DIVE PROFESSIONAL NEWSLETTER
FREE Online Training NEW Dive Professional Ratings UPDATED Insurance Option
Editorial The diving industry is moving and changing all the time due to political and economical influences. But this is not negative at all—it is just a structural change. We should stay positive even in times where everybody talks of a “crisis”. Just think of diving as the “affordable adventure” and other hard economic periods have already shown that diving is quite “recession proof”. There are people who are talking of lower certification numbers all over, but what does that really mean? Any Open Water Diver we teach is growth. It is a new diver we did not have before. Major players in the diving industry are still investing in the future because there are many new innovative products being developed and new diving destinations being discovered. So stay positive and use this time to focus on existing divers. Focus on customer retention by targeting the needs and desires of your existing divers. The customers of today have many recreational choices so diving is in direct competition with a variety of leisure activities. It is our responsibility to make diving a lifetime adventure for them. Enjoy reading this latest newsletter. We hope that you like the new design.
Sincerely
Dive Professional Newsletter No. 1 / 2009 Content Editorial
Page 3
Business Free Online Training
Page 4
Training Dive Professional—A New Beginning
Page 6
Products Digital Underwater Photography
Page 8
Members New Dive Centers—1st Quarter 2009
Page 10
Dive Leader Recognition—1st Quarter 2009
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News Press Releases & Worldwide News
Page 12
Service Updated Health Insurance in Resort Areas
Page 14
Guido Wätzig on behalf of the entire Team of the SSI European Service Center
DIVE PROFESSIONAL NEWS
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BUSINESS You said you wanted more students…well, here they come! Free OnlineTraining For Everybody! Well trained divers will not only feel safer in the water, they will also have more fun. How do you get involved quickly and easily? With SSI's Online Training! Surveys say that 24% of Americans would like to try diving. SSI’s Online Training is a FREE marketing tool to acquire people who would like to learn more about becoming a diver before they buy. Here’s what just a few Dive Centers had to say: “We put the free online training button on our website on a Friday evening. On Monday morning a customer walked in and said, I just finished my online training and I want to sign up for scuba class and get my personal equipment. After week 2, the customer decided to go ahead and get his own personally fitted, high quality, Total Diving System. Obviously, this new acquisition tool not only works, the customer knew exactly what was required on him. We love it! Thank you SSI, how much easier could it be than to have customers walking in ready to buy,” stated John Izler, Capital City Scuba, Lansing, MI. Jerry Holland, Planet Ocean, Columbus, GA stated, “In this economy, this marketing tool is just what the doctor ordered. Now it’s easy for customers to make a nonthreatening and intelligent decision to get started in scuba diving. Now, when a customer calls, we simply say, ‘Do you have access to the Internet? When they say yes, we say, “Would you like to get started today?’ SSI did it right by creating a FREE marketing tool for acquiring new entry level students. My customers like the quality and ease of the course,
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and they come into my store enthusiastic about getting started and buying equipment. It has been an incredible acquisition tool – Thank you SSI for your forward thinking and more importantly caring about me and my business!” “With SSI’s online OWD program, potential students can be converted to actual students almost immediately. Being able to start the academics without delay helps LDC register new students while offering that instant gratification and flexibility. That’s so important with today’s consumer,” stated Scott Hotchkiss, Lynnhaven Dive Center, VA. Hotchkiss continued, “Besides the obvious, the real difference is the SSI Online Training Supplement. Since the student did everything online, they don’t necessarily need an OWD manual. So, SSI created a review manual with interactive workshops to add more fun and sales opportunities to our classes while teaching the vital and important information that creates life-long divers. The Supplement also makes it possible to integrate our online students with our traditional home study customers, so scheduling is a breeze. Thank you SSI, what other surprises do we have to look forward to?” Jeff Davis, Aqua Hut, Toledo, OH stated, “This is the most powerful program I’ve ever seen come out of the diving industry. We have one
couple where the husband lives four hours away during the week and the wife lives in Toledo. They told us, ‘Without being able to try it in the convenience of our own home, we wouldn’t have taken up scuba. Now, we love diving and can’t wait to go to the ocean!’ “This program is limitless. We are now working with the Toledo Department of Education to offer Online Training as part of their academics this coming fall. The advantage is it’s FREE and a fun way for the school to teach pressure volume relationship, physics and physiology. We will offer the students who complete the program an introductory dive for a small fee. Just imagine, if you have a pool at your store or the school has a pool, you could easily offer small groups to Try Scuba for just $10 per child (ten in each group) and have just 5 groups each Friday. That’s $500 every Friday during the winter months, not counting any conversions to OWD or equipment sales. Without the program being FREE, we couldn’t be so creative. This program has so… much acquisition potential and I am going to explore them all. This is just the kind of innovation we expect from SSI,” continued Davis.
SCUBA SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL
Brian Grindy, Mac’s Sports, Clearwater, FL stated, “The first email we received was from out of the country – Holland. A couple was coming over for a month long vacation in March and wanted to learn to dive. Thanks to SSI’s new program, we were able to set them up with the online program before they arrived. The results were exactly what every dive store owner wishes for – equipment sales. They not only came in well prepared, they came in ready to buy and train in their own equipment. Obviously, we are very excited about the convenience and potential of this program.”
• Sign into the Training program
• Flexible format • Convenient, fun and interactive home study approach
• User friendly – easy to understand
• Can be integrated with traditional training
• Useful tool to help with new student acquisition
(click on the C-card or the Button “Sign in Here.”)
• Read the “Terms of Use” for the Open Water Diver Program
• Start the Course by clicking on the Button “open course”
• The Open Water Diver Program opens and the Avatars will guide you through the program
• Reaches a
new target audience
• Focuses on SSI Online Training Program Facts The SSI Online Training program is “THE” acquisition tool for new divers. SSI’s program is focused on bringing you new customers to your dive store where long-term relationships are developed. This type of an approach to online training will allow you to provide your customers a whole new element of convenience at no additional cost. Benefits
•
The consumer gets to experience the academic portion of SCUBA training FREE
the importance of your dive store
• Does not
affect your revenue
• Cost of
materials stays the same
• Students don’t feel ripped off by the Dive Center for having to pay twice
How to Sign up Go to www.diveSSI.com and log in as an SSI Dive Professional
• Click on the left navigation titled Online Training
• You will see a
list of Online Training Programs (currently SSI Open Water Diver only)
DIVE PROFESSIONAL NEWS
Required Products and Cost As per the Terms and Conditions, you are required to purchase either an Open Water Kit, or the Online Training Kit which includes the NEW Supplemental Manual for the online customers. Get Online and Try it! Please get online and try it today! It will be beneficial to you and your customers if you are familiar with how it all works. Scuba Schools International is the second largest certification agency and the single largest business support company in the world today. SSI has 27 international offices with their materials translated into 25 languages. SSI does business in 110 countries and is represented in more than 2,400 Dive Centers and Dive Resorts around the globe.
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TRAINING SSI DIVE PROFESSIONAL — A New Beginning From the time man had the urge to explore the underwater world, the pleasures were denied to the vast majority until scuba equipment was developed in its present form. Now that diving is accessible to anyone, there is a demand for people who have a passion for diving and want to share the experience with others. For SSI, that all starts with becoming a person who can lead dives – the SSI Dive Guide. The SSI Dive Guide mission is to inspire and influence others to grow in their diving experiences and increase your own knowledge, skills and experience by thinking, planning and leading dives. Since 1978, SSI has been a leader in professional education and the SSI Dive Guide program is a simple way to get divers
who want to be more involved without making the full commitment and taking the responsibility of becoming an SSI Instructor. The Dive Guide program is the first step and blueprint for becoming a professional dive leader. The Dive Guide program is a new approach with more practical application, more background information and more flexibility. This program forms the entry point into the SSI Leadership Levels and is still true to the original concept – a program only focusing what an SSI Dive Guide needs to know.
Science of Diving is a non-diving specialty that incorporates in-depth information on physics, physiology, decompression theory, equipment and aquatic environment.
The SSI Dive Guide training makes you a well-prepared,
Active Dive Control Specialists may:
Active Divemasters have completed the Science of Diving Specialty in addition to the Dive Guide program
versatile and marketable dive professional. This program is modular in design to fit most anyone’s desire. With this program you have two choices, remain an SSI Dive Guide and make a career out of being a professional Dive Guide, or upgrade your status to an SSI Divemaster by taking the Science of Diving Specialty.
