Open Water Instructor (Instructor Training Course ITC)

Join the SSI Science of Diving specialty and you will develop a complete understanding of the underwater world and its effects on the human body. This specialty is required training for most SSI Professional programs, as well as some Extended Range programs, and is an essential way to expand your dive knowledge. Available online, you can earn your SSI Science of Diving specialty certification from home and get ready to begin your dive professional career. Upon completion, you will be halfway to earning the coveted SSI Divemaster rating and earn the SSI Science of Diving specialty certification.

The SSI Open Water Diver course is an introductory course to the world of scuba diving and is designed for beginners who have no previous diving experience. During the course, participants learn the basics of diving, such as proper equipment, diving techniques, diving physics and physiology, and safety regulations. The course includes theoretical lessons that teach the basics of diving, as well as practical exercises in the water to apply what they have learned. Participants also complete open water dives to improve their skills and confidence under the supervision of their experienced instructors. Upon successful completion of the SSI Open Water Diver course, participants receive a certificate that entitles them to dive to a depth of 18 meters worldwide. This course lays the foundation for further diving training and enables participants to explore the fascinating underwater world.

Deep Diving

The Manta & Ray Ecology course provides in-depth knowledge about the fascinating world of manta rays and rays. These elegant sea creatures play a crucial role in marine ecosystems and are at the same time highly endangered by human influences. In this course, participants learn about the most important species of manta rays and rays, their biological characteristics, their behavior and their role in the marine food web. Special focus is placed on their reproduction, their migratory movements and the ecological relationships that ensure their survival. Another focus is the protection of these animals. Topics such as overfishing, bycatch, habitat loss and the international trade in gill traps are covered, as are current conservation programs and sustainable management approaches. Participants will learn how research, tourism and responsible diving can actively contribute to the protection of manta rays and rays. The course is aimed at divers, freedivers and people interested in the sea who want to deepen their knowledge and develop a better understanding of these extraordinary animals. It combines scientifically sound content with practical relevance for diving and marine conservation.