Entry – Level Programs
Entry - Level Programs
- React Right Programs
- Ecology Specialty Programs
- Referral Diver
- Scuba Diver (ISO 24801-1)
- Open Water Diver (ISO 24801-2)
- Advanced Adventurer
- Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) 32 and 40 (ISO 11107)
- Science Of Diving
- Perfect Buoyancy
- Photo & Video
React Right Programs
Intent
The SSI React Right program provides students with the knowledge and training to act as a first responder and provide first aid and CPR, administer oxygen and/or provide Automated External Defibrillator (AED) support in a medical emergency.
Each portion of the React Right program (First Aid and CPR, Oxygen Provider, and AED Provider) may be taught individually or in any combination of the three sections.
Student Prerequisites
Minimum age | 12 years old.
Duration
- Recommended hours for completion | 8-12.
- First Aid and CPR | 5 hours
- AED Provider | 1 hour
- Oxygen Provider | 2 hours
Certification
- Upon completion of all academic and practical training scenario requirements, an SSI React Right Instructor may issue the program’s digital certification card.
- SSI React Right certification qualifies the holder to act as a first responder in medical emergencies similar to their training for a period of two years after the certification is issued.
- Certified React Right divers may use the React Right certification to fulfill the prerequisites for the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue certification, and all SSI professional training programs.
Credit
Students with a certification from a recognized training agency may upgrade to the React Right certification by:
- Purchasing the React Right digital learning.
- Completing a React Right Update for each applicable certification.
- Completing a final exam for each applicable certification.
Ecology Specialty Programs
Intent
- The SSI Ecology specialty programs provide students with basic knowledge and skills needed to identify various species of marine organisms and explains their role in the ocean’s ecosystems.
- Ecology Specialties
- Coral Identification
- Fish Identification
- Manta And Ray Ecology
- Marine Invertebrate Ecology
- Marine Ecology
- Marine Mammal Ecology
- Nudibranch Ecology
- Sea Turtle Ecology
- Shark Ecology
Note | These programs do not have mandatory in-water training requirements. SSI Professionals are encouraged to add in-water training to increase the value of the program. If in-water training is conducted, the standards must be followed based on the type of activity (scuba, snorkel, freedive).
Student Prerequisites
If in-water training is conducted:
- Snorkel students
Minimum age | 6 years old.
Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
- Snorkel Diver
- Scuba students
Minimum age | 10 years old.
Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
- Referral Diver
Students may enroll in SSI specialty programs and complete all academic and pool/confined water sessions. Open water training dives for all specialties cannot be combined with open water training dives for entry-level programs, and must be conducted after completion of all in-water training for the entry-level program.
Duration
- Recommended hours for completion | 3-6.
Depth Limitations
If in-water training is conducted:
Snorkel students
- Maximum open water depth limit | 5 meters.
Scuba students
- Maximum pool/confined water depth limit | 5 meters.
- Maximum open water depth limit: 30 meters.
- Maximum open water depth limit for 12- to 14-year-olds | 18 meters.
- Maximum open water depth limit for 10- and 11-year-olds | 12 meters.
Requirements For Completion
- Complete all academic sessions and assessments outlined in the applicable instructor manual.
- Complete the program’s final exam.
Certification
- Upon completion of all academic requirements, the SSI Professional may issue the program’s digital certification card.
- Certified SSI divers can dive with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits of their certifications.
- Students younger than 15 years old will be certified as an SSI Junior Diver in the applicable program, and can dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional, or with a certified adult, in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
Referral Diver
The SSI Referral Diver program provides students with the knowledge and training necessary to dive autonomously with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in a pool/confined water environment equivalent with their training until they can complete their open water training.
A student that completes all the academic sections and pool/confined water sessions for the Open Water Diver program can be issued the Referral Diver digital card with the intent of completing their open water training dives at a later date, and/or with another SSI Training Center.
The digital Referral Diver card is available in the student’s MySSI account, and their progress can be viewed by any affiliated SSI Training Center.
Student Prerequisites
Minimum age 10 years old
Duration
16 – 20 hours
Depth Limitations
Maximum Pool/ Confined water depth limit 5 meters.
Requirements For Completion
Complete all academic sections and assessments outlined in the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Complete an Open Water Diver final exam.
Complete all pool/confined water sessions and skill evaluations outlined in the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Complete the Student Water Fitness Evaluation outlined in the SSI General Training Standards. Water fitness evaluations must be completed before participating in any open water training dives.
