NEW SSI Instructors.

October: Simon Garrity has wasted no time since finishing his IT course and has already taught his first SSI Instructor Training Course and both his candidates passed their IE with flying colours...Go SSImon..

Phi Phi beach clean up

September Clean up on Koh Phi Phi.

Blue View Divers of Koh Phi Phi, Thailand coordinated a two day event for International Clean Up Day, this September.
Working alongside Scuba Schools International, Project Aware and many of the local businesses in Koh Phi Phi, we organized both beach and underwater cleanups for the event.

On the 19th of September we coordinated a beach cleanup on Loh Dalum Bay, a once quiet beach that has now become crowded with beach bars.
Volunteers from local businesses, bars, restaurants and dive schools as well as countless tourists worked together to collect all the rubbish along Loh Dalum Beach.
People sunbathing on the beach got up and participated in cleaning Loh Dalum Beach in an effort that involved over 80 people.
The volunteers were divided into three groups, with stations set up with water and weighing scales in front of Sunflower Bar, Ciao Bella and Cabana Hotel Beach.
The volunteers combed the beach over the period of two hours and amongst them collected 1,326 Kilograms of rubbish.
The amount of glass collected on Loh Dalum Beach weighed 198.5 Kilograms.
The amount of Recyclable rubbish (cans and plastic bottles) amounted to 77.4 kilograms.
The recyclable rubbish was given to the facility on Koh Phi Phi, whilst the rest of the rubbish was brought off the island to a facility in Bangkok, which divided the rubbish into what could be recycled which could not be dealt with by the small recycling facility situated in Koh Phi Phi.
Afterwards, Sunflower bar on Loh Dalum Beach was kind enough to provide a free barbeque for the tired volunteers.
The 20th of September we organized a dive clean up where over 19 Volunteers came and participated in cleaning the dive sites.

Netting and plastics are devastating to the marine life in our ecosystem, it is estimated that 2 million seabirds worldwide die from ingesting plastic bags every year, one specimen found had ingested over 1000 pieces of plastic debris.
The World Wildlife Fund for Nature estimates that more than 100,000 whales, turtles, seals and birds die through suffocation, entanglement and ingestion of plastic bags and other items.

Plastic bags also resemble jellyfish, the turtle’s favourite food. Phi Phi is blessed with a healthy community of Hawksbill Turtles, despite them being one of the more endangered species of turtle.
However, their habitat and lifestyle is being threatened by the careless disposal of rubbish.
Discarded fishing nets and cages trap marine life and animals such as turtles or sea snakes that breathe air, when they become entangled they end up suffocating, unable to break free.

On the second dive we explored the site where Pileh Wall and Lohsammah Bay meet.

Divers were given a treat when towards the end of the cleanup two leopard sharks swam around as if curious about the divers working on the reef who stopped to watch their graceful progress.
One member of the team was designated reef watch monitor and gathered data on fish and coral populations on the reef to be submitted to Greenfins for a better understanding of the health of marine life in our local waters.

The total amount of rubbish collected from the dive cleanup was over 680 Kilograms, in total over the two days we had collected more than twice the amount gathered in last year’s project! This would not have been possible without all the support and enthusiasm from volunteers and local businesses.

Blue View Divers would like to thank the following sponsors for helping make this project possible:
Amico Restaurant, Aquamaster, Aquamundo, Aquanauts Scuba, Atul Keshav, Ayudhaya Bank, Barrakuda Diving, Ciao Bella,The Geoff Starr Fund, Ibiza Bar, Mama Resto, Panda Restaurant, Pearl Andaman, Phi Phi Bakery, Phi Phi Scuba Diving Center, Phi Phi Tourist Police, Scuba Schools International, Seafrog Diving, Sheryl and Tony Brown, Simon Collins, Spider Monkey Climbing, Sports Bar, Sunflower Bar, Unni’s Restaurant, Viking Divers, Visa Diving,

West Side Preperations

Al Stewart is busy getting ready for the start of the season on the Andaman Coast.

Its a hard life and a tough job but some one has to do it !

Al will be busy helping our existing customers get up to speed for the coming season and will be welcoming new SSI customers on board.

His travels will take him all over the west coast from far flung Koh Lippe in the south to the Surin islands on the borders with Myanmar.

