The SSI Mermaid program provides students with the knowledge and training necessary to autonomously conduct mermaid activities with an equally-or more-qualified buddy in a pool/confined water environment, and to depths shallower than five (5) meters.
Recommendation | If students are interested in breath-hold diving, they should be encouraged to take the SSI Basic Freediver program.
- During in-water skill evaluations, the students must remain under direct supervision of the instructor so that physical contact can be made at any time.
- Complete at least three (3) pool/confined water sessions and skill evaluations as outlined in the Mermaid Instructor Manual.
- Upon completion of all academic and pool/confined water requirements and final exam, a Mermaid Instructor or higher may issue the digital Mermaid certification card.
- Certified Mermaids can swim with an equally- or more-qualified buddy, in environments including aquariums and purpose-built indoor diving facilities, and within the recommended depth limits.
- To upgrade to Ocean Mermaid, a Mermaid must complete the Mermaid Water Fitness Evaluation and at least two (2) open water training sessions in an open water environment as outlined in the Mermaid Instructor Manual.
SSI materials are written in English and follow U.S. spelling and punctuation.