Scuba Schools International (SSI) is a for-profit organization that teaches the skills involved in scuba diving and freediving, and supports dive businesses and resorts. SSI has over 3,500 authorized dealers, 35 regional centers, and offices all over the world.

History

SSI was founded by Robert Clark in 1970. SSI headquarters was in Fort Collins, Colorado, and it is owned by Concept Systems International, Inc. In 2008, it was acquired by Doug McNeese, owner of the National Association of Scuba Diving Schools (USA) until its merger with SSI in 1999, and Robert Stoss, manager of Scubapro and Seemann Sub. On January 1, 2014, SSI was acquired by HEAD, which also includes the Mares brand of diving equipment, HEAD NV, for €4.9m. The current SSI headquaters is located in Wendelstein, Bavaria.

Training

SSI offers internationally recognized recreational diver training programs - starting with snorkeling and entry level scuba diving courses up to instructor certifications. The most common programs are: SSI Open Water Diver (OWD) and Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD). There are more than 30 different specialty courses. Dive leader training programs start with the Assistant Instructor followed by Open Water Instructor and above. SSI's training program for children aged 8–12 years is called SSI Explorers. The training program for technical divers is called Extended Range and includes decompression diving, trimix and other courses that exceed the limit for recreational divers. Furthermore SSI offers courses in Freediving, Mermaiding, Swimming & Lifegaurd. SSI scuba certifications are recognized throughout the world (such as RSTC - Recreational Scuba Training Council, EUF - European Underwater Federation, CUA - China Underwater Association and others). The main difference to other dive training organizations is that SSI instructors are only allowed to teach at SSI Dive Centers or SSI accredited dive clubs that adopt a franchise-like concept. SSI is a member of the following councils of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council - the United States RSTC, the RSTC Europe and C-Card Council (Japan). It is also a member of the European Underwater Federation. SSI obtained CEN certification from the EUF certification body in 2005. It received their first ISO certification on June 1, 2010. Current ISO-certified programs within SSI:

Scuba & Extended Range Training

The SSI Training Standards outline the offered programs, their prerequisites and certification progression.

Non-certification programs

Entry-level scuba diving certification

In addition to the industry standard Open Water Diver (including Junior Open Water Diver for under 15s) qualification, SSI offers the following (which can be upgraded to Open Water certification with some additional training). The Open Water Diver complies with Autonomous diver, ISO 24801-2. The Autonomous diver level is variously described as the best, and most popular, introductory scuba qualification.

Progression beyond Open Water

After Open Water certification, progression mainly depends on completing Scuba Specialty Programs and logging certain numbers of dives.

Scuba specialty programs

Below are some of the speciality courses that can be completed as part of the above certifications.

Professional diving certifications

The SSI Training Standards outline the professional qualifications and progression.

Extended Range

Extended Range certifications

Technical Extended Range certifications

Professional certifications

Classified Diving

The SSI Classified Diving program provides adaptive training for students with limited mobility and/or sensory disorders, allowing them to dive with one or more Classified Dive Buddies, or a Classified Dive Professional. Through this program, individuals with disabilities or limited mobility who are medically cleared by a physician can experience the thrill of scuba diving. First in a pool/confined water environment, then potentially in the open water.

Public Safety Diving

Public Safety Divers are trained to provide critical services to the public, including search and rescue/recovery procedures, often in adverse conditions to include zero visibility. A Public Safety Diver is often involved in search, rescue, and recovery missions of water accident victims, assists law enforcement with investigations, and is often employed by local or national emergency services.

Freediving and Mermaid

===Freediving programs === === Freediving Professional Programs ===

Mermaid Programs

Mermaid Professional Programs

Swim and Lifeguard

Swim Programs

Swim Professional Programs

Lifeguard Programs

Lifeguard Professional Programs