DIVE PROFESSIONAL
SSI Dive Professional Career Pathway
BECOME A DIVE PROFESSIONAL Wouldn‘t it be great to have a job that you enjoyed so much that you couldn‘t believe you got paid to do it. Becoming an SSI Dive Professional can make this a reality. You can actually have a career doing something you enjoy while providing you with the monetary satisfaction you deserve! Most people focus on getting a “real job,” however; there are many employment opportunities in the scuba industry that fit this label. Dive retailers and resorts have immediate openings for qualified professionals domestically and around the world. The only difference is your primary office is under water “having fun!” This type of work is not always seen as serious employment, so there is a constant shortage of skilled staff which creates huge career opportunities. As an SSI Dive Professional, you are in control of your own destiny. You can have a career in parts of the world you only dreamed of maybe visiting one day.
With additional training:
SSI Dive Professionals and diamonds have something in common, they both take time to create and they are “A Cut Above!�. This flow chart will show you all your possible career options. Continue your career by taking higher Dive Professional programs, qualifying for Specialty Instructor ratings and continuing your pursuit with dives.
SSI TechXR Instructor:
Instructor Levels of Recognition:
SSI DIVE PROFESSIONAL Since 1970, SSI has been a leader in professional education. The SSI Dive Guide program is a simple way for divers who want to be more involved, but aren’t ready to take on the responsibility or the commitment of becoming an SSI Instructor. The Dive Guide program is the starting point for the Dive Professional adventure. Completing the Science of Diving specialty is the next step to upgrading to the SSI Divemaster rating. This rating is the prerequiste for the SSI Dive Control Specialist course. Devoted Dive Professionals who are motivated to share their love of recreational scuba diving with others will find the SSI Dive Control Specialist program an experience that will add a new dimension to their diving adventures. The SSI Dive Control Specialist program opens the door to diving instruction.
Dive Guide (DG)
SSI Dive Guides can lead and guide certified divers. Additionally, after passing the Snorkeling Instructor program, a Dive Guide can teach and issue Snorkeling certifications. This program approaches training using practical application and background  information. The goal is to create well-prepared, versatile and marketable Dive Professionals.
Divemaster (DM)
Dive Guide plus the Science of Diving equals Divemaster. Divemasters can perform Try Scuba’s (pool only) and assist SSI Instructors with pool/ confined water and open water training under direct supervision.
Dive Control Specialist (DCS)
Becoming a Dive Control Specialist can be accomplished three ways; take Dive Guide, Science of Diving and Dive Control Specialist as separate programs, all as one program or enter the program as a Divemaster from any approved agency. You can lead and guide certified divers, assist SSI Instructors and teach skills in the classroom and pool under indirect supervision. In addition you can teach Scuba Skills Update, Snorkeling and Try Scuba as well as upgrade to a Training Specialist.
Training Specialist (TS)
A Dive Control Specialist has the ability to become a Training Specialist by purchasing the outlines and co-teaching certain specialties. These Specialty programs include: Altitude Diving, Boat Diving, Computer Diving, Digital Underwater Photography, Equipment Techniques, Navigation, Perfect Buoyancy, Shark Diver and Emergency Training (CPR/First Aid, O2 Provider/Advanced O2, and AED.)
SSI INSTRUCTOR From the time man had the urge to explore the underwater world, the pleasures were denied to the vast majority until scuba training and equipment were developed in its present form. Now that diving is accessible to anyone, there is a high demand for people who have a passion for diving and want to share that experience with others. For SSI, the most important step in a Dive Professional´s career is becoming a person who can train new divers – the SSI Open Water Instructor. The Open Water Instructor´s mission is to inspire and influence beginners to grow in their diving experiences with the goal of making them committed
Open Water Instructor (OWI)
Being a Dive Control Specialist plus enrolling in the Instructor Training Course with an Instructor Evaluation upon completion equals Open Water Instructor (OWI). As an Open Water Instructor, you can teach and issue certifications for Indoor Diver, Scuba Diver, Junior Open Water Diver, Open Water Diver, Advanced Adventurer, Scuba Skills Update, Try Scuba, Try Scuba Diving, Enriched Air Nitrox, and Diver Stress & Rescue.
