A question for an SSI Dude

[Dionaise]

Hi,
I live in Australia and am a certified ssi diver. What courses can i do? I ask this question because i'm a junior open water diver (14 years)(57 dive)? I want to do stress and rescue, nitrox, deep, wreck, advanced dive planning, etc. Now i no i cant do my deep, wreck and my dive shop doesnt offer advanced dive planning so that counts them out. But what about nitrox and stress and rescue? also is the age for dive-con 18? cos i really wanna do that to?
Any help would be brilliant,
Thanks Dion

 

[chucky05]

Hi Dion,
Where abouts in Oz are you from? My name is John Allsop and I own Dive Experience in Melbourne and I'm an SSI Instructor Certifier and Cert IV Trainer and Assessor so I think I'm qualified to answer your questions.

Firstly you could do the Advanced Adventurer Course which is 5 dives conducted over one weekend. This will give you a peek at 5 different specialties which will increase your experience.

You could also do the following Specialty Courses:-
Equipment Techniques
Boat Diving
Computer Diving
Dry Suit Diving
Night/Limited Visibility Diving
Navigation
Search & Recovery
Underwater Photography
Waves, Tides & Currents

As for your desire to do Deep, Wreck and Stress & Rescue you will need to wait until you have turned 15 years old.

I suggest that you get your Mum or Dad to go with you to your LDS and discuss your options. A good idea could be to undertake some of the Specialties that I have listed and once you have completed any four of them that involve at least 6 dives between them you will have completed your Advanced Open Water rating. Then once you have turned 15 you will only need to do your Stress & Rescue course to have qualified for a Master Diver rating which as you probably know is the highest non-professional rating there is.

Good luck with your diving Dion and if I can help you please feel free to contact me on john@diveexperience.com.au
Regards,
John

 

[Dionaise]

I'm from south oz an ive done my nav, and night/limited vis specialty courses. Just another question. Whats the highest rating possible to get in ssi-as in leadership course wise?
Thanks mate.
Dion

 

[chucky05]

Hi Dion,
The Highest Professional rating is Instructor Certifier. The ratings go like this:
Dive Control Specialist
Assistant Instructor
Open Water Instructor
Specialty Instructor
Advanced Open Water Instructor
Dive Control Specialist Instructor
Master Instructor
Instructor Trainer
Instructor Certifier

(I must point out that there are a couple of others such as Platinum 1000 Instructor but these are mainly to do with recognition not training) I hope that answers your question.

 

[Sonet]

Hi,
also is the age for dive-con 18? cos i really wanna do that to?
Any help would be brilliant,
Thanks Dion

Hey Dion
I'm glad your part of the SSI family. I hope your having fun with all those new specialties. The answer to your question is yes. You have to be 18 years old to be a Divecon.:14: