Scuba Schools International

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The SSI logo

Scuba Schools International or SSI is an organization that teaches the skills involved in scuba diving and supports Dive Businesses and Dive Resorts.

SSI has well over 2,200 authorized dealers and 35 Regional Centers and Area Offices all over the World.

Scuba Schools International offers internationaly recognized Scuba Training Programs for all levels - starting with Snorkeling and entry level diving courses up to Instructor Certifiers. The most common Programs are: SSI Open Water Diver (OWD), Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD), more than 30 different Specialty Courses (like EAN Nitrox, Deep diving, Underwater Navigation, Night diving and Limited Visibility and many more). Dive Leader Training Programs start with the Dive Control Specialist (who is qualified like Assistant Instructor) followed by Open Water Instructor and above.

SSI's training Program for Kids 8-12 Years is called Scuba Rangers. The Training Program for technical Divers is called TechXR (Technical Extended Range) and inculdes Decompression Diving, Trimix and other courses the exceed the limit for recreational divers.

SSI Scuba Training programms are certifed/recognized throughout the world (such as RSTC - Recreational Scuba Training Council, EUF - European Underwater Federation, CUA - China Underwater Association and others).

Founded in 1970 SSI was one of the pioneers of professional Scuba Training. They were the first organisation to present a complete Training Program including full motion video and the pioneered all areas of Diving Education.

A major difference between SSI and other diver education organisations like PADI, NAUI, CMAS and others is that SSI is a Retail based orgnaisation which will insure the quality of training worldwide.

SSI is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado and is owned by Concept Systems International, Inc. It was founded by Robert Clark in 1970. In 2008 it was acquired by Doug McNeese (owner of NASDS until the merger with SSI in 1999) and Robert Stoss (Manager Scubapro and Seemann Sub) - both beeing icons in the Dive industry for years.

Scuba Schools International is a member of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council.^[1]