Certification
Upon completion of all academic and pool/confined water requirements, including the Student Water Fitness Evaluation and final exam, an Open Water Instructor may issue a digital Referral Diver certification card.
Certified Referral Divers may dive autonomously with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in a pool environment equivalent with their training.
Upgrades
To upgrade a Referral Diver to Scuba Diver, Indoor Diver, or Open Water Diver:
The SSI Professional completing the open water training dives must upgrade the student in MySSI in order for them to receive their digital certification card.
Open water training dives for all SSI programs must be completed within six (6) months of the last academic or in-water training session.
If it has been more than six (6) months from the issue date of the Referral Diver certification, a qualified SSI Professional must conduct a re-evaluation (both knowledge and skill review) to determine if the student is sufficiently proficient to continue to the open water training dives.
If it has been more than 12 months since the student’s last in-water session, the student must complete a Scuba Skills Update and retake the Open Water Diver final exam.
Scuba Diver (ISO 24801-1)
Intent
The SSI Scuba Diver program provides students with the knowledge and training necessary to dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional, in environments equivalent with their training and to depths shallower than 12 meters.
Student Prerequisites
Minimum age | 10 years old.
Duration
Recommended hours for completion | 10-16.
Depth Limitations
Maximum pool/confined water depth limit | 5 meters.
Minimum open water depth limit | 5 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit | 12 meters.
Requirements For Completion
Complete Academic Sections 1-3 and assessments as outlined in the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Complete a Scuba Diver final exam.
Complete at least three (3) pool/confined water sessions and the skill evaluations outlined in Pool/Confined Water Sessions 1-3 of the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Complete the Student Water Fitness Evaluation outlined in the SSI General Training Standards. Water fitness evaluations must be completed before participating in any open water training dives.
Complete at least two (2) open water training dives on scuba and the skill evaluations outlined in Open Water Training Dives 1-2 of the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Certification
Upon completion of all academic and in-water requirements, including a water fitness evaluation and final exam, an Open Water Instructor may issue the Scuba Diver digital certification card.
Certified Scuba Divers can dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional in environments equivalent to their training and to depths shallower than 12 meters.
Students younger than 15 years old will be certified as a Junior Scuba Diver and can dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
Upgrades
To upgrade to Open Water Diver, a Scuba Diver must:
Complete the remaining requirements and assessments of Academic Sections 4-6 outlined in the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Complete an Open Water Diver final exam with a passing score of at least 80%.
Complete three (3) additional pool/confined water sessions and the skill evaluations outlined in Pool/Confined Water Sessions 4-6 of the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Complete two (2) additional open water training dives and the skill evaluations outlined in Open Water Training Dives 3 and 4 of the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Open Water Diver (ISO 24801-2)
Intent
The SSI Open Water Diver program provides students with the knowledge and training necessary to dive autonomously with an equally- or more-qualified buddy, in environments equivalent with their training and to depths shallower than 18 meters.
Student Prerequisites
Minimum age | 10 years old.
Duration
Recommended hours for completion | 16-32.
Minimum total bottom time for open water training dives | 80 minutes.
Depth Limitations
Maximum pool/confined water depth limit | 5 meters.
Minimum open water depth limit | 5 meters.
Maximum depth limit for Open Water Training Dives 1 and 2 | 12 meters.
Maximum depth limit for all remaining open water training dives | 18 meters.
Maximum depth limit for 10- and 11-year-olds | 12 meters.
Requirements For Completion
Complete all academic sections and assessments outlined in the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Complete an Open Water Diver final exam.
Complete all pool/confined water sessions and skill evaluations outlined in the instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Complete the Student Water Fitness Evaluation outlined in the SSI General Training Standards. Water fitness evaluations must be completed before participating in any open water training dives.
Complete at least four (4) open water training dives on scuba and all of the skill evaluations outlined in instructor manual for Open Water Diver.
Sequence
Open Water Training Dive 1 may be conducted prior to completing the academic requirements and pool/confined water requirements for the program. This dive must meet the requirements of the Open Water Training Dive from the Basic Diver program.
Open Water Training Dive 2 may only be conducted after all requirements and evaluations for Academic Sessions 1-3 and Pool/Confined Water Sessions 2-3 of the instructor manual for Open Water Diver have been met or exceeded.
Open Water Training Dives 3-4 may only be conducted after all requirements and evaluations for Academic Sessions 1-6 and Pool/Confined Water Sessions 4-6 of the instructor manual for Open Water Diver have been met or exceeded.
