Basic Diver

In the SSI Basic Diver program, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to try diving up to 12 meters deep with an SSI Professional. It is a great way to explore the underwater world more fully as you try diving. The entire Basic Diver program can be credited towards the Scuba Diver or Open Water Dive programs within 6 months, so you can take the next step in your dive adventure.

This course teaches you everything you need to dive safely and comfortably while wearing a dry suit. You’ll learn how dry suits work, how to manage buoyancy and gas, and how to handle dry suit–specific emergencies. It’s the perfect way to stay warm on multi-dive days or access cold-water environments like quarries, lakes, or chilly dive sites – all while earning a globally recognised SSI certification. What to Expect Online & Instructor-Led Theory – You’ll complete SSI’s dry suit training modules digitally and through guided instruction, covering suit types, valves, gas management, and safety procedures unique to dry suit diving. Confined Water Session – In a controlled environment, you’ll master donning and doffing the suit, air management, buoyancy control, and emergency drills before heading to open water. Two Open Water Dives – Under instructor supervision, you’ll put dry suit skills into action during two real dives (typically up to 30 m), applying buoyancy, valve control, and emergency handling procedures. Who’s it for? This specialty is open to divers aged 10 and up who already hold an SSI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent). It’s ideal if you want to dive in colder environments year-round, stay warm on long dive days, or explore adventurous sites like wrecks, caves, or quarries. Perfect for UK diving. Please contact us on 01273 612012 if you have any questions and to get booked into this course!

What’s the Basic Diver Course? This course is the perfect way to experience real scuba diving without committing to a full certification. You’ll learn the basics, practise in shallow water, and then go on your first proper open water dive with one of our experienced instructors. It’s a fun, relaxed way to explore scuba diving and see if it’s for you – and if you love it, you can carry on to become a certified diver. What to Expect Briefing & Safety Overview – We’ll explain how the equipment works, how to stay safe, and how to communicate underwater. Confined Water Session – You’ll start in a pool or shallow, calm water to get used to the gear and learn essential skills. Your First Open Water Dive – Time to dive in! You’ll go up to 12 metres deep, under full supervision, and get a real taste of life underwater. Who’s it for? Anyone aged 10 and over who wants to try scuba diving in a more complete way than a Try Dive. Perfect for first-time divers, holidaymakers, or anyone thinking about doing a full course later. You just need to be able to swim and be in good general health. Please contact us directly to confirm this booking on 01273 612012 or my email at info@newhaven-scuba.co.uk

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you all you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mixture of academic sessions and open water dives. You will learn to plan and safely complete your deep diving adventures and use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most from your deep dives. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for some advanced training, making it the next logical step to take in your dive education. Please contact us on 01273 612012 to confirm your booking. We also offer this course as a bundle course package with our Enriched Air Nitrox course. If you are not already trained in enriched air nitrox diving, we recommend that you complete this for safety, please contact us to discuss. The cost of both courses together us £450. Please be aware that the times for this course can change dependent on tides, we can also accommodate your needs and availability if you get in touch with us.

To join the SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC), you must be a certified Divemaster or hold an equivalent qualification. This comprehensive program is part of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach. It begins with the Instructor Training Course combination, supported by immersive digital learning. After successfully completing the ITC, you will attend the Instructor Evaluation (IE) to become an SSI Open Water Instructor. As a certified instructor, you’ll be able to independently teach key SSI programs such as Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue, and Dive Guide. Need more time or want to gain hands-on experience before becoming a full instructor? You can take the Assistant Instructor portion as a standalone step. This allows you to assist with real student courses, build valuable teaching experience, and then complete the Instructor Evaluation at your own pace. The possibilities are endless – start your scuba diving instructor career now!

It is easy for dive skills to get rusty and to lose confidence when you have not dived for a while. With the SSI Scuba Skills Update, we will get you back in the water and diving with ease in no time. This scuba refresher course allows you to review and practice scuba skills you learned in your Open Water Diver program, under the guidance of an SSI Professional. This is a great course to take just before a dive holiday, so you spend less time worrying about your skills and more time admiring the marine life. If you are a non-certified Open Water Diver student, a Scuba Skills Update is ideal for practicing your dive skills before your open water training dives. With no fixed course duration, you can take your time and focus on the skills you need help with.