Open Water Specialties

Deep Diving

Intent

The SSI Deep Diving program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to safely conduct open water dives to depths between 18 and 40 meters.

Minimum Instructor Rating

An active status Deep Diving Specialty Instructor may conduct the Deep Diving specialty program.

Student Prerequisites

Minimum age: 15 years old.

Have the following SSI certifications or equivalent from a recognized training agency:

Referral Diver

Note | SSI Referral Divers may enroll in SSI specialty programs and complete all academic and pool/confined water sessions. Open water training dives for all specialties cannot be combined with open water training dives for entry-level programs, and must be conducted after completion of all in-water training for the Open Water Diver program.

Duration

Recommended hours for completion: 10-15.

Depth Limitations

Open water training dives:

Dive 1: 18 to 30 meters

Dive 2: 24 to 30 meters

Dive 3: 30 to 40 meters

In-Water Ratios

Dives shallower than 30 meters

The student-to-instructor ratio is 8:1.

The ratio may increase to 10:2 with one (1) certified assistant.

The ratio may increase to 12:3 with two (2) certified assistants.

Dives deeper than 30 meters

The student-to-instructor ratio is 4:1.

Certified assistants cannot be used to increase ratios.

Proximity

During in-water skill evaluations, the students must remain under direct supervision of the SSI Professional so that physical contact can be made at any time.

Requirements For Completion

Complete all academic sessions and assessments outlined in the instructor manual for Deep Diving.

Complete the program’s final exam.

Complete at least three (3) open water training dives as outlined in the instructor manual for Deep Diving.

Certification

Upon completion of all academic and in-water requirements, the SSI Professional may issue the program’s digital certification card.

Certified SSI divers can dive with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits of their certifications.