Open Water Diver

The Shark Ecology program at Scuba Schools International (SSI) is a theoretical specialty that teaches the ecological importance of sharks in marine ecosystems. Students learn about biology, behavior, species, current threats (such as overfishing and finning) and their fundamental role as top predators in maintaining the ocean's balance. It is an ideal course for divers and sea lovers who want to better understand sharks and promote their conservation.

If you can't decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You'll try Deep Diving and Navigation, plus a choice of 3 other specialties, before committing to full specialty training. It's a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you'll experience 5 different specialties by completing one open water training dive per specialty after a thorough briefing with your SSI Instructor. By completing this program you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full Specialty trainings at any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

The SSI Referral Diver program allows you to complete the academic and confined water (pool) sessions at one dive center, and complete your open water training dives at another destination. It's an excellent option if you want to do the theory and pool in your home town and complete the open water dives during your vacation. Once you successfully complete the theory and pool sessions, you will receive a referral document, valid for a limited time. You can then make your open water dives at any authorized SSI Dive Center in the world to earn your Open Water Diver certification. It's a flexible and convenient way to become a certified diver, especially if you're planning to travel to a tropical destination.

With the SSI Deep Diving Specialty, you'll learn everything you need to dive from 18 to 40 meters through a combination of academic sessions and open water dives. You'll learn how to plan and complete deep dives safely and how to use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most out of your deep dives. Upon completion, you'll earn your SSI Deep Diving specialty certification and be able to explore deep dive sites wherever you go. This SSI specialty is a prerequisite for some of the advanced dive programs, making it the recommended next step in your dive training.

SSI's Navigation specialty teaches you how to orient yourself underwater with confidence and accuracy. You will learn how to use both natural references and the compass to plan and conduct your dives safely and efficiently. What will you learn? Correct use of the dive compass Natural navigation techniques (relief, light, currents, seabed) Basic search patterns How to calculate distances underwater Planning and executing navigation routes How many dives are included? Typically includes: Academic session (theory) 2 open water training dives

The Perfect Buoyancy specialty is designed to help you perfect your buoyancy control and become a more relaxed, efficient and environmentally friendly diver. What will you learn? Correct amount and distribution of ballast Advanced breathing techniques to control buoyancy Better underwater position and trim (body alignment) How to stay effortlessly suspended in different positions Reduce air consumption through better control How many dives does it include? The program generally includes: Academic session (theory) 2 open water training dives Why take this specialty? Perfect buoyancy: Makes diving easier and more fun Reduces air consumption Protects marine life and reefs Improves safety and confidence Highly recommended for both new and experienced divers who wish to perfect their skills and improve their diving level.

Enroll in SSI's Science of Diving specialty to gain a thorough understanding of the underwater world and its effects on the human body. This specialty, which is required for completion of most SSI Professional programs as well as some Extended Range programs, is an excellent opportunity to expand your diving knowledge. It's available online, so you can earn your SSI Science of Diving specialty certification from home and prepare to start your career. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Science of Diving specialty certification and be halfway to completing the desired SSI Divemaster rating.

Marine Ecology – SSI Specialty The Marine Ecology Specialty from Scuba Schools International is designed to help divers understand how marine ecosystems function and how different species interact underwater. It is an excellent foundation for other ecology-based specialties such as Shark Ecology, Coral Identification, and Nudibranch Ecology.

Many of the ocean’s best dive sites are wrecks. These impressive structures attract unusually high densities of marine life and give you the chance to immerse in living history as you dive. There is nothing quite like wreck diving and the SSI Wreck Diving specialty will give you all the skills and knowledge you need to become a safe and confident wreck diver. With a combination of academic and confined water sessions, you will be taught how to safely conduct non-penetration dives around wrecks and artificial reefs, up to a depth of 30 meters. You will also get to practice your wreck diving skills during open water training dives. All of which will ensure you can enjoy wreck diving with confidence and get the most out of every dive. Upon completion of this program, you will earn your SSI Wreck Diving specialty certification. Continue your adventures and become a wreck diver. Get started online today!