Open Water Diver Course: SSI

SSI Open Water Course

Underwater is Earth's final frontier, one of the few ways left to explore our world is to be able to dive.

Diving allows you to experience weightlessness, just like being in space. It is the nearest you will get to be an astronaut or sharing space, so learn to dive, giving you the ability and the skills to experience and explore the inner world.

What Do I need to Start the SSI Open Water Course?

• Be older than ten years old
• Be healthy and reasonably fit - lease read the section below Medically Fit to Dive because if you have any YES (on page 2) then you will need a Physician signature prior to commencing on the course
• Be able to swim eight lengths and float for 10 minutes

NOTE: For those that are younger than 15 a Junior Open Water certificaton will be issued. 

Between the ages of 10 - 12 years may only dive with a professional certified parent or guardian to a maximum depth of 12 metres, 13 - 15 years may only dive with qualified responsible adult to a maximum depth of 18 metres

Open Water Diver can be taught as a Referral program; this means you complete the classroom and pool sessions here with us in the UK. Then, we connect you with an SSI or SSI diver centre abroad so you can finish the program in warm, tropical waters. 

What Will I do?

After signing up, you will be sent an e-mail allowing access to the SSI online academics.  Before these are assigned you will update your profile (name, address, digital head and shoulder picture of yourself and complete the online paperwork) and then the elearning will be assigned to allow you to start the learning process. The multimedia academics with videos and multiple-choice questions keep learning fun and ensure you are prepared for your water sessions.

Once this has occured then a member of the Dive Rutland team will be in contact to arrange your pool training dates or if you wish to discuss those prior to booking please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss

Over several pool sessions (generally four / five), you will complete the five confined water dives whilst completing some theory activity.

SSI programmes are performance based, and you proceed as demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work comfortably, so do not worry if you need more time than extra built into your training schedule automatically. Although we say four or five sessions, it could be six, which equates to 10 - 12 hours of in water pool time.

Diving is like that first driving lesson (for those that drive!) or starting a new job (for those that work!) doing something for the first time can be a bit daunting but with time and practice soon becomes second nature.

Then when ready we undertake a drysuit orientation in the pool as ALL of our open water diving is completed in a drysuit suit - this is OUR standard, it is for your comfort, we want you to ENJOY your diving experience and being cold and uncomfortable is not enjoyable!

When ready, then time to complete those four open water dives, generally speaking at Stoney Cove, but at times, other locations are available​

Materials

At Dive Rutland we provide you with all of the equipment you need to have fun, explore and become a safe and knowledgeable diver this includes learning about the fundamentals of scuba diving, all dive equipment and techniques.

All you need to provide is your own swimming attire for the pool and a few additional items of clothing for the open water part, as well as mask, snorkel and if required a wetsuit (see later on for link to equipment packages)

When Can I Start?

You can start NOW, once you have purchased the course we will assign via the SSI app the online elearning element of your course which you can then start working through immediatley.

Dive Rutland is committed to helping you learn to dive at a pace that suits you, courses are running all of the time and are regularly scheduled.

​Our Open Water training days are scheduled months in advance giving us the ability to plan your course to achieve by dates that suit you

Aren't All Open Water Courses the same?

This is a statement we hear a lot, but we disagree not everything is the same or equal. Have a look at our How to Choose a Dive Centre article, which actually should be called how to choose your instructional team.

Our Quality Matters

All equipment is modern and regularly serviced. We have a large range of school equipment to fit all sizes and shapes. Our breathing air quality is monitored and externally verified regularly.

We are fully insured and meet all legal obligations placed upon us. This includes full risk management and our staffing ratios exceed industry standard requirements

Our day to day operations are fully compliant with UK HSE

Course Option:

The course is split into two distinct sections as explained below, you can split your payments by choosing Part A first and then before going to open water pay the second part or you could choose to pay for both parts upfront.

Option 1: Open Water

Option 2: Open Water and Dry Suit Diver certification

Part A : Theory and Pool

Part B:  Open Water Dives - Once you’ve learned in the pool, then you need to do four open water dives. These are normally done over 2 days. You can complete them with us two days, or at any other SSI centre around the world.  If you have chosen the drysuit option then their could be five dives in open water to allow completion of the dry suit diver

BOTH parts are required to achieve the SSI Open Water certification.

Part A: Theory and Pool

Included in the Part A Price is:-

• SSI Elearning - Open Water and Dry Suit diver (if that option selected)
  
• All Pool Fees
• Dive Rutland Dive Professional(s)
• Full SCUBA Diving Equipment Rental and air fills (excl Mask, Snorkel and Wetsuit); and
• Great Training

Part B: Open Water Element Packages

• Pool Orientation session where we fit you into a school drysuit and practise skills
  
• 2 Days open water training (exclude open water site fees)
• Certification Fees and Certification e-card - Open Water Certification
• SSI elearning

SSI Drysuit Specialty - why do the full speciality?  well you are being trained in a drysuit and have completed all of the pre-requisite training and only need 1 extra dive to complete.  This speciality allows you to hire a drysuit it is a bit like a driving licence you can not hire a car with out a valid driving license.  Worth £250

Dive Equipment Package Available

We have a number of equipment packages with Mask, Snorkel and Wetsuit (long or shorty) available

Have a look at our packages here

Are there any Additional Costs?

Yes, the entrance fee to the open water training site, which Stoney Cove is currently standing at £27.00 a day

Yes, Mask, Snorkel and if you choose Wetsuit.  Our Dive Equipment Package is great value!

What's Next after SSI Open Water?

Once you've got your Open Water Diver certification DIVE Rutland can help you progress your Diver rating and continue diving.

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