging academic sessions and confined‑water training, you’ll learn how to safely conduct non‑penetration wreck dives and explore artificial reefs up to 30 meters deep. Then, you’ll put your new skills into practice during open‑water training dives designed to build comfort, awareness, and excitement around wreck environments.By the end of the program, you’ll earn your SSI Wreck Diving Specialty certification — your passport to exploring some of the world’s most fascinating underwater sites. Continue your adventure and become a wreck diver. Start your training online today!

We offer Open Water classes almost every weekend, making it easy to start your scuba journey on your schedule. Take the next step toward your diving goals — your adventure is waiting!

Get ready for one of our most exciting community events of the year! Dive, eat, and connect with fellow scuba enthusiasts at the annual Treasure Hunt on Sunday, October 4th at 11:00 AM at France Park.What’s the Treasure Hunt all about? Jump into the water and search for your numbered treasure ball — one treasure per diver! After your dive, enjoy a delicious cookout, meet and chat with top dive equipment manufacturer reps, and hang out with the amazing Divers’ Supply Indy community. Then keep your fingers crossed as we call out the lucky numbers to reveal what treasure you’ve won.Don’t miss out — advanced registration is required to claim your share of scuba treasure! Sign up online under Trips at DiversSupplyIndy.com or call us at (317) 897‑2822.Registration closes at noon on Friday, October 2nd. Equipment rentals are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis.Join us for a day of fun, food, prizes, and underwater adventure — it’s going to be a blast!

The Divemaster program is the first step on an exciting journey!  Earn the respect of your dive buddies and become an ambassador for diving by taking the Divemaster program.  You will be certified as a Dive Guide after successfully completing the Divemaster program. Turn your interest into your passion by guiding certified divers, teaching Ecology programs, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself.  We encourage you to complete our Divemaster program!  

In the SSI Freshwater Ecology specialty program, you will explore how aquatic species interact with each other and their freshwater environments. You will learn about freshwater ecosystems, food chains, predator-prey relationships, and the delicate balance that sustains life beneath the surface. This program deepens your understanding of biodiversity, species adaptations, and habitat protection — giving you the knowledge to recognize and identify aquatic wildlife with confidence. With your new ecological insight, every dive becomes a discovery. Start online today and earn your SSI Freshwater Ecology certification.

The SSI Try Scuba program is your thrilling first step into the underwater world! This fun, beginner‑friendly experience lets you feel the magic of scuba diving without committing to a full certification course. Under the guidance of an SSI Professional, you’ll take your very first breaths underwater, learn simple scuba skills, and discover just how exciting diving can be. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring beneath the surface, Try Scuba is the perfect way to jump in and experience the adventure for yourself.

Many of the world’s most exciting dive sites are found in deeper water, and exploring them safely requires the right training. The SSI Deep Diving Specialty gives you the skills and confidence to plan and enjoy dives beyond 18 meters, all while staying safe and comfortable. It’s also an important step toward advanced certifications.Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to manage gas consumption, use your dive computer effectively, and complete deep dives with proper planning and control. Once you finish the course, you’ll earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be ready to experience stunning deep‑water sites around the world.If you’re an SSI (Junior) Open Water Diver and at least 15 years old, you’re welcome to join the Deep Diver course and take the next step in your underwater adventure.