Specialty Instructor (SI)
After you are an Open Water Instructor you can work towards SSI Specialty Instructor ratings. You can qualify by attending a Specialty Instructor seminar, co-teaching or by application. The programs include: Altitude Diving, Boat Diving, Deep Diving, Digital Underwater Photography, Dry Suit Diving, Equipment Techniques, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibilit Diving, Perfect Buoyancy, Science of Diving, Search & Recovery, Shark Diver, Waves, Tides & Currents, Wreck Diving.
Advanced Open Water Instructor (AOWI)
Once you have four Specialty Instructor certifications and you have issued 15 Specialty certifications, you will automatically be upgraded to Advanced Open Water Instructor. An AOWI is qualified to teach Advanced Open Water Diver/ Junior Advanced Open Water Diver, Dive Guide, Science of Diving, Divemaster and Snorkel Instructor programs, plus any additional Specialties that you are qualified to teach.
divers. The goal of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) is to increase your retail business and industry knowledge, expand your teaching skills and add professional presentation/sales experence through modern workshops and practical applications. It is an opportunity to learn how to deliver “The Ultimate Dive Experience.” The SSI Instructor Training Course is a unique program that has stood the test of time. In order to stay competitive in today’s diving industry, the program has been updated to ensure that all Dive Professionals are equipped with the latest retail business training and industry knowledge.
Dive Control Specialist Instructor (DCSI)
After issuing an additional 30 Open Water Diver certifications, you qualify to upgrade to Dive Control Specialist Instructor. A Dive Control Specialist Instructor can teach and issue certifications for all the same programs as an Advanced Open Water Instructor, plus the Dive Control Specialist program and can assist Instructor Trainers under indirect supervision during an Instructor Training Course (ITC).
Master Instructor (MI)
After 150 certifications of various ratings and at least 250 logged dives, you will be upgraded to the Master Instructor rating. With this rating, it qualifies you to actively take part in the SSI Product Review Committee and enroll in an Instructor Trainer Seminar.
SSI INSTRUCTOR TRAINER The Instructor Trainer represents the highest qualification an Instructor can reach in the SSI System. Instructor Trainers are qualified to teach the Instructor Training Course (ITC) and prepare future SSI Instructors for their Instructor Evaluation (IE). This is one of the most rewarding and most challenging tasks an Instructor can fulfill. The Instructor Trainer Seminar (ITS) is an international event where you will meet colleagues from all over the world. You will experience intensive training and evaluations as well as the opportunity to build a personal network with people from other countries who share the same passion as you. This is your chance to become “The Ultimate Dive Educator�.
Instructor Trainer (IT)
Once you have successfully passed the Instructor Trainer Seminar and completed 150 certifications, you can teach and issue certifications for all the same courses as a Dive Control Specialist Instructor plus Instructor Training Course, Specialty Instructor, Advanced Open Water Instructor, Dive Control Specialist Instructor, Dive Professional Upgrade programs and assist Instructor Certifiers with Open Water Instructor Evaluations.
Technical Extended Range Instructor (TXR)
Once you are both an Advanced Open Water Instructor and an Enriched Air Nitrox Instructor, you can also enroll in the SSI Technical Extended Range Instructor program. Experience new limits in diving — Go Xtreme! Your starting point is as an Advanced Nitrox Instructor followed by Technical Foundations, Decompression Procedures, Normoxic Trimix, Advanced Decompression Procedures, and Hypoxic Trimix Instructor. As an active Dive Control Specialist Instructor you are also eligible to qualify for the Technical Extended Range Instructor Trainer ratings.
SSI INSTRUCTOR UPGRADE SSI has a simplified crossover system for instructors affiliated with recognized agencies. We understand that as an instructor you already know how to train divers, so the upgrade is designed strictly to familiarize you with any different skills, the SSI Philosophy and how it applies to your classes. The ratings you currently hold with your other recognized agency will be matched one-to-one with SSI ratings. After completion, you can continue your career with SSI without limits!
Why SSI If you are looking for a career in diving, becoming an SSI Dive Professional is the best choice you can make. SSI is the only organization that not only trains you to teach others how to dive, but also teaches you what you need to know to become a key player in the industry. We support you with a job search database, up-to-date training tools available online 24/7, an awardwinning education and business system, over 40 years in the industry, and so many personalized services it’s unreal. With over 2,400 Authorized Dive Centers in 110+ countries and educational materials translated and printed in 25+ languages, there is a world of opportunity waiting for you with SSI.
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