Al intends to be based around Phuket so we can offer a better service to all our customers.

So if your on the west coast and want to know why so many are upgrading to the service that only SSI can give send us an email .

al@ssithailand.com or info@ssithailand.com

SSI look forward to seeing you soon.

New SSI Instructor Trainers

SEPTEMBER 2009 CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW SSI INSTRUCTOR TRAINERS.

SSI Australasia would love to welcome our new Instructors trainers, Lorenzo from Sairee Cottage Koh Tao / Simon from Big Blue Koh Tao / Per from Viking Divers PHi Phi / Christian from Air diving In Bali.

The new Instructor Trainers where put through 9 intesive days of training ,including several in water workshops lots of exams testing there knowledge to the limit.

SSI Is confident that they will offer exellent training to all there candiadtes and will help SSI with its ongoiing demand for SSI professionals as we continue to grow at an exellent rate throughout the region.

We look forward to working with you all!

SSI Instructor Trainer Simon with his team of SSI supporters from Big Blue Dive school !

New First Aid Course.

September 2009 Respond Right Course launched.

SSI have just run the first of many Respond Right courses at Instructor level

The new and exiting program covers the following to Australian RTO standards.

* Basic First Aid perfect for the SSI stress and rescue course.
* Advanced First Aid building on existing knowledge and taking First Aid to a new level.
* Oxygen Provider an absolute must for any Diver that is serious about Dive Safety.
* Advanced First Aid Oxygen Provider Marine Life Injuries .For the complete SSI dive professional

Course materials for both the student and SSI Instructor are of excellent quality, and include student workbook and manual,Instructor manual with interactive disk and supporting presentations.

First Aid should be about knowledge and practical application, so a lot of time is spent on the later to ensure confidence in applying these potentially life saving actions.

Save koh Tao beach Clean Up !

August 2009 Koh Tao.

Dive schools on Koh Tao had a Beach and Dive site clean up organized by the Save koh Tao Marine Branch.

The conditions today where great and Big Blue was one of the SSI schools to participate in this regular event.Big Blue where the winners of last years SSI Ecological award for there ongoing commitment to diver awareness and the environment.

SSI is pleased to report that many SSI facilities are now actively promoting Ecologicaly aware diving practices, and taking on the responsibility that all divers share protecting our oceans and the creatures that reside within them.

Wildlife release Phuket !

August 2009 Phuket

Marine animals released.

The release, which took place off Mai Thon Island, was arranged by the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and Phuket Aquarium, under the auspices of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. Amongst the marine critters that found new freedom, were 39 bamboo sharks and at least 200 clown fish. Students near the Phuket Aquarium also got in on the action by releasing 100,000 tiny prawns.

The release of the marine animals is a boon for Phuket’s dwindling coastal marine animal population, a cause for which public awareness was being raised along side this tribute to Queen Sirikit.

Bamboo sharks are harmless to humans, but their population has dwindled to nearly nothing in local waters.

There be gold in Indonesia !

August 2009 Indonesia

Wreck found in Indonesia holding millions in treasure !

The wreck of a 19th- century English ship loaded with gold and silver worth millions of pounds has been found by German adventurers in seas off Indonesia.

More than 1.5 tonnes of silver coins, gold jewellery, crystal, Chinese porcelain, cannon, muskets and 400 bottles of wine were recovered.The ship had ran aground between Borneo and Sumatra in 1806.

The team believes the value of the find to be at least £6 million (Dh36.3 million).

"I found the first things during a survey and everything just looked encrusted but when I saw there was treasure like this I just couldn't believe my eyes," Wenzel said.

The Forbes was a prolific trading and buccaneering ship that had King George III's approval to attack and plunder foreign vessels.

The Forbes carried opium and iron from Calcutta [now Kolkata] to the Far East and was on its way home with a "considerable amount" of loot and cargo.

Frazer Sinclair, captain of the Forbes, went on to skipper other ships and was decorated by George III for his bold raids on foreign vessels.

Half the value of the treasure must be given to the Indonesian government under the salvage licence agreement, but the German team plans to sell its share at auction and use the money to finance future quests.

SSI wreck specialty anyone !

