SSI Launches Two New Environmental Dive Specialty Courses
October 13, 2024
SSI is proud to announce two new unique specialties, "Coral Reef Restoration" and "Invasive Species Management," as part of our commitment to environmental stewardship through the Blue Oceans initiative. These dive specialty courses empower certified divers to contribute to the protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. When combined with our ever-expanding Ecology Specialties, SSI continues to be the industry leader in conservation course offerings.
Become an Ocean Guardian With SSI’s New Dive Specialty Courses
1.Coral Reef Restoration Specialty
Divers now have the opportunity to become certified in Coral Reef Restoration through SSI’s recognized dive instructors. This dive specialty equips participants with the diving knowledge and skills needed to engage in coral planting initiatives, contribute to coral health assessments, and actively help preserve these vital ecosystems.
2.Invasive Species Management Specialty
SSI recognizes the urgent need to address the threats posed by invasive species to aquatic biodiversity. The Invasive Species Management specialty is designed to train divers through SSI’s recognized instructors in identifying, safely removing, and managing invasive species, particularly in sensitive aquatic environments.
Divers will play a crucial role in preserving native species and restoring ecological balance.
Become an Ocean Guardian
To celebrate the availability of these unique dive specialty courses, we are introducing the Ocean Guardian Digital Card. This certification card recognizes divers who complete the Coral Reef Restoration and/or Invasive Species Management specialties.
This exclusive certification signifies a diver’s dedication to ocean conservation and identifies them as an Ocean Guardian.
SSI invites divers worldwide to join the Blue Oceans initiative, participate in these unique specialties, and become Ocean Guardians committed to protecting and restoring our oceans.
SSI’s Blue Oceans Initiative
SSI’s Blue Oceans Initiative sets the benchmark for conservation among the recreational diving community. This initiative empowers divers to become environmentally aware and contribute to the protection of aquatic ecosystems.
With educational materials such as the Blue Oceans Program and SSI Ecology Specialties, and now, Ocean Guardian, SSI is enabling its divers to create a direct positive impact on our aquatic environments.
If you are not yet an SSI Training Center or SSI Instructor but want to explore how you can benefit from offering SSI’s wide range of ecology conservation programs like these, call SSI at 1-800-892-2702.
Alternatively, visit these links to find out how to become an SSI Training Center and how to get a FREE SSI Crossover Kit.
Ocean Guardian Program Development FAQs
These new SSI dive specialty courses are designed to enable SSI Professionals, who are subject matter experts on these topics in their regions, to develop and submit course materials to SSI. Upon review and approval of these programs, the submitting Pro will be issued the Specialty Instructor certification for the program and can then teach and certify the program.
Check out these FAQs to get started:
- Is there a Standard to use for the development of these programs?
Programs submitted to SSI for approval must meet the requirements defined in the "Unique Recognition Specialties" Standard (Scuba Standards | Continuing Education Programs).
- Do these programs result in Recognition cards or Certification cards?
The Ocean Guardian is a digital Certification card that entitles the recipient to participate in these activities without the supervision of an SSI Dive Professional.
- Do these Certifications count towards SSI Award Levels (SD, AOWD, MD)?
Yes, as diving certification programs, the certifications resulting from these programs count toward achieving the Specialty Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Master Diver Award Levels.
- Must these programs include open-water training dives?
Yes, these programs must include at least two open-water training dives as part of the certification process.
- Which SSI Pros can earn these Specialty Instructor certifications?
As these programs require open water training dives, the Minimum Instructor Rating is Open Water Instructor.
- These programs are listed in Course Registration (MyCourseManager) under the Ecology classification. Why can Divemasters not teach them as the other Ecology programs?
The Ecology Specialties, as defined in Scuba Standards, do not require open water training dives, nor do they contain scuba-specific skills or knowledge.
Optional dives conducted through these programs would be considered guided rather than training dives. This is what enables them to be taught by Divemasters.
As the Ocean Guardian programs require knowledge and in-water skills, as well as open-water training dives, they must be taught by an Open Water Instructor or higher.
- What is the minimum age to participate in these diver-level programs?
The minimum age for "Invasive Species Management" is 15 years old, as training typically includes using devices to cull invasive species. The minimum age for "Coral Reef Restoration" is 12 years old, as training normally contains specialized equipment for monitoring and restoration.
- Can the Invasive Species Management program be developed for freshwater environments?
Yes. While the dive specialty program is most applicable to the ocean environment (corals and invasive species), programs can be developed to manage invasive species in the freshwater environment.
- What is the digital kit/certification processing price for these programs?
The Specialty Instructor Kit is SKU 93700664. The Dive Level Kit is SKU 93700651. Please refer to your SSI Pricing Guide for pricing information on these SKUs.
- What is the process for certifying additional Instructors?
As a Unique Specialty, Instructors can receive their Specialty Instructor Certification through Seminars or Co-teaching methods only.
- How do I submit my materials for approval?
Submit your programs to info@divessi.com for approval.
- Do I need to inform SSI if the program is updated after approval?
Yes. SSI approves the program for Instructors to conduct, so changes that impact the program’s conduct must be submitted to SSI for review and approval.