Dive Control Specialist Program
Diver Leadership Education with MidCoast Scuba Center - Omaha, Nebraska
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Dive Control Specialist (DiveCon) Program
This program combines the traditional training of Dive Master and Assistant Instructor into one course. It is the first level of training for the SSI diving professional. DiveCon certification offers you an expanded role beyond that of the conventional Divemaster through an in-depth and hands-on program of watermanship, knowledge development and practical application.
Course Overview
This course is designed to prepare experienced and highly
motivated divers to reach their goal of becoming a SSI Dive Leader. Dive Control Specialists organize, conduct and supervise all sorts of recreational diving activities: guided underwater trips. boat dives, beach dives, assisting SSI Instructors with dive classes, and teaching snorkeling and refresher courses. This course is the best way to gain the theoretical and practical knowledge to begin a career as a professional diving instructor.
The SSI Dive Control Specialist is both a Divemaster and an Assistant Instructor. The Program teaches you to become an effective diving leader. During the course, you will study advanced diving academics and develop leadership level diving and rescue skills
In your role as a Divemaster you will take charge of groups and lead certified divers underwater. As an Assistant Instructor, you can become part of the team that teaches SSI Diving Programs. you allow can independently teach Skin Diving Course and SSI Scuba Sills Updates.
As an SSI Dive Control Specialist you can:
Work on dive boats, resorts, retail stores and take people diving
Assist SSI Instructors in both Confined and Open Water
Lead dive trips and tours
Teach selected SSI Specialty Courses
Teach skills in Confined Water under the direct supervision of an SSI Instructor
- Teach the SSI Scuba Skills Update Program
Teach the SSI Snorkeling Program
Teach selected CPR and First Aid Programs
- Teach Scuba Rangers (after completing the Scuba Rangers Instructor training)
As a DiveCon you become a member of SSI and receive all professional publications offered. You become insurable (active DiveCons working with divers or students are required to join SSI as a professional member and carry liability insurance) and considered by the dive industry as a professional allowing access to industry only events. This is the Black Belt of Scuba Diving.
Course Prerequisites
To qualify for SSI Dive Control Specialist training you must:
Be at least 18 years of age
Have logged at least 40 open water dives
Have a current medical exam for diving, signed by a physician
Be certified at the Advanced Open Water level
Have logged experience in Navigation, Night Diving, Deep Diving, and Search and Recovery
Required for Dive Control Specialist Certification
Have a current certification in CPR and First Aid
Complete internship and teaching requirements
Complete a diver Stress and Rescue course or equivalent
Successfully complete a watermanship evaluation
Have logged a total of 60 open water dives
Required Textbooks and Training Materials
SSI Dive Control Specialist Manual
SSI Open Water Diver Text
SSI Low-Bubble Dive Tables
SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Text and Accident Management Slate
Course Structure
The SSI Dive Control Specialist course consists of 3 modules:
Watermanship and Skills Assessment
Knowledge Development
Instructional Assistant Internship Phase
Module One: Watermanship and Skills Assessment
1. Watermanship
300-yard swim - nonstop, any stroke, no time limit
15 minute survival float
2. Skills Assessment
Snorkel skills review - candidates will be assessed for their ability to perform snorkeling sills of demonstration quality.
Scuba skills review - candidates will be assessed for their ability to perform SCUBA skills of demonstration quality
Rescue skills review - candidates will be assessed for their basic diver, rescue skills, and introduced to both leadership rescue techniques and search techniques.
Open Water Evaluation - candidates will be assessed for their ability to perform snorkeling skill, SCUBA skills, navigation skill, and leadership skills in an open water environment.
Module Two: Knowledge Development
1. Academic Preparation
Dive Control Specialist candidates will be required to complete the academic reviews inside the SSI DiveCon Manual
2. Additional Assignments
Module Three: Internship
1. Two SSI Open Water Diver classes
One complete class (all academics, pool training, and open water dives)
A second class of pool training and open water dives only (candidate is not required to attend classroom sessions).
Candidate will be required to teach the snorkeling portion of either class (pool only).
2. One Organized Diving Event
Store sponsored event
SSI Specialty Course
Boast Internship
3. One SSI Scuba Skills Update
* Personal Equipment Required: mask, snorkel, open heel fins, exposure protection (appropriate to local diving) regulator, SPG, depth gauge, timing device, safe second, compass, weight belt, knife, signaling device,
Requirements for maintaining "Active" status
You must be affiliated with SSI through a current SSI Authorized Dealer, such as a retail store, charter boat, educational institution or resort. you can not operate as an SSI Dive Control Specialist without this affiliation.
You must maintain current professional liability insurance
Professional liability insurance is readily available and is required for your protection to function as an active Dive Control Specialist
To stay active, each year, you must renew your active Dive Control Specialist status with SSI and the SSI Dealer with which you are affiliated.