Fun On the Bio Rock

I was invited by New Heaven Divers to go and assist with the Bio rock off the shores of Koh Tao.

After a briefing on how to recognize coral suitable for transplanting on to the structure, I was then shown how to attach the coral to the electrified structure that is Koh Taos very own Bio Rock.

The conditions on descending where excellent with awesome visibility and before long I had found my suitable coral from a broken coral rubble field .Devrim then showed how to clean the structure then attach my new project securely.

I was surprised at how good it felt to be part of repairing a reef after spending years admiring there beauty.

I look forward to returning to see how my part of this structure has grown with the aid of the electrical current that runs throughout the KT bio rock structure.

Full Moon Madness

August Full Moon Madness

Full moon has just finished in the Gulf of Thailand, the weather is clearing up and there are thousands of people on the move! I'm happy to state that all of our SSI Dive Centres are running at full speed and we will have hundreds of new SSI divers to welcome on board.

Whalesharks are making an appearance as if by Magic and right on cue for the new divers.

So if you are an SSI professional and you are in Thailand, get in touch with us or our SSI Authorised Dive Centres. I'm more than confident you will find work.

Buoyancy world .

Buoyancy on World Koh Tao !

A new and exiting project that should relieve pressure of local training sites, and provide a safe and fun area to practice skill sets that are critical for the environment.

SSI plans to be actively involved with this and will keep you posted on any of the developments as they happen.

To be part of this exiting project there is a meeting at dirty nellies at 7pm on the 18th to discuss structure designs and site location.

Nha Trang Vietnam upgrading Instructors To SSI

Al Stewart is in Vietnam conducting more Instructor Crossovers. Also while there Al will be introducing our new products and completing a standards check on our existing SSI facilities.

Vietnam has some great Diving on offer and provides an interesting alternative to the sites in Thailand. Expect good visibility in the shallows and lots of critters to keep all Photography buffs happy for hours. The boats are well prepared and spacious and during your surface interval you can eat as many baguettes as a frenchman in Paris.

After diving Nha Trang has plenty to offer ! great shopping great food and local beer and wine abound.Nha Trang has accommodation for every budget from backpackers hostels to the impressive Novotel on the beach.

Getting there is easy and I would highly recommend a stopover in Ho chi min en route.

SSI Is proud t o have many SSI facilities in Vietnam go and check them out.

Want to be an SSI Instructor ?

Due to expansion SSI is is need of qualified SSI Instructors across our whole region.

SSI Instructor Training Courses running on the east and west coasts of Thailand - email for details of where and when.
Work in paradise, be in demand, love your work, be part of the SSI team in Australasia.

Email: info@ssithailand.com

A new version of the SSI Training and Dive Centre Standards for our region, effective March 2009.

After reviewing the feedback from our members, we are pleased to inform you that this latest document uses a new format, which is easier to read and we hope will make information easier to find.

Some exciting changes and additions are:

· Introduction of SSI’s new ECOLogical Standards and Code of Practice;

· New Nitrox Level 1 (up to and including 32% Oxygen) and Level 2 (up to and including 40% Oxygen) certifications;

· SSI’s forthcoming SSI Dive Leader levels: Dive Guide and Dive Master, and changes to the existing Dive Control Specialist (DiveCon) and Instructor Training Course (ITC) Courses.

Please familiarise yourself with the full list of Key Changes and Additions, which is outlined on page 9.

As always, your feedback is appreciated and will be used in future editions.

If you are have problems with the attachment, you can download the standards at www.ssithailand.com/dealers/resources/forms/SSI_Thailand_Training_Standards_2009.pdf (username: thailand, password: ssi) or by logging onto the Downloads section on ODiN at www.diveSSI.com using your Member number and password.

Happy diving,

SSI In Vietnam

I always enjoy going to Vietnam, . Once again I was lucky enough to spend some time in Nha trang. While there we had a real busy week and achieved the following.

• Crossovers : SSI welcomed two new instructors Steve and Chris from Octopus divers. I was impressed with their attitude and loved the enthusiasm these young guys had for teaching diving.

• Standards Check: SSI believes in quality and took this opportunity to ensure that courses and facilities met the high standards that SSI has set across the globe.

• Dive center update: SSI introduced all the new services and courses we have on offer.

