I just finished the SSI Science of Diving course. First of all I want to thank
@Sloeber for kindly making the offer. It was an interesting course. All my certs have been through PADI so I used this as a way to evaluate the SSI online training delivery program and SSI course materials. (I've been doing the same with the RAID materials). My thoughts on the delivery method and course materials below:
Delivery. The online delivery method is very intuitive and easy to navigate and use. You have to create an account in My SSI and then the dive center signs you up for the course. You launch it and move through the course taking quizzes and then the final exam.
Course Contents. Overall the course was updated and well put together. I think that the science of diving fits into the SSI program as a required academic portion prior to DM training, and that shows. The class is divided into 5 sections: The Physics of Diving, The Physiology of Diving, Decompression Theory, The Components of the Total Diving System and Accessory Equipment, The Aquatic Environment. All in all it took me about 5 hours to work though taking notes as I went and another 30 minutes for the final exam. (I might have gone quicker than others as I recently finished Deco for Divers and have been working on RAID tech diving material so not much was new)
The Physics of diving was the most comprehensive and also the most disappointing. It covered measurements, gas laws and presented a good number of formulas for calculations. It was very well written and very thorough, in fact much better written then the RAID materials. It was disappointing because while it presented gas laws and formulas it offered very little in terms of practical exercises to drive home the math. The section included a portion of Air usage and supply but only covered SAC and not RMV and did not present info on calculating cylinder volume, although there were questions on that in the exam.
The Physiology of Diving was very in depth and interesting.
Decompression Theory was extremely thin. Basically went over a few basic concepts and then transitioned to a review of dive computers, multi-level diving, and no-fly times. This section was definitely written for a purely recreational diver, not as foundation for any technical diving or truly understanding decompression theory.
The Aquatic Environment and Equipment review were basically a review of Open Water 101 and Rescue/First Aid classes.
Would be very interesting to hear other perspectives on this course, where it fits into the overall SSI program and DM training.