The skills from Pool/Confined Water Session 1 may be combined with any/all in-water training sessions, but must be completed prior to certification.
Certification
Upon completion of all academic and in-water requirements, including a water fitness evaluation and final exam, an Open Water Instructor may issue the Open Water Diver digital certification card.
Certified Open Water Divers can dive with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
Students younger than 15 years old will be certified as a Junior Open Water Diver and must dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional or with a certified adult in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
Advanced Adventurer
Intent
The SSI Advanced Adventurer provides certified divers an introduction into five (5) different SSI specialty programs under the direct supervision of an SSI Professional.
The first open water training dive from the following specialty programs can be counted toward the Advanced Adventurer program:
- Boat Diving
- Deep Diving
- Dry Suit Diving
- Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN)
- Navigation
- Night & Limited Visibility
- Perfect Buoyancy
- Photo & Video
- DPV Diving
- Search & Recovery
- Waves, Tides & Currents
- Wreck Diving
Student Prerequisites
Minimum age for each Adventure Dive is defined in the program-specific standards.
Minimum age for the Deep Diving Adventure Dive | 12 years old.
Have at least one (1) of the following SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency: Open Water Diver
Duration
Recommended hours for completion | 10-15.
Depth Limitations
Maximum pool/confined water depth limit | 5 meters.
Minimum open water depth limit | 5 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit | 30 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit for 12- to 14-year-old students during training dives is 18 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit for 12- to 14-year-old students during the Deep Diving Adventure Dive is 21 meters.
Maximum depth limit for 10- and 11-year-olds | 12 meters.
Requirements For Completion
Complete any academic sessions and assessments as outlined in the instructor manual for Advanced Adventurer.
Complete at least five (5) different SSI Adventure Dives.
Certification
Upon completion of all academic and in-water requirements, an Open Water Instructor may issue the Advanced Adventurer digital certification card.
Certified Advanced Adventurers can dive with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
Students younger than 15 years old will be certified as a Junior Advanced Adventurer and can dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional or with a certified adult in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
Credit
Students may apply the dives completed in their Advanced Adventurer program toward the first training dive of the individual specialty programs.
The first dive of any qualifying specialty program may also be credited as the applicable Adventure Dive for the Advanced Adventurer program.
There is no time limit for issuing credit for completed dives.
Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) 32 and 40 (ISO 11107)
Intent
The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox programs provide students with basic knowledge and skills needed to safely dive using breathing gas with enriched gas mixtures.
There are two possible certifications for this program:
Enriched Air Nitrox 32
Enriched Air Nitrox 40 (ISO 11107)
Note | The Enriched Air Nitrox 32 certification qualifies the diver to use gas mixtures up to and including EAN32. The SSI Training Center that provides the diver’s breathing gas is solely responsible for gas analysis.
Student Prerequisites
Minimum age | 10 years old.
Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
Referral Diver
Or
Diving Knowledge specialty programs may be combined with an Open Water Diver program.
Note | SSI Referral Divers may enroll in SSI specialty programs and complete all academic and pool/confined water sessions. Open water training dives for all specialties cannot be combined with open water training dives for entry-level programs, and must be conducted after completion of all in-water training for the Open Water Diver program.
Duration
Recommended hours for completion | 3-6.
Depth Limitations
If in-water training is conducted:
Maximum pool/confined water depth limit | 5 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit | 30 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit for 12- to 14-year-olds | 18 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit for 10- and 11-year-olds | 12 meters.
Requirements For Completion
Enriched Air Nitrox 32
Complete Academic Sessions 1-3 as outlined in the instructor manual for Enriched Air Nitrox.
Complete the program’s final exam.
Prior to certification, the student must be certified as an SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent.
Enriched Air Nitrox 40
Complete all academic sessions as outlined in the instructor manual for Enriched Air Nitrox.
Complete the program’s final exam.
Complete the practical application session outlined in the instructor manual for Enriched Air Nitrox.
Prior to certification, the student must be certified as an SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent.
Certification
Upon completion of all academic requirements, the SSI Professional may issue the program’s digital certification card.
Certified SSI divers can dive with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits of their certifications.
Students younger than 15 years old will be certified as an SSI Junior Diver in the applicable program, and can dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional, or with a certified adult, in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
Certified Enriched Air Nitrox 32 divers must have the percent of oxygen in their breathing gas verified by a dive professional prior to every dive.
Credit
Students may earn either Enriched Air Nitrox certification in combination with the Open Water Diver certification by completing all the required academic and practical application sessions from the Enriched Air Nitrox program during their Open Water Diver training.
