Very helpful. I just completed my XO course as a DM. I am currently a DM with both PADI and SSI. I am a little lost in SSI thus far, but I am catching on. Videos like this are helpful.
Hello Larry Wiezorek, congratulations on earning your Divemaster in both PADI and SSI. If you ever have any questions on the SSI side, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank You, and good luck tazccl on your Instructor course. We will be uploading a video in the next few days on what candidates should expect during their Instructor Evaluation. Stay Tuned.
Hello Alfa INC, we sure do. We have produced several videos going over technical calculations and operations. Feel free to scroll through our playlist. If there is something specific you are looking for, such as gear configurations, Sidemount vs Back Mount, overhead environments, we have several videos on them as well. We have a comparison video coming out in the next few weeks, comparing both Sidemount and Back Mount, starring your's truly. Should be an interesting video.
Hello Joe Diver. The levels can be confusing at first. During the ITC (Instructor Training Course) we break down each level to the Instructor Candidates and they get a better understanding of each level. This helps with the confusion. As far as the Dive Control Specialist Instructor (and Dive Control Specialist Certification), to help with any confusion, SSI changed it to Assistant Instructor and Assistant Instructor Trainer. The Assistant Instructor can teach portions of the Open Water Course and select specialties. The Assistant Instructor Trainer can of course teach the Assistant Instructor program. Hope this helps.
Nicely done on the differences of each level. When one becomes a professional through SSI do they get the insurance through SSI or do they have to go through 3rd party? Thanks
Hey Will, unfortunately SSI does not have an Insurance option. We use DAN's professional liability insurance. There are several other ones out there that covers dive professionals.
Great info as usual. The more I hear on SSI the more interested I become in jumping from the PADI money trap. Lol. Is the PADI ,UTD and TDI ratings transferable to SSI ratings ?? I.e. Say your PADI divemaster with 1000 logged dives, would you qualify to start specialty trainer courses or would you have to start the divemaster training all over ??? Be an interesting video. Many PADI divers who’d like to move different platforms but have invested so much in it that moving up or over just feels like another agency diving into there wallets ! I personally have made the decision to stop at divemaster in the PADI platform, not as much as due to expense but more so because of feeling the training is getting watered down and is geared to everyone gets a card no matter what. And if you don’t agree with the instructor better hold on to your fins !!! It’s become so prevalent I no longer guide or assist in training anymore. I do keep my insurance to protect my self but have made it clear, shops closed ! What’s you take or advice to get out of this slump. I really use to enjoy training divers but now just dive away from the pack or hide behind my camera and watch in disgust at what they’re calling divers
Hello Binford 400, glad you liked the video. As an Instructor for 5 different training agencies, I understand why some are hesitant about crossing over. Which is all that is needed to continue ones education into SSI. As a PADI Divemaster, you would just need to complete a crossover program to learn the standards of SSI, and all previous PADI certifications (as well as other agencies) would be transferred as well. We have many crossover candidates that come to us, since we teach through multiple agencies here at the shop. As far as training being watered down, that is completely up to the Instructor not the agency. No training agency conducts training, they are nothing more than a publication company that produces standards and curriculum. The Instructors are the ones that teach and make all the difference in the world in regards to watering down a course. I tell all those that say the industry has watered down training, to become and Instructor and make a difference. SSI has what is called a flexibility rule. 80% of what an Instructor teaches is 100% what SSI says they have too. The other 20% is left open to the Instructor to make the course his own. This doesn't mean you can add skills that are not relevant to the particular course, but you most definitely can make the course as long or short as you see fit. I do the same when I teach PADI courses. The slides are my slides, as with all the agencies I teach through.
LakeHickoryScuba thanks for the reply. Nice to see the other side of the box. I’m going to give this some serious thought. I guess calling watered down might be an easier cop out then honestly reviewing instructors that you consider friends or colleagues. There’s such a push to complete the standards list that I think some instructors assume students who are weak at a skill will figure it out later. I personally disagree with this. Your the first instructor that I’ve heard admit that 20% can be of their choosing. That must make for better training. Anyway, thanks for reply and keep up the good work!
One of the biggest issues I hear from experienced divers is, newer divers are not adequately prepared for experienced dives. Truth being told, they aren't. But this is why there are several advanced level courses all training agencies offer. Experienced divers for the most part, myself included, tend to forget that at one time, we too were beginners. To say that diver training has been watered down simply because the freshly certified diver is not prepared or ready to go into a cave is simply wrong. Even if we look at buoyancy skills. A 40 hour Open Water course is not meant to make someone the most perfect neutrally buoyant diver out there. Buoyancy control and truly mastering trim only comes with practice. There simply isn't enough time to do this at the Open Water level. Training in my opinion has not been watered down, technology has simply changed to the point that old school ways of teaching have become obsolete. Equipment is 1000 times safer today than what it was when I first started (circa 1988), and the ability to learn has increased thanks to the digital age. Several of the old skills that was once a necessity are simply not needed anymore. Even if we live with the WHAT IF frame of mine. The Open Water course is just the beginning. We tell all of our Open Water students that it takes 4 things to become a diver, KNOWLEDGE - SKILLS - EQUIPMENT - EXPERIENCE, take one of them away and you are no longer a diver, just someone who is certified to go diving with in conditions equal to their training.
Hello Vod, currently the standards to become an SSI Divemaster are as follows. You first must become a DiveGuide. To start the DiveGuide Course you must be 15 years old, have logged a total of 40 or more dives totaling 25 hours or more, have a Rescue Certification (can be from any recognized agency), have the following certifications or proof of experience in Deep Diving, Navigation, and Night and Limited Visibility. To complete the course, you must have a total of 50 logged dives totaling 32 hours or more, pass the final exam with a 90%, complete the Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation, and pass all requirements listed in the Instructor Manual. After earning the DiveGuide Certification, the candidate can receive the Divemaster Certification by completing the Science of Diving Certification (which can be earned prior as well), logged a total of 60 open water dives totaling 40 hours or more, be 18 years old, and have professional liability insurance.
Hello Wild Family, we charge $1000 for the SSI Dive Guide Course. Once a diver has that certification, and they meet all other requirements, then they are updated to Divemaster for free. Go by your local SSI training center and they can walk you through the process on how to become a pro. Hope this helps.
🤯 So are any of these certified in doco procedures and tech? Sorry I know nothing about ssi. But I have a friend who is an insistent instructor and they want to do staged deco dives with me and I'm not sure if they are qualified.
Hello Joe kle, SSI has an Extended Range line of courses (including Extended Range, Extended Range Nitrox, Cavern, Cave, SCR, CCR, Fundies, etc. etc.), all which would fall under the Specialty Instructor rating. There is a separate pathway to become an XR Instructor and an XR Instructor Trainer, but by default it works the same way as the recreational side.
@@LakeHickoryScuba while were talking, ive got a question: ive got a pure sls bcd (pockets rated for 4kg). Since im drysuit diving i need a bit more than 8kg, 1 more kg would easily fit in the pockets now im wondering if the sls mechanism is the same as on the big pockets.. (if yes it shouldnt be a problem to use a bit more weights right?)
Thanks that was very helpful as im going to be an ssi DM soon. I didn’t know I can teach Specialities 👍
Very helpful. I just completed my XO course as a DM. I am currently a DM with both PADI and SSI. I am a little lost in SSI thus far, but I am catching on. Videos like this are helpful.
Hello Larry Wiezorek, congratulations on earning your Divemaster in both PADI and SSI. If you ever have any questions on the SSI side, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Another great video, thanks I hope I pass my instructor class in April. 🤞
Thank You, and good luck tazccl on your Instructor course. We will be uploading a video in the next few days on what candidates should expect during their Instructor Evaluation. Stay Tuned.
gotta say this guy knows his stuff. with i would have been certified by him when i started
Thanks scott young, thanks for the kind words.
Would u happen to have a tech lvl video?
Hello Alfa INC, we sure do. We have produced several videos going over technical calculations and operations. Feel free to scroll through our playlist. If there is something specific you are looking for, such as gear configurations, Sidemount vs Back Mount, overhead environments, we have several videos on them as well. We have a comparison video coming out in the next few weeks, comparing both Sidemount and Back Mount, starring your's truly. Should be an interesting video.
And people think PADI pro levels are confusing. Wow. What ever happened to Dive Control Specialist and Dive Control Specialist Instructor?
Hello Joe Diver. The levels can be confusing at first. During the ITC (Instructor Training Course) we break down each level to the Instructor Candidates and they get a better understanding of each level. This helps with the confusion. As far as the Dive Control Specialist Instructor (and Dive Control Specialist Certification), to help with any confusion, SSI changed it to Assistant Instructor and Assistant Instructor Trainer. The Assistant Instructor can teach portions of the Open Water Course and select specialties. The Assistant Instructor Trainer can of course teach the Assistant Instructor program. Hope this helps.
Nicely done on the differences of each level. When one becomes a professional through SSI do they get the insurance through SSI or do they have to go through 3rd party?
Thanks
Hey Will, unfortunately SSI does not have an Insurance option. We use DAN's professional liability insurance. There are several other ones out there that covers dive professionals.
Great info as usual. The more I hear on SSI the more interested I become in jumping from the PADI money trap. Lol. Is the PADI ,UTD and TDI ratings transferable to SSI ratings ?? I.e. Say your PADI divemaster with 1000 logged dives, would you qualify to start specialty trainer courses or would you have to start the divemaster training all over ??? Be an interesting video. Many PADI divers who’d like to move different platforms but have invested so much in it that moving up or over just feels like another agency diving into there wallets ! I personally have made the decision to stop at divemaster in the PADI platform, not as much as due to expense but more so because of feeling the training is getting watered down and is geared to everyone gets a card no matter what. And if you don’t agree with the instructor better hold on to your fins !!! It’s become so prevalent I no longer guide or assist in training anymore. I do keep my insurance to protect my self but have made it clear, shops closed ! What’s you take or advice to get out of this slump. I really use to enjoy training divers but now just dive away from the pack or hide behind my camera and watch in disgust at what they’re calling divers
Hello Binford 400, glad you liked the video. As an Instructor for 5 different training agencies, I understand why some are hesitant about crossing over. Which is all that is needed to continue ones education into SSI. As a PADI Divemaster, you would just need to complete a crossover program to learn the standards of SSI, and all previous PADI certifications (as well as other agencies) would be transferred as well. We have many crossover candidates that come to us, since we teach through multiple agencies here at the shop. As far as training being watered down, that is completely up to the Instructor not the agency. No training agency conducts training, they are nothing more than a publication company that produces standards and curriculum. The Instructors are the ones that teach and make all the difference in the world in regards to watering down a course. I tell all those that say the industry has watered down training, to become and Instructor and make a difference. SSI has what is called a flexibility rule. 80% of what an Instructor teaches is 100% what SSI says they have too. The other 20% is left open to the Instructor to make the course his own. This doesn't mean you can add skills that are not relevant to the particular course, but you most definitely can make the course as long or short as you see fit. I do the same when I teach PADI courses. The slides are my slides, as with all the agencies I teach through.
LakeHickoryScuba thanks for the reply. Nice to see the other side of the box. I’m going to give this some serious thought. I guess calling watered down might be an easier cop out then honestly reviewing instructors that you consider friends or colleagues. There’s such a push to complete the standards list that I think some instructors assume students who are weak at a skill will figure it out later. I personally disagree with this. Your the first instructor that I’ve heard admit that 20% can be of their choosing. That must make for better training. Anyway, thanks for reply and keep up the good work!
One of the biggest issues I hear from experienced divers is, newer divers are not adequately prepared for experienced dives. Truth being told, they aren't. But this is why there are several advanced level courses all training agencies offer. Experienced divers for the most part, myself included, tend to forget that at one time, we too were beginners. To say that diver training has been watered down simply because the freshly certified diver is not prepared or ready to go into a cave is simply wrong. Even if we look at buoyancy skills. A 40 hour Open Water course is not meant to make someone the most perfect neutrally buoyant diver out there. Buoyancy control and truly mastering trim only comes with practice. There simply isn't enough time to do this at the Open Water level. Training in my opinion has not been watered down, technology has simply changed to the point that old school ways of teaching have become obsolete. Equipment is 1000 times safer today than what it was when I first started (circa 1988), and the ability to learn has increased thanks to the digital age. Several of the old skills that was once a necessity are simply not needed anymore. Even if we live with the WHAT IF frame of mine. The Open Water course is just the beginning. We tell all of our Open Water students that it takes 4 things to become a diver, KNOWLEDGE - SKILLS - EQUIPMENT - EXPERIENCE, take one of them away and you are no longer a diver, just someone who is certified to go diving with in conditions equal to their training.
Im a ssi master diver what courses do I need to become a dm? My goal is to become a instructor 👍
Hello Vod, currently the standards to become an SSI Divemaster are as follows. You first must become a DiveGuide. To start the DiveGuide Course you must be 15 years old, have logged a total of 40 or more dives totaling 25 hours or more, have a Rescue Certification (can be from any recognized agency), have the following certifications or proof of experience in Deep Diving, Navigation, and Night and Limited Visibility. To complete the course, you must have a total of 50 logged dives totaling 32 hours or more, pass the final exam with a 90%, complete the Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation, and pass all requirements listed in the Instructor Manual. After earning the DiveGuide Certification, the candidate can receive the Divemaster Certification by completing the Science of Diving Certification (which can be earned prior as well), logged a total of 60 open water dives totaling 40 hours or more, be 18 years old, and have professional liability insurance.
LakeHickoryScuba ok nice 😊 Thank you, now I know what to do 👍
Someone told me I have to pay 2500$ for Divemaster. You said it’s free, so why would they charge me so much money
Hello Wild Family, we charge $1000 for the SSI Dive Guide Course. Once a diver has that certification, and they meet all other requirements, then they are updated to Divemaster for free. Go by your local SSI training center and they can walk you through the process on how to become a pro. Hope this helps.
@@LakeHickoryScuba What all does that $1,000 cover, Dives, courseware, ect?
🤯 So are any of these certified in doco procedures and tech? Sorry I know nothing about ssi. But I have a friend who is an insistent instructor and they want to do staged deco dives with me and I'm not sure if they are qualified.
Hello Joe kle, SSI has an Extended Range line of courses (including Extended Range, Extended Range Nitrox, Cavern, Cave, SCR, CCR, Fundies, etc. etc.), all which would fall under the Specialty Instructor rating. There is a separate pathway to become an XR Instructor and an XR Instructor Trainer, but by default it works the same way as the recreational side.
Youve been diving too mich... blue hair and beard 😁😂
Comes from not having too much knowledge of how our Green Screen studio works. Still learning though.
@@LakeHickoryScuba i know but im sticking with my story. I like it more 😉😂
Me too.
@@LakeHickoryScuba while were talking, ive got a question: ive got a pure sls bcd (pockets rated for 4kg). Since im drysuit diving i need a bit more than 8kg, 1 more kg would easily fit in the pockets now im wondering if the sls mechanism is the same as on the big pockets.. (if yes it shouldnt be a problem to use a bit more weights right?)
I think is better to start from the more basic level to the highest, otherwise who wants to know / understand it get too lost.
Hello Latina En Turquia, we all start at the bottom and work our way up.
Too confusing
Hello Oscar Perez, sorry to hear that you did not like our video. Nevertheless, thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts with us.