Marine Ecology

Underwater photography faces some differences you won't find on land, but with SSI Photo & Video's specialty, you'll quickly learn how to capture your amazing underwater experiences. This program will give you the expertise you need to dive with an underwater camera and to properly use, maintain and store your equipment. You'll develop your skills and learn techniques for taking underwater pictures and videos safely and easily, plus hone your diving skills using an underwater camera system. You will learn to take high quality images that you can share with others and earn certification for the SSI Photo & Video specialty. Get started today!

This specialty program will provide you with the knowledge and advanced skills you need to navigate safely and confidently underwater. You will learn how to properly use a compass, natural navigation techniques, distance estimation, leaving and returning to a specific point, and simple navigation patterns. You will also learn how to combine navigation techniques to optimize your diving experience. All of this will contribute to improving your underwater observation skills, increasing your safety while diving and getting the most out of every dive. Upon completion of the course, you will be certified as an SSI Navigation Specialty.

SSI's Decompression Diving specialty teaches you how to perform dives beyond the limit without decompression diving. You will learn how to plan and execute dives to a maximum depth of 40 meters with limited decompression using your recreational complete dive system and one decompression bottle. You will learn and practice how to effectively use dive computer functions including gas changes, gas integration, time to reserve and time to surface. Using these dive computer features will become second nature to you, allowing you to safely perform limited decompression dives without many hours of dive planning. Upon completion, you will be certified as an SSI Decompression Diving Specialty and will be able to explore amazing deep dive sites or larger wrecks without being constrained by traditional non-decompression limits. The possibilities for expanding your diving adventures just got bigger!

In this course, you will learn the skills and concepts you need to safely plan and execute dives using an underwater vehicle or DPV. You will learn what special precautions are necessary when using a DPV, how to maintain contact with your dive partner, and how to operate your equipment to safely enjoy the new diving experiences that a DPV provides. Upon completion of this program, you will be certified as an SSI Scooter/DPV Diving Specialty and will be able to dive with a scooter or DPV to depths of up to 30 meters.

SSI's specialized Diver Stress and Rescue program teaches you the skills you need to protect yourself and other divers. You will learn how to recognize stress, how to prevent accidents, and learn practical techniques for performing rescue procedures and providing emergency assistance. Through a combination of pool and open water training, you will be well prepared and confident in dealing with emergency and rescue situations. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification.

Get started today - you must be certified as a Divemaster or equivalent to join SSI's three-level instructor training. The training process begins by joining a combination Assistant Instructor / Instructor Training Course supplemented by digital instruction. Upon successful completion of the Instructor Training Course (ITC), you will enroll in Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an SSI Open Water Instructor. This ten-day training program qualifies you to self-instruct various SSI core programs such as Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue, and Dive Guide. For those who want to spend more time learning and gaining valuable training experience between training programs, the 3 parts can also be completed as individual steps - Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC) and Instructor Evaluation (IE) sequentially at your own pace and with flexible scheduling.

This globally recognized training program is the best way to start your lifelong adventure as a certified diver. One-on-one instruction is combined with in-water training, giving you the skills and experience needed to feel truly comfortable underwater. Upon completion of the course, you will be certified as an SSI Open Water Diver.

SSI's Perfect Buoyancy specialization is the best way to improve your buoyancy and get the most out of every dive. Buoyancy is a fundamental diving skill, but any diver will tell you that perfecting it takes time. The Perfect Buoyancy specialization will teach you advanced buoyancy skills and techniques to master buoyancy and enjoy more relaxing diving adventures. In this fascinating program, you'll 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 control, you'll float with ease and take the underwater photos you dream of!

The Divemaster program is the first step on an exciting journey. Earn the respect of your diving buddies and become a diving ambassador by completing the Divemaster program. All you need to get started is 40 logged/verified dives and certification in deep diving, navigation, night diving & limited visibility or at least 5 logged/verified dive experiences in each area plus dive load & rescue. Upon successful completion of the Divemaster program, you will be certified as a dive guide. If you are interested in turning your passion into a profession as a certified dive guide, teaching environmental programs, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself, your next step is to upgrade to Divemaster with a minimum of 60 logged/verified dives. You can upgrade to Divemaster immediately or anytime later by self-studying the Science of Diving materials and passing the digital final exam that will make you an SSI professional. There are thousands of job opportunities around the world for the next generation of highly skilled divers.

React Right SSI is a first aid course that provides you with the training and knowledge needed to provide first aid in the event of a medical emergency. In this flexible diving program, you can choose which topics you want to learn, including primary assessment, first aid, CPR and primary stabilization techniques. You can also learn about administering oxygen in diving emergencies and the basics of using an automated external defibrillator (AED). With a combination of theoretical sections and practical training scenarios, this program will give you the tools and confidence you need to respond in emergency situations. By the time you gain certification, you will be able to act as a paramedic, provide first aid and CPR, administer oxygen and provide AED support in a medical emergency. Earn certification for the SSI React Right specialty. Get started today!

In the SSI Shark Ecology program, you will learn how to interpret shark behavior, why they are often misunderstood, and how to dive with them. It is the ideal course for shark lovers and divers who are afraid of sharks but want to overcome their fear. Upon completion of this program, you will be certified as an SSI Shark Ecology Specialty and will undoubtedly become an enthusiastic shark diver. Get started today!

With SSI's Science of Diving specialization, you will gain a thorough understanding of the underwater world and its effects on the human body. This specialization is essential training for most SSI professional programs as well as some Extended Range programs and is an integral part of expanding your diving knowledge. You can earn certification for the SSI Science of Diving specialization from home and prepare to start your professional diving career, which is available online. Upon completion, you will be halfway to earning the prestigious SSI Divemaster qualification and earning the SSI Science of Diving Specialization certification.

As a deep diver, you have the unique opportunity to discover some of the world's best dive sites and most sought-after underwater lifeIn the SSI Deep Diving specialty, you'll learn everything you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters through instruction and free dives. There is so much waiting for you in the dark blue water. In a balanced combination of theoretical lessons and open water dives, you'll learn everything you need to dive between 18 and 40 meters in SSI's Deep Diving Specialization. You will learn how to plan, safely complete your deep diving adventures, use dive computer calculations and plan your gas consumption to maximize your dives. Upon completion of the course, you will receive your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore the most beautiful deep dive sites anywhere you want. This SSI specialty is also a prerequisite for other advanced training programs, making it the next logical step in your diving education.

As a drysuit diver, you can dive in cold waters all year round in warmth and comfort. Only drysuit diving can give you access to unique cold-water underwater landscapes, such as glaciers in the remote Arctic or fascinating places teeming with life despite the cold. Dry suits are also great when doing several dives a day, as the dry diver doesn't have to take off the cold and wet dive suit after each dive, but keeps the dry suit on. The best way to become a dry diver is through the SSI Dry Suit Diver Specialization Program. Here you will gain the necessary knowledge and learn all the skills to dive safely and comfortably in a dry suit. This includes handling special equipment as well as procedures for dealing with difficult situations and problems with the dry suit. At the end of the course you will be certified as an SSI Dry Suit Diving Specialty.

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins and reduce your surface intervals between dives - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you'll learn new skills and expand your diving knowledge while learning to safely plan and execute dives with an air mixture enriched with up to 40% oxygen. Upon completion, you will earn SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.