Students may use nitrox during the in-water training portion of the Open Water Diver program once they have completed the academic and practical application sessions outlined in the instructor manual for Enriched Air Nitrox.
The instructor who directly supervises the students during training must be an active status Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor.
Science Of Diving
Intent
The SSI Science of Diving program provides students with an in-depth study of diving physics, diving physiology, decompression theory, the aquatic environment, and diving equipment.
Student Prerequisites
Minimum age | 10 years old.
Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
Referral Diver
Or
Diving Knowledge specialty programs may be combined with an Open Water Diver program.
Note | SSI Referral Divers may enroll in SSI specialty programs and complete all academic and pool/confined water sessions. Open water training dives for all specialties cannot be combined with open water training dives for entry-level programs, and must be conducted after completion of all in-water training for the Open Water Diver program.
Duration
Recommended hours for completion | 8-12.
Depth Limitations
If in-water training is conducted:
Maximum pool/confined water depth limit | 5 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit | 30 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit for 12- to 14-year-olds | 18 meters.
Requirements For Completion
Complete all academic sessions and assessments outlined in the instructor manual for Science of Diving.
Complete the program’s final exam.
Prior to certification, the student must be certified as an SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent.
Certification
Upon completion of all academic requirements, the SSI Professional may issue the program’s digital certification card.
Certified SSI divers can dive with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits of their certifications.
Students younger than 15 years old will be certified as an SSI Junior Diver in the applicable program, and can dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional, or with a certified adult, in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
Maximum open water depth limit for 10- and 11-year-olds | 12 meters.
Perfect Buoyancy
Intent
The SSI Perfect Buoyancy program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their diving position and buoyancy control, and to safely minimize their breathing gas consumption.
Student Prerequisites
Minimum age | 10 years old.
Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
Referral Diver
Note | SSI Referral Divers may enroll in SSI specialty programs and complete all academic and pool/confined water sessions. Open water training dives for all specialties cannot be combined with open water training dives for entry-level programs, and must be conducted after completion of all in-water training for the Open Water Diver program.
Duration
Recommended hours for completion | 5-10.
Depth Limitations
Maximum pool/confined water depth limit | 5 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit | 30 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit for 12- to 14-year-olds | 18 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit for 10- and 11-year-olds | 12 meters.
Requirements For Completion
Complete all academic sessions and assessments outlined in the instructor manual for Perfect Buoyancy.
Complete the program’s final exam.
Complete at least two (2) in-water training sessions as outlined in the instructor manual for Perfect Buoyancy.
Prior to certification, the student must be certified as an SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent.
Certification
Upon completion of all academic and in-water requirements, the SSI Professional may issue the program’s digital certification card.
Certified SSI divers can dive with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits of their certifications.
Students younger than 15 years old will be certified as an SSI Junior Diver in the applicable program, and can dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional, or with a certified adult, in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
Credit
Students may earn the Perfect Buoyancy certification in combination with the Open Water Diver certification by completing all the required academic and pool/confined water sessions from the Perfect Buoyancy program during their Open Water Diver training.
The instructor who directly supervises the students during training must be an active status Perfect Buoyancy Specialty Instructor.
Photo & Video
Intent
The SSI Photo and Video program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to safely dive while using an underwater camera.
Student Prerequisites
Minimum age | 10 years old.
Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:
Referral Diver
Note | SSI Referral Divers may enroll in SSI specialty programs and complete all academic and pool/confined water sessions. Open water training dives for all specialties cannot be combined with open water training dives for entry-level programs, and must be conducted after completion of all in-water training for the Open Water Diver program.
Duration
Recommended hours for completion | 5-10.
Depth Limitations
Maximum pool/confined water depth limit | 5 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit | 30 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit for 12- to 14-year-olds | 18 meters.
Maximum open water depth limit for 10- and 11-year-olds | 12 meters.
Requirements For Completion
Complete all academic sessions and assessments outlined in the instructor manual for Photo and Video.
Complete the program’s final exam.
Complete at least two (2) in-water training sessions as outlined in the instructor manual for Photo and Video.
Prior to certification, the student must be certified as an SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent.
Certification
Upon completion of all academic and in-water requirements, the SSI Professional may issue the program’s digital certification card.
Certified SSI divers can dive with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits of their certifications.
Students younger than 15 years old will be certified as an SSI Junior Diver in the applicable program, and can dive under the direct supervision of a dive professional, or with a certified adult, in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits.