• Assist SSI Dive Leaders in the pool and open water • Teach skills in the pool under direct supervision of an SSI Instructor • Teach SSI Scuba Skills Update and Snorkleing program and Try Scuba in the pool
May teach, supervise, or issue certifications for all courses and activities that Dive Control Specialists are qualified for, plus: • Indoor Diver • Scuba Diver • Open Water Diver • Advanced Adventurer
May teach, supervise, or issue certifications for all courses and activities that Open Water Instructors are qualified for, plus Specialty Courses* as qualified: * Boat Diving * Computer Diving * Deep Diving * Diver Stress & Rescue * Dry Suit Diving * Enriched Air Nitrox * Equipment Techniques * Navigation * Night&Limited Visibility * Search & Recovery * Digital UW Photography * Waves,Tides&Currents * Wreck Diving
With additional training Dive Control Specialists can qualify for: • Equipment Techniques Active Dive Guides may: • Give underwater tours up to 6 certified scuba divers
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• Underwater Photography • Shark Diver / Fish ID
SCUBA SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL
The Science of Diving academic training also makes excellent background for the SSI Dive Control Specialist Course which is totally dedicated to teaching how to train new divers in academics and practical skills. Devoted divers who are motivated to pass along their love of recreational scuba diving to others will find the SSI Dive Control
May teach, supervise, or issue certifications for all courses and activities that Specialty Instructors are qualified for, plus: • Dive Guide Courses • Snorkel Instructor Courses
Specialist program a rewarding experience that will add a new dimension to the sport. Much as the SSI Open Water Diver course opened the door to diving, the SSI Dive Control Specialist program will opens the door to instruction.
May teach, supervise, or issue certifications for all courses and activities that Advanced Open Water Instructors are qualified for, plus: • Dive Control Specialist Courses
With the future Instructor Training Course candidates will be taking a unique program that has stood the test of time, and you are accepting a challenge that many capable divers before you have accomplished. The difference today is a new approach with embedded business training to be a Dive Professional supported with improved materials.
May teach, supervise, or issue certifications for all courses and activities that Dive Control Specialist Instructors are qualified for, plus: • Instructor Training Courses • Specialty Instructor Courses • DiveCon Instructor Courses • Instructor Crossover Courses
We hope the programs will meet your expectations and opens the door to an exciting new world of leadership. Remember to do your best to uphold the quality and high standards of Scuba Schools International worldwide and the graduates of previous SSI Dive Leader courses. The new Dive Professional range of courses will launch at then end of the 2nd Quarter 2009. For more information contact your local SSI representative.
DIVE PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
DIVE PROFESSIONAL NEWS
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PRODUCTS Digital Photography Program—The Drop-Out Killer! For so many people, the idea of becoming a certified diver and exploring the world’s oceans represents the ultimate in adventure. People who share this belief are often our most attentive and best students. Once certified, they are eager to participate in every program we offer. But after about 10 dives, too many suddenly develop a “been there, done that” attitude. You know the problem; it is diver dropout. Attrition is a problem that faces every dive center in the country. To combat attrition, you need to offer divers reasons to stay active. The fascination with blowing bubbles underwater and looking at fish is simply not enough to prolong the thrill for many divers. The world offers them too many other exciting opportunities. Given the state of the economy, another problem that faces all of us is that while certified divers might still consider themselves to be active divers, they are—for the time being—going to postpone dive trips to foreign destinations because of budgetary concerns. They might not consider themselves to be diving dropouts, but no matter how we label them, they aren’t as likely to be shopping in your store. One proven way to combat the dropout problem is by getting your divers involved in underwater photography on a local level. Getting involved in underwater photography is a lot easier today than it ever has been, and while underwater photographers do have the option of using the latest, greatest and most expensive equipment, to have fun creating images underwater, they certainly don’t have to.
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Today, divers on a budget can afford camera systems that can provide them with results that will make them happy. The caveat is they have to understand their equipment and how to take care of it as well as some photographic fundamentals. For years, many dive center owners and instructors have known that underwater photography is a great way to keep their divers active. The problem has been how to go about it in a profitable, practical way. SSI helps you to overcome some of these probelms by providing a structured program. The program is targeting the „average diver with a normal camera system“ and answers most of the digital underwater photography questions which leads to better results creating more fun and satisfaction in diving. The DIGITAL UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY Program can be learned in the pool/confined water or directly in the open water. This makes this a perfect “winter specialty” which can be done just before a diving holiday starts. Always remember the primary goal of any SSI Specialty course is to teach you important skills in a fun environment—So take them diving!. If divers want to learn more about DIGITAL UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY or any other Specialty Program, they can buy the manual or the DVD only, even if they do not want to sign up for the program.
DIGITAL UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIALTY COURSE Content:
• Your Entry to the Underwater Photography
• Your Digital Camera System • Using your Camera System • Taking digital pictures under water
• Composition of your underwater pictures
• Editing your digital pictures Combine other specialties while taking the DIGITAL UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY course! PERFECT BUOYANCY or SHARK DIVER are great add ons. The possibilities are limitless!
