SSI in Western Canada

[Julian55]

I have been a diver now for 2 years and did all my training through BC Dive and Kayak, currently I am looking to advance my diving skills through some more courses but BC Dive are a very slow store and they don't really push the diving at all. What are my options other than to move over to PADI, there seems to be no other SSI around. I'm in Vancouver BC.

 

[Julian55]

Well thanks for all the replys, anwsers why no one wants SSI in Canada
PADI here I come

 

[Swampdonkey]

you got some stores in powel river and on the island. I had some snarky response to your second post but felt that two wrongs don't make a right.

SSI Scuba Schools International: Welcome to SSI! Check out the link to find other stores in canada.

As for your store... what are you looking to do? I realize they don't push their diving but you don't have to dive through an ssi store to get your dives up let alone switch agencies. LDS in canada want divers, period. So find the store you like in the lower mainland, one good one in south surrey, close to white rock, and get diving.

 

[Julian55]

"snarky" response? for what!! I posted a question regarding SSI in the SSI section, 12 days later the only response I get is you!! wow maybe I should have checked their website. If only I had thought of that!! Diving is not my issue I dive twice a week, but continuing my studies through SSI is what I want and have no option to do so, tell me how am I supposed to particiapte in a dive control course with no store around? I was hoping for a respones from someone affiliated with SSI, kinda like all the other sections on the forum.

 

[Swampdonkey]

"snarky" response? for what!! I posted a question regarding SSI in the SSI section, 12 days later the only response I get is you!! wow maybe I should have checked their website. If only I had thought of that!! Diving is not my issue I dive twice a week, but continuing my studies through SSI is what I want and have no option to do so, tell me how am I supposed to particiapte in a dive control course with no store around? I was hoping for a respones from someone affiliated with SSI, kinda like all the other sections on the forum.

Well, SSI doesn't offer up a straight up dive control specialist course anymore.
You do have to do the graduated learning. Another thing to keep in mind, to be a dive control specialist you have to be affiliated with an SSI store, such as BC dive and Kayak. So to truly continue on with your studies to become a professional diver you need to get the owner/ manager of that store to take you on. I know they want more dive cons but they do so in SSI with caution because you will become an employee of the store in question. If you are looking to just move up your status with no ssi affiliation then Padi is the way to go as you don't have to be apart of a store and can move up a little easier.

In the end, you will walk into the politics of diving of which agency is doing it better.

I hope this helps as SSI canada doesn't really exist as it use to and USA reps don't know alot about whats going on up here.

As for 12 days, you do have to realize that agencies have people watch these forums occasionally. If you really wanted a response from an ssi rep, you should of gone to their site and contacted them through that instead of through here. The US rep has shown from time to time but not on a consistent enough to say he read your post.

 

[wedivebc]

Well thanks for all the replys, anwsers why no one wants SSI in Canada
PADI here I come

I think you will fit in well with PADI

 

[Swampdonkey]

I think you will fit in well with PADI

And this is the silly politics that are played.

I do apoligize if I offended you before Julian, just realize that if you really wanted firm answers scubaboards isn't the place to find them, especially about becoming an dive con.

GL with your future diving and just keep diving. This industry doesn't need any more politics then it already has.

 

[Julian55]

I have sent several emails to SSI and had no response, I have also made my intentions known to BC Dive, like I said there interest in diving is low at best. I am frustrated with my lack of options, I truly beleive that SSI is better than Padi, that is not to say I think that "all" padi instructors are bad but through my experience, the divers I have dove with that are SSI are safer divers than Padi's.

Thanks for your response. Not sure what wedivebc is refering too, I would have thought that someone that wants to continue with SSI would be a good thing?

 

[Swampdonkey]

I have sent several emails to SSI and had no response, I have also made my intentions known to BC Dive, like I said there interest in diving is low at best. I am frustrated with my lack of options, I truly beleive that SSI is better than Padi, that is not to say I think that "all" padi instructors are bad but through my experience, the divers I have dove with that are SSI are safer divers than Padi's.

Thanks for your response. Not sure what wedivebc is refering too, I would have thought that someone that wants to continue with SSI would be a good thing?

I know if you want to continue on with ssi, you can contact a store in powell riverScuba Diving in BC: Powell River on the Sunshine Coast is one of the best scuba diving locations. I do know they are more into the diving then anything else.

another option is to try and contact ssi canada. I am not sure the exact email you would want but I am also at a lose as to what they can do for you except what I said with finding another store.

Wish I could help more but I don't know enough people to really help you out west. Sorry