About

advance open water

The Advanced Open Water Diver certification is a progressive step in scuba diving training offered. This certification allows divers to enhance their skills and gain experience in various diving environments. It is designed for certified Open Water Divers who wish to explore more challenging dive sites and improve their diving abilities.

Prerequisites for Enrollment

To enroll in the Advanced Open Water program, participants must hold an Open Water Diver certification from SSI or an equivalent certification from another recognized agency. The minimum age requirement is typically 12 years old, although some specialty dives may have different age restrictions.

Program Structure

The Advanced Open Water course consists of both academic sessions and practical open water dives. Participants are required to complete five specialty dives, which can include options such as Deep Diving, Navigation, Night Diving, Wreck Diving, and Enriched Air Nitrox. Each dive focuses on specific skills and knowledge relevant to that specialty.

1. Academic Sessions: These sessions cover theoretical knowledge related to each specialty dive. Students learn about planning, safety considerations, equipment requirements, and environmental awareness.

2. Open Water Dives: Each student must complete one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with an SSI Instructor. This hands-on experience is crucial for applying the knowledge gained during the academic sessions.

Depth Limitations

The maximum training depth for the Advanced Open Water Diver program is typically set at 30 meters (100 feet). This depth limit ensures that divers can safely explore deeper dive sites while still being within the bounds of their training.

Benefits of Certification

Achieving the Advanced Open Water Diver certification provides several benefits:

• Increased Confidence: Divers gain confidence in their abilities as they tackle new challenges and refine their skills.

• Expanded Dive Opportunities: Certified advanced divers can participate in a wider range of diving activities and access more diverse dive sites.

• Pathway to Further Training: Completing this certification opens doors to additional specialties and higher-level certifications like Master Diver or Divemaster.

Recognition Ratings

Upon completing a certain number of Specialty Programs along with logged dives, divers will automatically earn recognition ratings such as SSI Specialty Diver, SSI Advanced Open Water Diver, and SSI Master Diver. These ratings serve as a testament to their skills and commitment to safe diving practices