SSI Dive Controller Course

Ready for a challenge? Are you looking to join the leaders of the pack? Then look no further! The Aquatic Explorers Dive Controller program is the first rung on the leadership ladder. This rating denotes you as a person who:

• Has a high level of personal diving skill.
• Has instructor level knowledge of diving theory.
  Has had significant training in how to assist an instructor during training activities.
• Is able to assume appropriate responsibilities that benefit the welfare of other divers.
  

In other words, you’re the cream of the crop and we want you!

As you may know, many Dive Controllers go on to become Instructors. So, the training and experience you gain through the SSI Dive Controller program helps shape your abilities and attitude toward becoming a professional level diving educator. To help shape you into a Dive Professional, SSI has developed the SSI Dive Controller Crew-Pak and various other material to give you the knowledge that you need.

As a SSI Dive Controller, you'll be qualified to:

• Act as certified instructional assistant to SSI Instructors.
• Supervise participants in SSI experience programs for uncertified divers.
  Generally supervise both training and no training related diving activities by planning, organizing and directing dives.
• Teach and certify SSI Skin Divers
• Conduct the SSI Scuba Review program for certified divers
• Enroll in SSI Instructor level training
• Conduct the Skin Diving Skills segment of the SSI Open Water Diver course, confined Water Diver four under the direction of a SSI Instructor.
  

To qualify for SSI Dive Controller training, you'll need to:

• SSI Advanced Open Water Diver. (or equivalent certification)
• Be certified as a SSI Rescue Diver. (or equivalent certification)
• Have logged a minimum of 50 open water dives prior to entry into Dive Controller training, and completed and logged a minimum of 60 open water dives with experience in deep and navigation prior to certification as a SSI Dive Controller.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be in good physical condition for diving and submit a medical exam signed by a physician prior to any in-water activities.
• At the time of certification, have current training in CPR.
• At the time of certification, have current training in First Aid.

The three phases in the SSI Dive Controller program:

• Watermanship and skills assessment
  • Watermanship and stamina
  • General diving skill
    
    
• Knowledge Development
  • Diving physics
  • Dive management and control
  • Diving skills and environment
  • Diving physiology
  • Emergency assistance plan for Diving emergencies in the local area
  • Mapping a local open water siteDive planning
  • Supervising students in training
    
    
• Practical Application

This involves training activities using various structured training sessions, simulated scenarios and internship sessions with actual SSI programs. These training sessions enable you to gain practical experience as an instructional assistant and a supervisor of open water diving activities, both as a coordinator and as an underwater guide.

Upon successfully completing the SSI Dive Controller program, you’ll receive a certification card and wall certificate denoting this rating. You’ll also become a member of SSI and receive benefits, including the ability to purchase professional liability insurance (which may be required to conduct some activities).

• Other Important Information

At Aquatic Explorers we offer our Dive Controllers Unlimited boat dives during their program, all you have to do is be available to come out on the boat!

We will not fast track people who only want to collect certifications, you must be prepared to finish all of your required Dive Controller challenges before we will sign you off. This is not a cornflakes packet style of course.

What you will need?

You will need all of your own diving gear, this is not a dress rehearsal, you are embarking on a professional qualification.

What it will cost?

$850.00 including Full Dive Controller Crew Pack

Many of our Dive Controllers have gone onto great things, working in the Red Sea, Underwater Photography on boats on The Great Barrier Reef, leading Tec Diving Expeditions in the Solomon's. You can do this too!

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SSI Open Water Scuba Instructor

The SSI Instructor Development Program prepares you to function as a SSI Open Water Scuba Instructor. In addition, it further develops your leadership and teaching abilities to the instructor level and prepares you to teach SSI programs.

To qualify for the SSI Instructor Development program, you must:

• Be certified as a SSI Assistant Instructor or a SSI Dive Controller, or as an instructor with another recreational diver training organization.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be fit for diving and submit a medical form signed by a physician.
• Have been a certified diver for at least twelve months and logged at least 100 open water dives with experience in night, deep and navigation prior to beginning the Instructor Development Program..
• Submit proof of CPR training within 24 months.

During the SSI Instructor Development program, you’ll learn the SSI System of diver education, standards and procedures, effective knowledge development, teaching in confined water, conducting open water training dives and additional related topics. You’ll learn these topics one of two ways; through the SSI Instructor Development Program (IDC)

After successful completion of the IDC, you must successfully complete the SSI Instructor Examination (IE). You will be evaluated on; dive theory, academic teaching, confined-water (pool) teaching, open-water teaching and general diving skills and professionalism.

As a SSI Open Water Scuba Instructor you can conduct the entire range of SSI experience programs and SSI diver programs, from Open Water Diver through Dive Controller (except for specialties and Emergency First Response, which require specific Specialty Diver Instructor and Emergency First Response® Instructor training).

After successfully completing your SSI IDC and IE, you receive a certification card and certificate denoting this rating. You’ll also become a member of SSI and receive benefits, including the ability to purchase professional liability insurance (which is required to conduct SSI diving courses).

For more information on this see our Careers Section of this website

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