Open Water Diver

Sea turtles are some of the most magnificent creatures to be found underwater. You'll want to dive with them even more often after completing the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology program! In this course, you'll learn all the skills and gain the knowledge you need to learn about and identify common sea turtle species. You will learn the passionate history of sea turtles, what their role is in marine ecosystems and what threatens their survival. Upon completion of the course, you will receive an SSI Sea Turtle Ecology certificate.

As a nitrox diver, you will lengthen your bottom times and increase your safety margin on challenging dives. In addition, you'll shorten surface breaks - so you can spend more time diving, not waiting! In this course, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge by learning about safe dive planning and performing dives with oxygen-enriched air up to 40% oxygen content. Upon completion of the course, you will receive your SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% Specialty Certificate.

In the Sidemount Diving course, you will learn everything you need to perform recreational diving with two sidemount cylinders to a maximum depth of 30 meters or to your certification depth, whichever is deeper. Sidemount cylinder diving is already a common practice among wreck and cave divers, but recreational divers are increasingly discovering the benefits of this style of diving. Without a heavy cylinder on your back, you will feel more comfortable and notice that your trim will improve without much effort. By using less energy, you can reduce your gas consumption, so you can make the most of your dive time. With better buoyancy control, easier access to valves and greater redundancy, sidemount cylinder diving offers safety and peace of mind when diving. You'll learn all the skills and knowledge you need to dive safely and comfortably with a two-bottle sidemount equipment setup.

Underwater photography presents photographers with challenges unknown on land. During the SSI Photo & Video specialization, you'll learn how to capture your amazing underwater experience in no time. This training provides the in-depth knowledge needed to dive with an underwater camera and properly use, maintain and store your equipment. You will develop the skills and learn the proper techniques to take photos and videos underwater easily and safely. You'll also improve your diving skills needed to operate your camera or camcorder. Learn how to take quality photos that you can show off to anyone and earn your SSI Photo & Video specialty certification. Get started today!

The SSI Deep Diving specialization will teach you everything you need to know to dive in the 18-40 meter range through a combination of theory classes and open water dives. You will learn how to plan and safely fulfill your deep diving dreams. You'll learn how to use your dive computer effectively and learn the calculations involved in gas consumption to enjoy deep dives to the fullest. Upon completion of the SSI Deep Diving Specialization, you will be certified and will be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites around the world. This SSI Specialization is also required before other more advanced courses, so it is a natural step in your diving development.

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

The Divemaster program, consisting of the Dive Guide and Science of Diving courses, is the first step in a unique journey. Earn the respect of your dive partners and become an ambassador of diving by participating in the program. All that is required to start the course and earn your Dive Guide credential is 40 verified/verified dives and Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility credentials or at least 5 logged/verified dives of each type plus the Diver Stress & Rescue course. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be a certified Dive Guide with Dive Guide privileges. If you want to turn your passion into a profession by guiding dives for certified divers, conducting Environmental Specialties, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself, the next step is Divemaster Upgrade. Requires 60 logged/verified dives. Do the Divemaster upgrade right away or at any time by reading the Science of Diving course materials yourself and passing the Digital Final Exam, which makes you an SSI Professional.

Become a diving instructor and live your passion To enroll in the SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC), you must be a certified Divemaster or hold an equivalent credential. This comprehensive program is part of SSI's 2-step approach to instructor training. It begins with a combined Instructor Training Course, supported by immersive digital learning. Upon successful completion of the ITC, you will take the Instructor Evaluation (IE) to become an SSI Open Water Instructor. As a certified instructor, you will be able to teach key SSI programs such as Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue and Dive Guide independently. Need more time or want to gain experience before becoming a full-fledged instructor? You can take the Assistant Instructor portion only. This will allow you to assist with real courses, gain valuable teaching experience, and then complete Instructor Evaluation at your own pace. The possibilities are endless - start your diving instructor career now!