SCUBA SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL
DIVE PROFESSIONAL NEWS
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MEMBERS New Dive Centers - Worldwide 1st Quarter 2009 ARGENTINA NAUTILUS BUCEO SHARK DIVING CENTER AUSTRALIA 1770 SEA QUEST AUSSIE TEST BLUE WATER DIVE AND FISHING CHARTERS DEBONAIR DIVE DIVEX ASIA PACIFIC EUREKA SAIL AND DIVE FLEXI FIRST AID JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY MATER DEI COLLEGE MIDSTATE DIVE NEWMAN SENIOR TECHNICAL COLLEGE SHELLHARBOUR SCUBA CENTRE AUSTRIA SPORT & FREIZEITZENTRUM - TRAUNFALL TAUCHSPORT COLLEGE VINDOBONA TAUCHZENTRUM NON-DUBITARE BELGIUM XPLORE DIVING DEEP TRIP NEKTON SEA LORD CROATIA LAMKRA - RABAC CYPRUS BLUE DOLPHIN SCUBA DIVING HAPPY DIVERS CZECH REPUBLIC DIVE CREW CZECH
ITALY A.C.S. SOLARIS A.R.A. SUB ALMOST BLUE DC AMARE IL MARE SCUOLA SUB AQUALAND ASD ASSETTO NEUTRO ASD LUNASUB BLU SHARK DIVING DI SQUALO BLU S.A.S BLUE SCUBA DIVING SRL FORMAZIONE SUBACQUEA COLLEFERRO DIVE IN HURGADA DIVE IN SHARM EL SHEIKH DIVERS ABYSS EASY SUB A.S.D. ELBA DIVING CENTER EMMECI SUB JOLLY ROGERS BERGAMO JOLLY ROGERS CERIALE JOLLY ROGERS MILANO JOLLY ROGERS PORTOSCUSO JOLLY ROGERS SESTU JOLLY ROGERS VOLPIANO LA COMPAGNIA DELL' AVVENTURA MACO SUB - I TITANI MONSUB ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA NASIM CHARTER SRL NEW DIVE PLANET PASSIONE MARE SCIARRA SPORT SHARK'S SUB TERNI T-REX DIVERS VOGLIA DI MARE D.C.
DEMARK DYKKERCENTER BORNHOLM EGYPT ALDIANA TAUCHEN MAKADI BAY EXTRA DIVERS SHARM EL ARAB LIGHTHOUSE DIVECENTER SUBEX DAHAB
KOREA GS SCUBA KUWAIT CORAL DIVE CENTER
FRANCE APOGON PLONGEE LYON PLONGEE PLONGEE SALEE PORQUEROLLES PLONGÉE
LEBANON DIVE PROS
GERMANY ACTION SPORT RAINBOW DIVERS TAUCHSPORT-AKTIV TAUCHTEAM AN DER CWS-REALSCHULE E.V.
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INDONESIA BALI INTERNATIONAL DIVING PROFESSIONAL BLACK MARLIN DIVE RESORT GUERILLA DIVE ADVENTURE PT. BALIKU DIVE RESORT SCUBA SCHOOLS INDONESIA SEA SAFARI CRUISES TAUCH TERMINAL RESORT TULAMBEN
MEXICO ADVENTURE TOURS YUCATAN CX DIVERS NETHERLANDS DE WITTE BOULEVARD HUNGARY PELANGI DIVING CENTER
NEW ZEALAND TAIRUA DIVE & FISHINN 2008 LTD PHILIPPINES SEAVIEW DIVERS POLAND C.N. TRYTON S.C. CENTRUM NURKOWE "AQUANAUTIC" PORTUGAL ANTHIA DIVING CENTER PUERTO RICO ENCANTO DIVERS RUSSIAN FEDERATION WESTERN BRIDGE SLOVENIA NOVA SUB- LJUBLJANA SOUTH AFRICA ADVENTURE SCHOOL SPAIN CENTRO DE BUCEO MARLIN EXTRA DIVERS GRAN CANARIA THAILAND BIG BLUE DIVING KHAO LAK SAVE THE OCEANS TURKEY ADAM DIVING SCHOOL AKADEMI ISTANBUL DALIS MERKEZI DEEP DIVE DIVE KINGDOM,DIVING SERVICES & EDUCATION LTD. DOLPHINLAND IDA BALIKESIR BALIKADAMLAR DERNEGI ISLAK MAVI DALIS MERKEZI KARAMURSEL SUALTI SPORLARI KULUBU MAGIC DIVERS KEMER MEPHISTO DIVING TEPEBASI BLD. SPOR KULÜBÜ UNITED KINGDOM BLUE O TWO LTD. BLUE O TWO LTD. BLUE O TWO LTD. UNITED STATES FREEDOM DIVE CENTER MACS SPORTS VENEZUELA PSDIVER VIET NAM SCUBA DIVE
SCUBA SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL
Dive Professional Recognition - Worldwide 1st Quarter 2009 CENTURY INSTRUCTOR
CENTURY INSTRUCTOR
