Scuba Schools International
Encyclopedia
Scuba Schools International or SSI is an organization that teaches the skills involved in scuba diving
and supports Dive Businesses and Dive Resorts.
SSI has well over 2,500 authorized dealers and 35 Regional Centers and Area Offices all over the World.
Scuba Schools International offers internationally recognized Scuba Training Programs for all levels - starting with Snorkeling and entry level diving courses up to Instructor Certifiers. The most common Programs are: SSI Open Water Diver (OWD), Advanced Open Water Diver
(AOWD), more than 30 different Specialty Courses (like EAN Nitrox, Deep diving
, Underwater navigation
, Night diving
and Limited Visibility and many more). Dive Leader Training Programs start with the Dive Control Specialist (who is qualified like Assistant Instructor) followed by Open Water Instructor and above.
SSI's training Program for Kids 8-12 Years is called Scuba Rangers.
The Training Program for technical Divers is called TechXR (Technical Extended Range) and includes decompression diving, trimix and other courses that exceed the limit for recreational divers.
SSI Scuba Training programs are certified/recognized throughout the world (such as RSTC - Recreational Scuba Training Council
, EUF - European Underwater Federation, CUA - China Underwater Association and others).
Founded in 1970 SSI was one of the pioneers of professional Scuba Training. They were the first organization to present a complete Training Program including full motion video and they pioneered some areas of Diving Education.
A major difference between SSI and other diver education organizations like PADI
, NAUI, CMAS
and others is that SSI is a Retail based organization, intended to ensure the quality of training worldwide.
SSI is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado
and is owned by Concept Systems International, Inc. It was founded by Robert Clark in 1970. In 2008 it was acquired by Doug McNeese (owner of NASDS until the merger with SSI in 1999) and Robert Stoss (Manager Scubapro and Seemann Sub) - both being icons in the Dive industry for years.
Scuba Schools International is a member of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council
.
Scuba Schools International received ISO certification on June 1st 2010.
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
and supports Dive Businesses and Dive Resorts.
SSI has well over 2,500 authorized dealers and 35 Regional Centers and Area Offices all over the World.
Scuba Schools International offers internationally recognized Scuba Training Programs for all levels - starting with Snorkeling and entry level diving courses up to Instructor Certifiers. The most common Programs are: SSI Open Water Diver (OWD), Advanced Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver is a scuba diving certification level provided by several diver training agencies, such as Professional Association of Diving Instructors , Scuba Schools International and Underwater Explorers' Federation...
(AOWD), more than 30 different Specialty Courses (like EAN Nitrox, Deep diving
Deep diving
The meaning of the term deep diving is a form of technical diving. It is defined by the level of the diver's diver training, diving equipment, breathing gas, and surface support:...
, Underwater navigation
Underwater navigation
Underwater navigation is the common reference term for navigation techniques learned by Scuba divers in order to accurately navigate in an underwater environment....
, Night diving
Night diving
Night diving is a type of recreational diving which takes place in darkness. The diver can experience a different underwater environment at night, because many marine animals are nocturnal....
and Limited Visibility and many more). Dive Leader Training Programs start with the Dive Control Specialist (who is qualified like Assistant Instructor) followed by Open Water Instructor and above.
SSI's training Program for Kids 8-12 Years is called Scuba Rangers.
The Training Program for technical Divers is called TechXR (Technical Extended Range) and includes decompression diving, trimix and other courses that exceed the limit for recreational divers.
SSI Scuba Training programs are certified/recognized throughout the world (such as RSTC - Recreational Scuba Training Council
World Recreational Scuba Training Council
The World Recreational Scuba Training Council or was founded in 1999 and is dedicated to creating minimum recreational diving training standards for the various scuba diving certification agencies across the world. The WRSTC restricts its membership to national or regional councils...
, EUF - European Underwater Federation, CUA - China Underwater Association and others).
Founded in 1970 SSI was one of the pioneers of professional Scuba Training. They were the first organization to present a complete Training Program including full motion video and they pioneered some areas of Diving Education.
A major difference between SSI and other diver education organizations like PADI
Padi
Padi or PADI may refer to:* Padi, Chennai, India* Padi , a musical group* Paddy field, a type of cultivated land * Professional Association of Diving Instructors, a scuba organization...
