During your scuba diving career with SSI, you will be able to learn more about some specific underwater activity. Have a look here to the SSI Specialties!
Click on the specialty to get more information:
If you have any question about the specialties, do not hesitate to contact us!
Perfect Buoyancy
Do you want to increase your buoyancy control, minimize your breathing gas consumption, or move effortlessly above the ocean floor? The SSI Perfect Buoyancy program teaches you the skills and techniques needed to maximize your dive experience, increase your comfort in the water, and get the most from your equipment. You will earn the SSI Perfect Buoyancy Specialty certification.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | Online Learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 1+ |
| Open Water Dives: | Optional |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Optional |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Photo & Video
This program teaches you the skills needed to dive with an underwater camera, and provides the in-depth knowledge and experience required to properly use, maintain and store your equipment. Our goal is help you capture your amazing underwater experiences. You will earn the SSI Photo & Video Specialty certification.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | Online learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 1+ |
| Open Water Dives: | Optional |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies |
| Suggested Duration: | Varies |
Deep Diving
Many exciting dive sites are located in deeper water. Without proper training, this kind of diving puts you at risk. The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will give you the ability to safely and comfortably plan and conduct dives beyond 18 meters, and is a prerequisite for some advanced training. You will earn the SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification. after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 15 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | 1 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | 3 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 40 meters / 130 feet |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Navigation
This program provides the skills and concepts required to safely and comfortably navigate underwater during a dive. You will learn how to use a compass and natural navigation techniques, estimate distance, basic navigation patterns and how to leave and return to a designated point. You will earn the SSI Navigation Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | Online Learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | 2 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies with age |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Search & Recovery
This program provides the skills and concepts required to safely plan and conduct search and recovery dives. You will learn about search patterns, specialized dive plans, underwater communication, and how to recover small to medium-sized objects using specialized equipment like lift bags. You will earn the SSI Search and Recovery Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 12 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | Online learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 1 mandatory before open water dive |
| Open Water Dives: | 2 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies with age |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Night Diving and Limited Visibility
This program provides the skills and concepts required to safely and comfortably dive at night or in limited visibility conditions. Some of the ocean’s most amazing creatures only come out at night, so your dive doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. You will learn how to enter and exit the water, use specialized equipment, and how to communicate and dive with a buddy at night or in limited visibility. You will earn the SSI Night Diving and Limited Visibility Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | Online learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | 2 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies by age |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Waves, Tides & Currents
Water motion can have a tremendous effect on your diving experience This program gives you the skills and knowledge required to conduct dives from shore, in currents, and in different types of waves. Students completing this program earn the SSI Waves, Tides and Currents Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 12 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | 1 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 1 Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | 2 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies with age |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Wreck Diving
Many of the ocean’s best dive sites have artificial reefs, or wrecks that have sunk through the ages. This program gives you the skills and knowledge required to safely scuba dive above and around these underwater treasures. You will earn the SSI Wreck Diving certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | Online training |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 1 Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | 2 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies with age |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Equipment Techniques
The SSI Equipment Techniques teaches you how to choose, maintain and store your Total Diving System. This ensures performance and increases the longevity of your equipment. You will earn the SSI Equipment Techniques Specialty certification.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Referral Diver if in-water training is included |
| Academic Sessions: | Online learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | Optional |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Optional |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
| Specialized Equipment: | Knowledge Program |
Independent Diving
This program provides the skills and concepts required to safely and comfortably dive without a designated dive buddy. You will learn about self-reliance, proper equipment maintenance, and the special considerations and rescue techniques required to dive independently. You will earn the SSI Independent Diving Specialty certification after completing this program..
| Minimum Age: | 18 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | 1 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 1 Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | 2 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 30 meter / 100 feet |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Diver Stress & Rescue
Stress is a major cause of diving accidents and negatively impacts rescue situations. This program teaches you the skills and knowledge required to recognize and deal with stress, prevent accidents and properly deal with emergency situations encountered by divers. You will earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 15 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver Students must have proof of current training within two (2) years of First Aid and CPR |
| Academic Sessions: | 2 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 2 (+1 Optional) |
| Open Water Dives: | 3 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 30 meters / 100 feet |
| Suggested Duration: | 10 – 15 hours |
React Right
React Right is SSI’s emergency training program, consisting of the following basic components: Primary Assessment, First Aid & CPR Skills, Primary Stabilization Techniques, and includes two optional components: Oxygen Administration in Diving Emergencies and Automated External Defibrilation Basics. Students who complete this program earn the SSI React Right specialty certification.
| Minimum Age: | 15 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | None |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Knowledge Program |
| Suggested Duration: | 8-12 hours |
Emergency Training Bundle
This bundle combines the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue with the SSI React Right program. Learn how to recognize and deal with stress, prevent accidents and properly manage emergency situations if they occur. You will earn the SSi Diver Stress & Rescue certification, as well as the SSI React Right certification after completing the programs in this bundle.
| Minimum Age: | 15 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Diver Stress & Rescue – current FA/CPR certification prior to certification. |
| Academic Sessions: | Varies |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | 3 or more |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 30 meters / 130 feet |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Advanced Wreck Diving
This program allows limited penetration within the daylight zone into wrecks with an overhead environment. The training required for this type of diving is overhead buoyancy control, new finning techniques, optional laying safety line and the proper use of a light. The program can be completed wearing a single cylinder with either a pony cylinder or H/Y valve. You will earn the SSI Advanced Wreck Diving Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 12 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | 1 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 1 Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | 2 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies with age |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Science of Diving
This program provides an in-depth and detailed study of physics, physiology, decompression theory, the aquatic environment and diving equipment. It is required training for most SSI Dive Professional programs, as well as some Extended Range programs. You will earn the SSI Science of Diving Specialty certification after completing this program..
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver if in-water training is included |
| Academic Sessions: | Online learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | Optioinal |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Optional |
| Suggested Duration: | 12 – 20 hours |
| Specialized Equipment: | Knowledge Program |
Coral Identification
Coral reefs are the building blocks of many ocean ecosystems. This program teaches you the skills and concepts required to recognize and identify common families of coral species. You will earn the SSI Coral Identification Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver if in-water training is included |
| Academic Sessions: | 1 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | Optional |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Optional |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Fish Identification
The ocean is filled with fascinating and beautiful fish of every shape and size. This non-diving specialty program teaches you the skills and concepts required to identify the common families of Caribbean, Indo-Pacific, and Red Sea reef fish. You will earn the SSI Fish Identification Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver if in-water training is included |
| Academic Sessions: | 1 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | Optional |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Optional |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
Marine Ecology / Underwater Naturalist
This program provides a general understanding of the complex and exciting science of marine ecology, which is the study of how organisms interact with each other and the environment, the flow of energy through communities, and the link between ocean ecosystems. You will earn the SSI Marine Ecology Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver if in-water training is included |
| Academic Sessions: | 1 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | Optional |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Optional |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