CARLA VIDIRI HUGO SORBILLE JUAN RODRIGUEZ CLAUDIA PASTORINO JUAN CARLOS MAZZOLA LEONARDO TOURNIER CRISTIAN RIOLFI DALE BYRNE JAY-SEN PHANG ALEX BROWN GLENN HAWKINS HELEN ARTAL ALEXIUS SUTANDIO JUSTIN LINSKILL DANNY SEYMOUR THIAGO DIZ NEIL HACKETT SIMON DOUGHTY PETER COSTELLO BRIAN PHILLIPS GERHARD JURECEK GERALD KOZMUTH ALAIN DUCHEYNE
OVADIA ELIRAN WILLIAM THORBURN RED FISHER DANIEL HAWKES DANIEL REVACH ALEX TYRELL-KENYON LI-OR FITOUSI ADAM JORDAN ALESSANDRO PARRINI HENRY GILL LUCIANO FORTI TIM RENZ CLAUDIO BUCCOLA GARY BLATTER ALBERTO CORBELLI KELLY EARL EUGENIO PADALINO SCHOTT BECKHAM LUISA VEROPALUMBO SANDRA NIKOLIC CARLO PULIGHEDDU JÖRG GESSNER DOMENICO D INDIA MINH TRI NGUYEN HA TIZIANA SCHIANO LO MORIELLO GREG LIPSKY SANDRO COSTA HO-JIN KIM ENRICO MASSIMO TALAMONA DON REECE MASSIMILIANO STIRPARO KEVIN SWEENEY MUTSUKO GAMAN EDWARD CIESLA ZULHAIRIE ZULKIFLEE JERRY HOLLAND MANUEL MOLA PEDRAZA JEFF REID JOSE LOUSTALOT LACLETTE STEVEN LOWE ADOLFO TORTOLERO LANGARICA J. SIMONS ALBERTO BOLANOS GONZALEZ TOM STONE JR MARCO ANTONIO SANCHEZ MO- WATSON DEVORE TE XARENI FAVELA LORSCH GREGORY KNYPER LESTER WILLIS JUDD WOLFE
JOSUALDO MOURA RODRIGO DE CARVALHO FIGUEIREDO ANTONIO COUTINHO JUNIOR JASON HERLICK ADAM BUTCHER THOMAS SINEL OLDRICH JURKA LEIF SONDERBY ALY MOHAMED STEPHAN KLOTZ WILFRIED HERVE LARS PEIKERT NICO HERZOG MARIA MARQUARDT KATHARINA URICH MICHAEL ROSENBAUM GERALD STRAUSS VIOLA ESCH JOEL JACQUES ISOLDE KERST MICHAEL VEGELAHN KARIN MEINECKE TATJANA SIMUNIC FRANK JAKOBI DIRK PENZEL OLIVER APPELBAUM MARCO RÖDEL MARK DEBERTSHÄUSER JENS BÖLTE INGO PALLASKE JUERGEN WOESSNER DORIS HÖBING SIGALA SHOHAM DUEK ETAMAR GUR TSUR
TANJA WESTRIK MARTIN KOPPESCHAAR CHRISTINA GRABOWSKY CARLOS MACKINNON PAUL ROBERTS ANTHONY BROADHEAD ARNULFO REYES NAVARRO MARIO GEBURTIG ZBIGNIEW STYCHNO JOSE GUADALUPE ARCE ENRIQUE TORAÑO PAVEL GUREVICH JIMMY CHOO JOSHUA FOO BUD MORRIS SEBASTIAN SOLANS VIVES ISAAC VILLANUEVA ALVAREZ JOSEBA ALBERDI AZCARATE JOSE MARCOS NAVARRETE VENANCIO TORNERO JARA MARCELINO GONZALEZ MANEIRO ALEJANDRO PEREZ DE SANTOS MIRO TOMASZEWSKI ADAM TOMASZEWSKI ERMES DIANESE GEORG KEREIT TANJA FULLIN TOBIAS VOLKER HANS RUDOLF WITTWER RICHARD CARR GUILLAUME FARGUES MARCEL BRUIJS SIMON GARRITY
CENTURY INSTRUCTOR
MARK STITZER DAVID TRANCE JOSEPH GAYDESKI DAVID THOMPSON E. DOUG MCNEESE JR. SCOTT MCCRORY ROBERT HARTMAN JEFFREY POWELSON JOSEPH SPARKS JEFFREY STRAHN DAWN WILLIAMSON STEPHEN CORCORAN STEPHEN ROBERTS STEVEN FRANCHI BRYAN SAINT GERMAIN CHRISTINE DESPAIN JOEL DANNELLEY JESSICA KELLOGG CHUCK SWECKER PAUL MIERZWA EDWIN TIEDEMANN WILLIAM WARD JR HELGE ALSGUTH RICHARD DANIELS COLBY GIBSON MICHAEL ANGE JACOB MONTGOMERY BRUCE KLEIN DONALD BISSETT REYNALDO ARREAZA MIGUEL BLANCO FRANCISCO GARCIA GONZALEZ JENS GUENDEL
DIVE PROFESSIONAL NEWS
GOLD 500 IINSTRUCTOR JUAN RODRIGUEZ RENALDO VAN DER WESTHUIZEN NICK TURNER ETHAN TRUMAN CHRISTIAN LECHNER BARBARA TRATTNER MARCUS WERNECK WALLY PETERSON FABIENNE WIEDERKEHR GERHARD RILLING JÖRG RASCHBACHER ROBIN SARKAR STEFAN GOERLITZ PETER ALBER BARBARA EBEL JACK VIJGEN ROB WILSON BEAT BUETIKOFER ROLF BOSSART NEIL FARMER JEFF REID PATRICIA CHRISTENSEN GREGORY EICHE TOMMY SMEDLEY JO ANN SAWYER
PLATINUM 1000 INSTRUCTOR KAI-CHRISTIAN DUNKELMANN JURY GREENLAND PHILIP TIPLADY VINCENT SMITH PATRICIA BERSCHIED
