SSI's new Education Model

[b1draper]

I was just looking at SSI's new education model and they've actually got a classification for training equivalent to PADI's "Advanced OpenWater" it's called "Advanced Adventurer". Check out this model and let me know what you think. I think it's pretty well laid out.

How Far Do You Want to go?

To be a diver that is completely prepared for any diving situation that may occur, you will need the experience and training gained from SSI Specialty Courses. Taking our courses is your chance to begin a journey that explores beyond the surface of diving.

Each course will provide you with the proper knowledge and skills to truly consider yourself an experienced diver. Our goal is to prepare you for the adventure that lies ahead, as well as make sure you have a good time doing it!

Taking a specific number of specialties and continuing your pursuit of dives allows you to earn higher levels of diver ratings. SSI’s ratings are the only ratings in the industry that combine training and experience requirements, proving that SSI ratings are truly earned.


SSI Advanced Adventurer
Directly after the Open Water course Advanced Adventurer is the entry to continuing education, especially for those divers who cannot decide which specialty courses they want to learn. During the Advanced Adventurer Program you will have the chance to try out 5 different specialties. You will complete one open water training dive per specialty in order to get a better understanding for each specialty area. Later, you can choose to complete all or just a few of your selected speciaties through a Specialty Course by completing the second dive and finishing all academic requirements.

SSI Specialty Diver
SSI’s intermediate diver rating is higher than any other agency’s advanced courses. To earn the certification for Specialty Diver, you must complete 2 specialty courses and have done a total of 12 dives.

SSI Advanced Open Water Diver

SSI’s Advanced Diver rating stands alone in the industry with the highest combination of diving knowledge and experience. No other agency’s advanced diver level compares. To earn the certification for Advanced Open Water Diver, you must complete 4 specialty courses and have done a total of 24 dives.

SSI Master Diver

SSI’s Master Diver rating is one of the most elite ratings in diving today. Divers that have completed this level have combined the knowledge, skills and experience to truly call themselves Master Divers. To earn the certification for Master Diver, you must complete 5 specialty courses and have done a total of 50 dives.

[rox@ucf11]

I think it sounds like a mouth full but its good they are moving foreward with an aow type course, on the otherhand for master diver 5 specialties and 50 dives just doesnt seem like enought to call yourself this. (does this mean you dive solo or are certd to do so because it does in naui)

However that being said I do like that there is a minimum dive# requirement in some of the classes

Is there no rescue class in SSI?

[BSea]

Originally Posted by rox@ucf11

Is there no rescue class in SSI?

Rescue is required for Master Diver. I think "MASTER DIVER" is somewhat of a useless rating. I think it's more about getting the extra money. However, if you already have 4 specialties, and wanted to get rescue, then you'd get a Master Diver Card vrs. an AOW Card. That's how I got mine. I was taking the classes for AOW, and when it came time to order my card, my instructor asked me if I wanted to take any more courses. I told him no, but that I did take a PADI equipment course years ago. He said that would count, so he ordered me a Master Diver Card instead of an AOW Card. I then took the Aqua Lung Equipment Service courses, so I guess I'd have enough credits anyway. I'm surprised they don't show any Cards for their new tech stuff.

[b1draper]

Originally Posted by rox@ucf11

I think it sounds like a mouth full but its good they are moving foreward with an aow type course, on the otherhand for master diver 5 specialties and 50 dives just doesnt seem like enought to call yourself this. (does this mean you dive solo or are certd to do so because it does in naui)

However that being said I do like that there is a minimum dive# requirement in some of the classes

Is there no rescue class in SSI?

SSI has always required the AOW to have 4 specialties and 24 dives. The "Advanced Adventure" cert is a new cert level that is actually the equivalent to PADI's AOW. Both PADI and SSI require that a diver complete 5 specialties and at least 50 dives before they reach the Master Diver level. With the Master Diver rating from either SSI or PADI it does not certify you to dive solo it just distinguishes that you've achieved a "higher" level of training past what's required for AOW.

Both SSI and PADI also require that you complete a Diver Stress/Rescue class as one of the 5 specialties and have current training in CPR/First Aid and AED use. So, I guess if you figure that a Master Diver has the 5 specialties, First Aid/CPR and AED training plus at least 50 dives that's a good chunk of training. Plus you've pretty much met the requirements to start Dive Master/Dive Con training.

[b1draper]

Originally Posted by BSea

I'm surprised they don't show any Cards for their new tech stuff.

They do have the information for the Tech classes it's just on a different page.

http://dive-ssi.com/techxr

[rox@ucf11]

ahh thanks for the info Brian