, NAUI, CMAS
CMAS
CMAS may stand for:* Commercial Mobile Alert System, a system for distributing emergency alerts to mobile devices* Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques, the international umbrella organization for underwater sports, both competitive and recreational * CMAS* SCUBA Diver, a diving...
and others is that SSI is a Retail based organization, intended to ensure the quality of training worldwide.
SSI is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins is a Home Rule Municipality situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, and is the county seat and most populous city of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Fort Collins is located north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2010 census...
and is owned by Concept Systems International, Inc. It was founded by Robert Clark in 1970. In 2008 it was acquired by Doug McNeese (owner of NASDS until the merger with SSI in 1999) and Robert Stoss (Manager Scubapro and Seemann Sub) - both being icons in the Dive industry for years.
Scuba Schools International is a member of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council
World Recreational Scuba Training Council
The World Recreational Scuba Training Council or was founded in 1999 and is dedicated to creating minimum recreational diving training standards for the various scuba diving certification agencies across the world. The WRSTC restricts its membership to national or regional councils...
.
Scuba Schools International received ISO certification on June 1st 2010.
SSI Snorkeling certifications
- SSI Snorkel DiverSnorkelingSnorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
- SSI specialty: Snorkel Shark Diving (not in every country)
- SSI specialty: Snorkel Digital Underwater photographyUnderwater photographyUnderwater photography is the process of taking photographs while under water. It is usually done while scuba diving, but can be done while snorkeling or swimming.-Overview:...
SSI recreational diving certifications
- SSI Indoor Diver (not in every country)
- SSI Junior Scuba Diver
- SSI Scuba Diver
- SSI Junior Open Water DiverOpen Water DiverOpen Water Diver is an entry-level full diver certification for scuba diving. Although different agencies use different names, similar entry-level courses are offered by all diving agencies and consist of a combination of knowledge development , confined water dives and open water dives...
- SSI Open Water DiverOpen Water DiverOpen Water Diver is an entry-level full diver certification for scuba diving. Although different agencies use different names, similar entry-level courses are offered by all diving agencies and consist of a combination of knowledge development , confined water dives and open water dives...
- SSI Advance Adventurer (not in every country)
- SSI Specialty Diver
- SSI Advanced Open Water DiverAdvanced Open Water DiverAdvanced Open Water Diver is a scuba diving certification level provided by several diver training agencies, such as Professional Association of Diving Instructors , Scuba Schools International and Underwater Explorers' Federation...
- SSI Diver Stress & RescueRescue DiverRescue Diver is a scuba diving certification level provided by several diver training agencies, such as PADI, SSI, SDI, and NAUI, which emphasises emergency response and diver rescue....
- SSI Master DiverMaster SCUBA DiverMaster Scuba Diver is a scuba diving certification level provided by several North American diver training agencies, such as National Association of Underwater Instructors , Professional Association of Diving Instructors , Scuba Diving International , and Scuba Schools International .Although the...
SSI professional certifications
- SSI Dive Guide (DG)
- SSI DivemasterDivemasterA Divemaster is a diving qualification used throughout most of the world in scuba diving for a diver who has overall responsibility for a group of divers...
(DM = DG + Science of Diving) - SSI SnorkelSnorkelingSnorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
Instructor - SSI Dive Control Specialist (DCS = DM + Snorkel instr. + Diving assistant instr.)
- SSI Training Specialist (TS = DCS + limited specialties instructor)
- SSI Open WaterOpen Water DiverOpen Water Diver is an entry-level full diver certification for scuba diving. Although different agencies use different names, similar entry-level courses are offered by all diving agencies and consist of a combination of knowledge development , confined water dives and open water dives...
Instructor (OWI) - SSI Specialty Instructor (SI = OWI + 2 specialties instr.)
- SSI Advanced Open WaterAdvanced Open Water DiverAdvanced Open Water Diver is a scuba diving certification level provided by several diver training agencies, such as Professional Association of Diving Instructors , Scuba Schools International and Underwater Explorers' Federation...
Instructor (AOWI = OWI + 4 specialties) - SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
- SSI Master InstructorMaster InstructorA Master Instructor in scuba diving is one of the highest levels of professional training in North American based diver training organizations, usually only one step below Course Director for the Instructor Development Course ....
- SSI Instructor Trainer
- SSI Instructor Certifier