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NEWS Dutch Royal rewarded Platinum Pro 5000 “During the annual Dutch
diving show Pieter van Vollenhoven, brother-inlaw to the Dutch Queen, received the special Platinum Pro 5000 Diver award from Edwin Sap, SSI
Area Manager for the Benelux, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The Platinum Pro 5000 is an award honoring those persons who make a substantial contribution to the sport of diving. Pieter Van Vollenhoven, an SSI Master Instructor, holds the dive sport very dear to his heart, and manages to ensure that the sport of diving is portrayed in a positive light in the media. He is a great promoter of diving with the disabled and children.
The Platinum Pro 5000 was also awarded to René Huisman, co-owner of Elite Divecenter and previously the driving force behind SSI Benelux. For years, René has invested his unbridled energy in SSI, and the SCUBA RANGERS in particular. He is entitled to take credit for the fact that the SCUBA RANGERS program, which introduces children to diving in a playful manner, thus creating the divers of the future, is gaining a firm foothold in the Netherlands.
SSI continues Success Story—DIVE TROPHY DIVE TROPHY 2008 was a sensational success. The competition has been dubbed the best known event within the German diving industry. Through the event more than 4.500 divers completed more than 1 million ‘dive’ points. More than 140 Dive Centers participated and fun was had by all. The entire event was organized by numerous key players in the industry. Organizers included the holiday resorts of ROBINSON CLUB, the diving magazine “unterwasser” and SSI. SCUBAPRO/UWATEC, SEEMANN, Chris Benz and Monte Mare acted as sponsors.
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DIVE TROPHY is THE motivating force for diving as divers of all training agencies are invited to participate in a fair challenge that takes place throughout the year. Divers can enter anytime during the year and collect points for any activity related to diving. The goal is to be a part of the Top 100 to qualify for the semi-finals. If a diver doesn’t make it to the Top 100 they still have an opportunity to win one of a variety special prizes. At the semi-finals participants start at zero so each has a fair chance to become the highest scorer. Then the Top 10 from the Semi Finals qualify for the Finals
held at a ROBINSON CLUB resort. We are currently at the beginning for DIVE TROPHY 2009 and encourage divers to take part in this amazing competition. It is a chance to have a lot of fun and possibly win some great prizes that equate to a total value of more that $20,000! For more information visit the official DIVE TROPHY website www.dive-trophy.com
SCUBA SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL
WORLDWIDE 7 New Instructor Trainers for 6 Countries The SSI European Service Center has organized another successful Instructor Trainer Seminar from 02.03.2009 till 12.03.09 at the EXTRA DIVERS Dive Center Ras Nasrani in Egypt.
organized and held by Ronny Kain – Training Manager, SSI European Service Center – and the entire team of the EXTRA DIVERS Ras Nasrani supported him tireless.