• Diving: I couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the dive sites around Nha Trang, as usual the diving had me hooked. Visibility was good and my camera went in overdrive with all the critters that diving in Vietnam has to offer. On my next visit I have been promised a trip out to some of Vietnam’s outer islands I can’t wait.

• MPA Training: First aid and Oxygen provision Training for the Marine Park Association was conducted the first course in a commitment made to provide ongoing training for the Vietnamese government s MPA.

• Ecological : campaign was launched in the Vietnamese market.

SSI Training goes on line.




SSI Online training is now available!

As a potential diver you have many choices when it comes to activities and we wanted to make sure you had a chance to try the SSI system of scuba diving training. One of the barriers to becoming a diver is the fear of the unknown and the investment of time and cost. Online training is designed to educate you on what it means to become a scuba diver. The information demonstrates what it takes to stay safe and comfortable during your underwater adventures. At anytime during your online experience you can contact your local SSI Dive Center and complete your scuba diving course! Once you try it you¹ll be hooked!

Check out the SSI online training program by clicking on the graphic above.

Dive centres wishing to run this exiting program contact us on info@ssithailand.com

DEMA in Las Vegas.

Viva las Vegas DEMA show.

Well someone had to go !This time I was lucky enough to endure two twelve hour flights from Thailand’s southern beaches to the desert oasis that is Las Vegas in the USA. The DEMA show (Dive Equipment Manufacturers Association) is a huge show so big in fact that they had motorized transport inside the hall.

SSI Thailand was there to see how our colleges in SSI USA done things and to promote Thailand ,Vietnam and other world class diving destinations’ within our region.SSI had a great presence there and it was awesome to see our co workers rushed of their feet dealing with new and old customers alike.

However after walking for miles and visiting the famous Las Vegas Strip. I was missing home so it was with great relief that I found the Tourism Authority of Thailand had a stand at DEMA. Within minutes I felt right back at home eating Thai sweets and receiving lots of warm Thai smiles.

West Coast Dreaming

SSI Has just had an awesome trip to the west once again visiting Koh Phi Phi ,Krabi ,Phuket and seeing our friends up in Kow Lak. Beaches are busy bars are buzzing on Phi Phi,Mantas are playing hard and thrilling divers at the Simmilans so be quick you may get to dive with these awesome flying Rays. Krabi and phuket offered the same idilic surroundings as always.However my credit card preffered Island life as Donna found a slice of heaven at all the shopping venues in Phuket.

Blue Views Phi Phi Clean Up Marthon......

Blue View Divers, Koh Phi Phi, organized and arranged 3 days of activities for International Clean up Day 2008 (19th September- 21st September) in association with SSI and Greenfins Thailand, collecting just over 645kgs of debris from our beaches and dive sites.

Friday 19th September started off at 9am, and it was back to school for all of us!!!

All 60 children and 12 staff (including the school principal, Khun Wirawat) of The Phi Phi Island Village School were assembled in the playground to look through posters explaining how long different types of debris take to break down, talk about ICC and beach clean-ups.In less than 1 hour the children collected and categorized over 78kgs of rubbish from the beach located in front of the school!!! Everyone proudly received their SSI Certificates of Participation. Congratulations guys!!!

We then headed out to Phi Phi Ley snorkeling to examine the different aspects we had just talked about: types and shapes of hard and soft coral, the importance of algae in the different colored corals, the life supported by the reefs and different types of damage.

A huge Blue View thank you to all the children for making our day sanuk maak!!!
You are all underwater superheroes!!!

Saturday 20th September:

Sunflower bar was our starting point and host for a beach clean-up along Loh Dallum Beach (Phi Phi Don), aimed at encouraging community involvement, responsibility, and raising awareness of the length of time that debris takes to break down and the detrimental effects to the environment and tourist industry in the interim.

23 volunteers arrived for the morning session, and a further 35 plus for the afternoon clean-up (each lasting just over an hour due to the heat!) An astounding 501 kgs of rubbish was collected and categorized, including more rope and netting than we could count, cigarette butts, fish traps and cages, and a boat captain’s seat.

Sunday 21st September:

Sunday morning and 2 longtail boats headed out on choppy seas with 9 divers and 1 snorkeler to Phi Phi Ley, where we focused on 3 dive sites: Viking Cave, Lohsammah Bay and Piley South.

