Science of Diving

The Divemaster program is the first step in an exciting adventure. Earn the respect of your buddies and become an ambassador for diving by taking the Divemaster course. To get started, all you need is 40 logged dives and certifications in deep diving, navigation, night diving and low-visibility diving, or at least 5 logged dives in each, as well as stress management and diver rescue training. Upon successful completion of the Divemaster program, you will be certified as a Dive Guide. Training takes place over several weekends or by immersion in our teams; contact us for more information. If you'd like to turn your passion into a profession by guiding certified divers, running ecology programs, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself, the next step is the Divemaster specialization, which requires a minimum of 60 logged dives. Reach Divemaster status immediately or later by studying the Science of Diving teaching materials and passing the digital final exam that will earn you SSI Professional certification.

Becoming an SSI Specialty Instructor is easy. Continue your diver training as an instructor by enrolling in a Specialty Instructor seminar for each of the diving specialties you wish to teach. You can also co-teach the specialty you're interested in with an experienced Specialty Instructor, or request verification of your experience and send it directly to SSI. The specialties taught at Nautilus are numerous: Deep, Nitrox, Night, Decompression, DPV, Navigation, (Advanced) Wreck, Boat Diving, Computer, Independent, Photo & Video, Sidemount, Science of Diving, Search&Recovery... as well as all ecological specialties. Teach more specialties to automatically qualify as an Advanced Open Water Instructor.

Becoming an SSI React Right Instructor allows you to train divers and non-divers in emergency rescue techniques, increasing your professional value and teaching scope. This one-day certification is essential for instructors wishing to become Divemaster Instructor and progress beyond.

React Right is the SSI Emergency First Response course, providing you with the training and knowledge you need to act as a first responder in a medical emergency. In this flexible program, you can choose the topics you want to cover, including initial assessment, first aid, CPR and key stabilization techniques. You can also learn how to administer oxygen in a diving emergency and the basics of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Through theoretical sessions and practical scenarios, this program will give you the confidence you need to intervene in an emergency. Once certified, you'll be able to act as a first responder, providing first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administering oxygen and providing AED assistance in medical emergencies. Get your React Right SSI specialty certification. Get started today!

This world-renowned certification program is the best way to start your adventures of a lifetime as a certified diver. Customized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to give you the skills and experience you need to be truly comfortable underwater. You'll earn your Open Water Diver SSI certification.

If you're not sure which specialty to choose, choose the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You'll learn about deep diving and navigation, plus a choice of three other specialties, before committing to a full course. It's the ideal way to familiarize yourself with advanced diver training and its importance for your underwater adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver program, you'll explore five different specialties by doing a training dive in the open water for each specialty, after a full briefing with your SSI instructor. This program gives you total freedom of exploration. You'll be able to take full specialty courses at a later date, and use your Advanced Open Water Diver training to gain access to them.

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your dive times and safety margins, and shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you'll learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge while learning to plan and dive safely with enriched air mixtures containing up to 40% oxygen. On completion of this program, you will be awarded SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.

Mixing gases correctly is essential for safe breathing underwater. The SSI Gas Blender program teaches you the skills and concepts needed to safely mix helium-based nitrox and trimix gases. This no-dive program is open to both certified and non-certified divers, and teaches the correct use of mathematics, gas blending software, physics and techniques needed to mix breathing gases safely. Upon completion of this program, you'll earn Nitrox Gas Blender SSI or Trimix Gas Blender SSI certification. Start online today!

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you everything you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mix of theory sessions and open water dives. You'll learn how to safely plan and execute your deep diving adventures, and how to use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most out of your deep dives. On completion of this course, you'll receive your Deep Diving SSI Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for certain additional training courses, making it the next logical step in your diver training.

The SSI Decompression Diving Specialty will teach you to dive beyond the no-decompression limits. You'll learn how to plan and execute dives to a maximum depth of 40 meters with limited decompression, using your recreational diving equipment and a decompression cylinder. You'll learn how to use your dive computer's functions effectively, including gas change, reserve and surface times. Using these computer functions will become second nature, allowing you to safely perform limited decompression dives without having to spend hours planning the dive. Upon completion of this course, you'll earn Decompression Diving SSI certification and be able to explore beautiful deep sites or large wrecks without being restricted by no-decompression limits. The possibilities for your diving adventures have just expanded!

Underwater photography presents some challenges not found on land, but with the SSI Photo & Video Specialty Program, you'll soon learn how to capture your incredible underwater experiences. This program provides the in-depth knowledge you need to dive with an underwater camera and properly use, maintain and store your equipment. You'll develop your skills and learn techniques for taking underwater images and video safely and easily, and perfect your diving skills while using your underwater camera equipment. Learn how to take high-quality images that you can share with everyone, and earn your SSI Photo & Video Specialty Certification. Get started today!

Most of the best dive sites in the sea are wrecks. These structures attract unusually high densities of marine life and give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in history. The Advanced Wreck Diving SSI specialty will enable you to become a safe and confident wreck diver. This program is a no-decompression, limited penetration program and should not be confused with the Extended Range Wreck program. For more advanced confined and overhead programs, please contact us.

The Diver Stress and Rescue SSI specialty program teaches you the skills you need to protect yourself and other divers. You'll learn how to identify stress, prevent accidents and receive practical techniques for performing rescues and providing emergency care. Through a combination of practical pool and open water sessions, you'll become well prepared and confident in handling emergency and rescue situations. At the end of the course, you'll receive Diver Stress and Rescue SSI specialty certification.

Divers often find themselves alone on a dive, accidentally or otherwise. Nautilus' SSI Independent Diving course teaches how to dive independently, without relying on the traditional buddy system. As one of the most popular courses for dive professionals, the Independent Diver course focuses on dive planning, knowing your limits and accident prevention, as well as the benefits, risks and procedures of solo diving. You'll also learn how to use and correctly assemble the additional equipment required for solo diving. This course is ideal for underwater photographers and videographers, as well as for divers wishing to deepen their knowledge and gain confidence while diving.

The Perfect Buoyancy SSI specialty is the best way to improve your buoyancy and get the most out of every dive. Buoyancy is an essential diving skill, but any diver will tell you that it takes time to perfect. The Perfect Buoyancy Specialty will teach you advanced buoyancy skills and techniques, so you can master your buoyancy faster and enjoy more relaxed diving adventures. In this fascinating program, you'll also learn new skills that protect the environment and work in all diving situations. Upon completion of this course, you'll earn the Perfect Buoyancy SSI specialty certification. With improved buoyancy skills, you'll soon be able to glide with ease and take the underwater photos you've been dreaming of!