The seminar was very international as candidates from Sweden, Kuwait, Lebanon, Russia, Germany and Switzerland participated in the program. The seminar was
By adding the new Instructor Trainers SSI is improving the International Instructor Trainer Network. This will enable new Dive Leaders to take programs in more languages and in more places and to pass those
successfully in their mother language. For more information visit www.diveSSI.com
SSI congratulates all participants and is looking forward to a prosperous partnership!
"Diving-Live and In Color!" We are converting all SSI specialty training materials to full-color! The reason for the upgrade is to help provide the "ultimate" consumer experience through high quality SSI educational products. Each specialty has been given a completely new graphic design. Each SSI Specialty Kit includes the newly designed full-color manual, DVD, certification card and presentation box. All of these changes were made to help SSI Dive Centers keep their customers enthusiastic about continuing their diving experiences.
DIVE PROFESSIONAL NEWS
"What your customers want is an unforgettable experience. And that experience will be a result of all of the touch points you have with them, including staff interaction, merchandise, product selection, signage, in-store marketing, branding, music, smells, and making sure the training elements are fun and consistent. The touch points that SSI can influence are the training materials. Our goal in adding color is to help SSI Dive Centers and Instructors make it all about that unforgettable experience," stated Doug McNeese, President /CEO.
"We don't design products to compete for bragging rights. We design products that serious dive retailers and resorts find valuable. The driving force is to keep more people involved in our sport and create a healthy industry. If we can do that, we can change the direction of our industry forever," continued McNeese. The first products to launch in April will be Deep Diving and Boat Diving. Close behind will be Equipment, Dry Suit Diving, and Navigation with more specialties following throughout 2009.
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SERVICE Dive Professional—Health Insurance Coverage in Resorts Nearly each Dive Professional dreams of working under palm trees with sunshine every day. But once the decision is made, very often the problems start. One of the most striking questions are “How do I insure myself properly for this new surrounding as my current health insurance does not cover what I need?” SSI is aware of those facts and the related problems. We have focused on solutions by looking for an international partner with a reputation who can insure globally, communicate in different languages, covers all necessary risks including decompression chamber treatment at a reasonable price and is easy to work with.
Here are the Benefits and an explanation of How Allianz Worldwide Care works. Please read the additional attached documents for further information: ⇒ ALLIANZ Member Benefit Guide ⇒ ALLIANZ Health Insurance USPs ⇒ ALLIANZ Table of Benefits Helpline Service 24/5. Allianz Worldwide Care’s in-house team of professional,multilingual staff are available 24 hours a day, 5 days a week (Sunday 6.00pmto Friday 7.00pmGMT), to handle your policy inquiries.Wherever you are in the world, and whatever time of the day, they are available over the phone or via email to deal with your inquiry. Our Helpline staff have instant access to your policy details and any historical communication with us so
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that they can provide you with the assistance you require e.g. confirmation of cover or an update on the status of your claimor Treatment Guarantee request. Emergency Assistance Service 24/7. In the event that you require emergency medical treatment in a hospital or clinic, you should, where possible, contact the Helpline as soon as possible. The emergency assistance service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide you with a range of emergency assistance services such as arranging an emergency medical evacuation or providing a Treatment Guarantee to your hospital. For emergency cases, Treatment Guarantee is not required in advance of in-patient treatment, however, they should be advised within 24 hours of the event. For emergency treatment, please note that they can take Treatment Guarantee Form details over the telephone, if you call the Helpline. This will give them the opportunity to arrange the direct settlement of your hospital bills, where possible, and will ensure that your claimcan be processed without any delays. MediLine Medical Advice Service 24/7. The medical advice service, MediLine, offers you immediate telephone access to an experienced, English speaking medical team that provides comprehensive medical advice and information, such as: • Pre- and post-operative treatment advice • Advice and information on a range of lifestyle issues e.g. nutrition and dietary information, sports injuries, advice on smoking and alcohol consumption