A total of 64.6kgs of rubbish was collected, including clothing, fishing nets, line and cages, rope, beverage cans and bottles etc. We are also optimistic that the ReefWatch data from these 3 sites will prove useful to Greenfins and the PMBC in terms of monitoring the health of these reefs over time.

Blue View Divers would like to thank Aquanauts for their enthusiasm and assistance over all 3 days of activities.

PICTURES TO COME.......

Busy as Sea Bees

On the latest International Coastal Cleanup Day, Sea Bees Diving, Phuket had 32 guests in all, both their own customers and those who joined in from other dive companies around Phuket. Everyone met at The Anchor Inn (the Sea Bees restaurant next to the dive shop), and at 9.10 am we left for Chalong Pier where, once onboard, a final equipment check took place before MV Excalibur II set off for Koh Mai Thon.

This small island on Phuket’s south-east coast, with it’s beautiful sandy beaches and clear water, is a perfect spot for holidaymakers who want to escape the stresses and strains of modern life. The diving is suitable both for beginners and for those who just want to drift their way through a nice relaxing dive. The many small pinnacles offer a diverse range of marine life such as moray eels, nudibranchs, fusiliers and soldier fish - sometimes even razorfish are to be found bobbing gently just above the sand. Sea Bees only make occasional visits to the dive spots around Koh Mai Thon, when they want to avoid the congestion sometimes found on the busier sites or to offer their divers something a little bit different from the rest. During previous dives we realised that a thorough clean up was necessary to remove rubbish which our divers had begun to find there.

During our one hour journey to the site our tour leader Stefan gave a very detailed briefing about the dive site itself, and also about procedures for safely cleaning the reef without causing any damage to the corals, after which gloves and net-bags were distributed to all. Once the clean up began there was a steady stream of divers returning to the surface with full loads - almost every 5 minutes another net-bag appeared filled with beverage cans, nets, plastic bottles, shoes, flip flops etc. At one point even a large truck tyre was taken from the reef. Stefan, who was stationed on our dinghy, was very busy meeting all the dive teams to collect the rubbish until, after one hour of diving, two large barrels had been filled (not including the truck tyre which would not even fit). In all, about 100 kg of rubbish was collected.

On the way back to Phuket every participant received a Certificate of Recognition for their involvement in the International Coastal Cleanup Day, which was supported by SSI (Scuba Schools International), TDA Diving Association (Thailand) and Green Fins Thailand, which is affiliated to the United Nations.

After arriving back at the pier, everyone was treated to a drink at the Anchor Inn. All participants could clearly see the importance of the clean up and were very satisfied with the good work done on the day. All in all the event was a great success so thank you again to all participants - the environment will thank you for it on your next dive.

Welcome aboard.....

SSI Thailand welcomes three new Dive Centres on Koh Tao

SSI Thailand is happy to welcome three new Dive Centres on Koh Tao to the SSI Family.

Golden Diver, part of the Golden Travel group, joined SSI in August.

Sairee Cottage Divers opened in July and crossed over their four instructors, Trevor, Mick, Manuel and Dmo, in August and September.

New Heaven Dive School will crossover five instructors in early October.

Save Koh Tao Group

SSI, New Heaven Dive School and the Save Koh Tao group are working together to train SSI Dive Leaders and Instructors in the ECOLogical Monitoring Program (EMP) Specialty so divers and Dive Leaders all over Koh Tao can survey the transect lines and contribute invaluable information on positive and negative trends regarding marine life around Koh Tao’s islands.

For more information on the Marine Conservation Branch of the Save Koh Tao Group, visit: www.MarineConservationKohTao.com

BIO ROCKS !!!

19. September 2008: Construction of Koh Tao’s Second Biorock begins

Construction of Koh Tao’s Second Biorock named Hin Fai, which means Electric Rock in English, begins this week.

SSI Thailand encourages divers and Dive Leaders from all participating SSI Dive Centres and Resorts on Koh Tao to help and be as active as possible during construction of the Biorock.

All income from SSI’s ECOLogical Monitoring Program Specialty Courses conducted in Koh Tao will be donated directly back into projects of the Marine Conservation Koh Tao branch of Save Koh Tao.