• Travel health information pre- and post-travel e.g. vaccinations • Patient drug information e.g. advice on medication usage and reaction You can access this member service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on Tel: + 44 (0) 208 403 9970 Please be advised that for policy or claims queries you should contact the Allianz Worldwide Care Helpline directly. Please note that the MediLine and its health-related information and resources are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their doctors. It is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment and information should not be relied upon for that purpose. Always seek the advice of your doctor before beginning any new treatment or if you have any questions regarding a medical condition. You understand and agree that Allianz Worldwide Care is not responsible or liable for any claim, loss or damage directly or indirectly resulting from your use of this advice line or the information or the resources provided through this service. Calls to the MediLine will be recorded and may be monitored for training and quality purposes. Membership Pack. Once your company and Allianz Worldwide Care have signed an insurance contract guaranteeing health insurance coverage for you and your dependants (if relevant), a full Membership Pack will be provided. The Membership Pack, which could be either soft copy or paper based (depending on which option was selected by you), contains the following items:
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WORLDWIDE • Your Personalized Membership Card Allianz Worldwide Care supplies a personalized Membership Card to every member, which contains our essential contact numbers and addresses. This means that you and your family are only a phone call away from help. Allianz Worldwide Care suggests that you keep this card with you at all times. If you lose the card, don’t worry, simply contact the Helpline to arrange for a new card to be sent to you. • Your Insurance Certificate Your Insurance Certificate details the plan that your company has chosen for you and your dependants. It also states the start date and renewal date of your coverage (and effective dates of when dependants were added). It is important that you check that the information is correct. Please let Allianz know, as soon as possible, if any corrections are required. • Your Employee Benefit Guide This guide sets out the benefits and rules of your AllianzWorldwide Care plan. The Employee Benefit Guide should be read in conjunction with your Insurance Certificate and Table of Benefits. For details of the insurance contract, please refer to your company. • A Treatment Guarantee Form It is important that the relevant sections of this form are completed by you and your physician and are submitted for approval prior to any treatment which requires Treatment Guarantee. Please note that the Treatment Guarantee Form is also available on the website. • A Claim Form To ensure that your claim is paid quickly and without delay, it is important that you follow the guidelines on: “How to claim”. Fully completed Claim Forms are processed and payment instructions
issued to your bank within 48 hours. Where further information is required to complete your claim, you/your medical practitioner will be notified by email or mail within 24 hours of receipt of the Claim Form. Emails are automatically sent to you (when email addresses are provided) to advise you of when a claim has been received and when it has been processed. • Your Table of Benefits This document details the benefits and limits available to you under your plan. The Table of Benefits will also detail what benefits require submission of a Treatment Guarantee Form prior to treatment. • Online Services Name & Password If this option has been selected by your company, you will receive a username and password allowing you access to our web based Online Services. Online Services. If you have requested this facility, you can access the secure Online Services through the website www.allianzworldwidecare.com If you have not provided an email address, you can access your online account by clicking the 'register' button on the login screen. Please type in your Policy number, Surname and Date of birth, exactly as shown on your Membership Pack documents. An automated email containing your login details will then be sent to the email address we have on record for you. If you have not been provided your email address, your login details will have be sent to you in a letter included as part of your Membership Pack. Online Services allows you to: • View and amend your personal details online • Securely retrieve a lost or forgotten username and password • Download your Insurance Certificate, Employee Benefit Guide and Membership eCard in PDF format • View your Table of Benefits and
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check how much remains payable under each benefit limit • Confirm the status of any claims submitted to us and view claims related correspondence. Please note that access to Online Services is only available if you are part of a group scheme which has subscribed to this service on your behalf. Medical Provider Finder. The Medical Provider directory is available on the Allianz Worldwide Care website www.allianzworldwidecare.com. This online directory allows you to search for hospitals, clinics, doctors and specialists on a country by country basis, with the ability to narrow down the search to specific regions and cities. Users can also search under Medical Practitioner categories e.g. Internal Medicine, as well as on specialized e.g. General Surgery, Neurosurgery or Traumatology etc. You are not restricted to using the providers listed in this directory. For any treatment that requires Treatment Guarantee, please complete and submit a Treatment Guarantee Formprior to undergoing the required treatment. Allianz will, where possible, try to arrange the direct settlement of your in-patient medical expenses with your medical provider. SSI Service Provider Contact Mesterheide Unternehmensgruppe GmbH Versicherungsmakler Roger Pauli Key Account Consultant Augustaanlage 53 68165 Mannheim / Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 621-127 14 11 Fax: +49 (0) 621-127 14 30 roger.pauli@mesterheide.de www.mesterheide.de You can insure immediately by filling the „ALLIANZ Worldwide Care—SSI Batch List“ completely and turn it in!
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