The Biorock structure will be constructed in the gardens of SSI Dive Centre, Phoenix Divers, located at A.C. Resort in Sairee Beach, before being resituated at the dive site north of Sairee Beach in Koh Tao.

Lectures will be given in the evenings to promote environmental awareness and education of the Biorock activities.

Links

• Save Koh Tao Group’s Marine Conservation Branch - www.MarineConservationKohTao.com
• Biorock TM - www.biorock.net

Reuseable Ecological banners

Reusable vinyl banners available for beach and dive site clean-ups

The following 1.5m x 4.0m reusable vinyl banners are available for SSI Dive Centres to promote their own beach and dive site clean-ups.

Already, the following Dive Centres have taken advantage of this to help promote their own environmental activities:

• Big Blue Diving, Koh Tao
• Save Koh Tao Group, Koh Tao
• Sea Bees Diving, Phuket
• Blue View Divers, Koh Phi Phi

Information on these activities will appear here shortly.

Please also use the myEvents section to advertise your own Dive Centre’s environmantal activities.

If you would like to use the banners, please email info@ssithailand.com.

Training Oppurtunites

SSI Thailand is currently looking for candidates to be sponsored through an ECOLogical Mapping Programme course - EMP.

We are looking at training one person from every associated SSI Thailand school to Specialty instructor level.

The Instructor Course takes four days and teaches candidates how to set up ECOLogical Mapping Programmes and how to conduct on-going reef surveys.

So far three candidates have completed the course and all state they have an increased knowledge of reef structure and its on-going problems.

To start with, we are running this program in the Gulf of Thailand and will be looking at expanding to cover the Andaman coast and beyond over the next year.

Once trained, all certification revenue raised by SSI from EMP Specialty Course students will be directly reinvested into local environmental projects, hopefully setting a precedent for sustainable reef and environmental awareness projects.

Candidates must:

• Be an Active SSI Instructor or DiveCon;
• Be Associated with an Active SSI Dive Centre;
• Have a recommendation from Dive Centre manager/owner;
• Show commitment to offering ongoing EMP training.

Interested?

Email: gary@ssithailand.com

Shine on you Crazy Diamonds !!

SSI launches new global Dive Center Standards

For over 35 years SSI has stood for high quality training.

SSI only works with Dive Leaders now and in future who are affiliated with professional Dive Centers. Since the beginning SSI Dive Centers must provide a retail surrounding with regular opening hours and the business needs to be conducted with an approach of quality and professionalism.
The time has passed by and the market has changed driven by the needs of the modern customers. Based on that fact the Dive Center Standards have been completely revised and supplemented.

A new quality label was founded in this transition – The DIAMOND Status
The SSI Diamond Dive Center Status recognizes SSI Dive Centers that make a commitment to excellence and leadership in the categories of

• BUSINESS PRACTICES & ETHICS
• QUALITY ASSURANCE
• EDUCATION COMMITMENT
• CUSTOMER SERVICE
• DIVING PASSION.

Only Dive Centers recognized as the leaders in their marketplace can be considered for the SSI Diamond Dive Center rating.

Any Dive Center or Dive Resort can reach out for the DIAMOND Status regardless, if Instructor Training is offered or not. But the SSI DIAMOND DIVE CENTER rating is a privilege. All accounts are reviewed frequently to ensure they continue to meet or exceed the standards. SSI reserves the right to revoke the SSI Diamond rating, if the account, in SSI’s judgment, does not meet the standards.
The goal of the new Dive Center Standards is to provide more transparency in finding an outstanding Dive Center. In addition to that very ambitious SSI Partners get the chance to receive recognition for their performance.

Want a JOB ?

Event Calender & Job Placement ServiceEvent Calender & Job Placement Service

The new interactive Event Calender is available to all SSI Facilities and Resorts now. Just type in your Course Dates or Events and use the SSI Webpage as your marketing plattform to attract new clients. All data is live online immediately and the diver can customize the display of the calendar to his personal needs.

Start your personal Event Calender here: http://www.divessi.com/online-certification or click in the Menue on the left side on myEvents .

Additionally you can use the Job Placement Tool from now on, if you want to seek for new Team Members by using the SSI Website. Please be aware that the data concerning your person / facility will be published on the SSI Webpage and therefore it can be seen by a third party.

Start your new career here: http://www.divessi.com/myjobs or click in the Menue on the left side on myJobs .

New Course .

Indoor Diver – A new approach with SSI! SSI as one of the leading training agencies worldwide with more than 2000 Dive Centers and training materials in more than 25 languages presents as the first complete Indoor Training System. Diving is a very relaxing and at the same time exciting activity which is suitable for all age levels. But you may have never ever have thought of taking your complete training in an Indoor Dive Center during the cold season. This is now possible with the new SSI Indoor Diver Program and it provides a lot of advantages: People interested in diving can do a full diver training program any time regardless the season under ideal conditions After successful completion of the Indoor Diver Program divers can directly take their first Specialty Course Programs. By doing so they will be able to collect valuable diving experience and gain necessary comfort before they go to the open water the first time People who enjoy the feeling of diving and being weightless but who do not want to go in the open water at all can enjoy themselves and get the opportunity to live their diving dreams An upgrade to SSI Open Water Diver is possible any time and even on the next holiday. The update is very flexible so the divers will not feel that they have to do the same thing twice. All open water exercises can be redone throughout all four open water dives or they can be compressed in one dive so the divers have the chance to enjoy the other three. Just get your personal Open Water Diver Kit at your SSI Dive Center and make the first steps towards your new leasure activity. Your Kit contains a manual and a DVD which provides more background information, practical application and hints for an enjoyable entry into diving. There is a lot to discover as diving is only really fun with the right skills and in quality diving equipment. The Indoor Diver creates opportunities as after successful completion you can start new adventures straight away. You can continue your education and combine Specialty Course programs in areas like Digital Underwater Photography, Perfect Buoyancy, Equipment Techniques and Shark Diver. The possibilities are limitless and you do nothing twice as you can upgrade your status to Open Water Diver any time in one of the SSI Dive Centers around the world. Once the upgrade is done your “Indoor Specialties” count towards all other Continuing Education Ratings like Specialty Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver and Master Diver. Just get additional information about your possibilities at one of the 2000 SSI Dive Centers or directly from the SSI Headquarter. If you are interested in a personal counseling on training or the right equipment for your first watersports holiday – go and visit your SSI Facility nearby!

© 2006, 2007 SSI |		291

How much have you Done?

NEWS - 21. March 2007: SSI C-Card StatisticSSI C-Card Statistic

From now on you can view your personal c-card statistic when you logged in as a dive leader. Click the statistic function ON and just see your entire c-card history with one view. The certificates with adequate data quality from the previous years have been uploaded as well, so that you can get an overall picture of the entire c-cards you have issued.

Click here: http://www.divessi.com/ccard_status or click on myC-Cards in the Menue on the left side

NEWS - 20. June 2008: SSI Improves Dive Leader & Dive Center Download Area

Having the right documents at the right time is critical for success. Nobody wants to search for important information when it is needed immediately. To help better serve your needs, SSI has updated the Download Area structure and overview functions by adding an “Explorer Bar”.

This feature allows you to find what you want with just one click. The Download Area contains several language materials now and will be supplemented currently in order to provide you with the best possible service.

Folders & Content:

• SSI Dive Business International Magazine: All editions of the DBI Magazine in PDF format for Download
• SSI Downloads – Dive Leader: All Instructor Outlines, PEGs, Final Exams and necessary forms for all programs a Dive Leader is allowed to teach
• SSI Downloads – Divers: Screen Savers, Wallpapers and Multimedia Downloads for Divers
• SSI Forms – Dive Leader: Dive Leader Applications and all standards forms which you need to sign up a student for a program like Medical Questionnaires, Assumption of Risk and Liability Releases
• SSI Forms – Divers: RSTC Medical Guidelines for a Physician
• SSI Newsletters: The folder contains all editions of the Newsletters of the SSI Office you are affiliated to
• SSI Training Standards: The folder contains the most actual version of the Dive Center & Training Standards plus Standards Overviews and Equivalence Lists
• SSI Marketing Material: This business support folder is for Dive Centers only. It contains all web banners, logos, pictures, posters, flyers and advertisements in digital format to support SSI Dive Centers with their marketing efforts