SPECIALTIES

Specialty courses introduce certified divers to a whole new world of diving opportunities. Learning is easy. You can purchase SSI Specialty manuals and videos from your SSI Authorized Dealer. Then enroll in a specialty course, because it is recommended that you practice specialized scuba skills with an SSI Advanced Instructor.

Knowledge. Using the SSI education system you will learn the information about specific types of specialty diving that would take you years of diving to learn on your own.

Skills. Under the guidance of an SSI Instructor, you will learn the correct skills and techniques associated with the specialties of your choice to make you a more comfortable and confident diver.

Equipment. You will learn how to use an expanded range of equipment to help you make your dives more enjoyable and worthwhile.

SSI Specialty Courses(click links below for more info):

BOAT DIVING

In this class you will learn the basics of diving from a boat. By learning the basics of boat diving you will increase your confidence and enjoy of the sport even more.

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of boat. We will cover boating basics, how to dive from a boat,
emergency procedures.

Skills. There is no pool session for this speciality.

Equipment. Student must provide equipment for open water dives.

  • Student must be enrolled in a scuba program or complete certification.
    Student must perform an open water dive on a dive boat.
  • Cost: $39

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COMPUTER DIVING

In this class you will learn the basics of diving with an computer. The use of diving computers will enhance your enjoyment of this sport. 80% of active divers use dive computers. You will gain bottom time and increase your safety margin.

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of diving with a computer.

Skills. You will be required to perform a dive plan with your computer.

Equipment. All equipment will be provided for you during the class session.

  • Student must be enrolled in a scuba program or complete certification.
    Student must perform an open water dive with a computer.
  • Cost: $59

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DEEP DIVING

In this class you will learn the basics of diving deep. The recreational limit for deep diving is 60′to 132′. This is not an technical class. This class will prepare you for recreational deep dives.
Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of diving deep. We will cover the basics of physics and physiology.

Skills. There is no pool session for this class.

Equipment. All equipment must be provided by the diver. Student must have a light, dive computer and reel system w/float.

  • Student must be a certified diver.
  • Cost: $99

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STRESS AND RESCUE

In this class you will learn how to evaluate yourself and diving buddies in stressfull situations. This should be your first class after certification. This class will enhance your enjoyment of scuba by giving you the confidence of recognizing a difficult situation.

Knowledge: Using the SSI educational system you will learn the causes and prevention of stress. Detect and deal with diving related stress. Accident management procedures. Rescue skills and how to assit another diver while protecting yourself.

Skills: You will spend 2 hours in the pool learning rescue techniqes.

Open Water: You will perform 1 scuba dive and 2 rescue dives.

Equipment. All equipment must be provided by the diver.

  • Student must be a certified diver.
  • Cost: $149
  • Open Water fee not included.

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DRY SUIT DIVING

In this class you will learn the basics of diving with a drysuit. This is not an technical class. The use of drysuits will enhance your enjoyment of this sport. Drysuits are recommended for use in water tempetures less than 65 decrees by the US Navy.

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of diving dry. We will cover types of drysuits, we dive dry, emergency procedures and basic repairs

Skills. During the pool session you will learn how to prepare your dry suit for diving, proper bouyancy control, emergency procedures and cleaning of your drysuit.

Equipment. All equipment will be provided for you during the pool session.

  • Student must be enrolled in a scuba program or complete certification.
  • Student must perform an open water dive with a drysuit.
  • Cost: $99

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ENRICHED AIR NITROX

In this class you will learn the basics of diving oxygen enriched air. This is not an technical class. This class will enhance the safety of your sport and increase your enjoyment of scuba. Enriched Air Diving is for all divers.

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of Enriched Air Diving. Why we dive with EAN, basic physics of EAN, dive planning and gas handling

Skills. This is an non-diving SSI speciality. However, Aquatic Sports does recommend an open water weekend to become familier with EAN diving.

Equipment. You will learn how to use an expanded range of equipment to help you make your dives more enjoyable and worthwhile while using EAN.

  • Student must be enrolled in a scuba program or complete certification.
  • Cost: $99

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EQUIPMENT TECHNIQUES

In this class you will learn the basics of feild maintence for taking care of your own equipment. This class will give you the knowledge and skill to fix any minor equipment malfunction that occurs at the dive site.

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basic of fixing your equipment system. 2.5 hours of classroom required.

Skills. There is no pool session for this class.

Equipment. It is recommend that you bring in your own equipment system to the class. If you do not have an equipment system we will provide one for you.

  • Student is not required to be certified.
  • Cost: $99

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NAVIGATION SPECIALTY

In this class you will learn the basics of navigating underwater. Underwater navigation allows the diver to gain confidence to explore the underwater world. This class will enhance the safety of your sport and increase your enjoyment of scuba. Navigation is a must for all divers

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of using a compass underwater. You will learn basic compass patterns and techniques.

Skills. An open water is required for this speciality. There is no pool session for this course.

Equipment.You need your own compass for this course.

  • Student must be enrolled in a scuba program or complete certification.
  • Cost: $99

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LIMITED VISIBILITY

In this class you will learn the basics of diving at night or water that is less clear. Most of the ocean sea life is nocturnal. You will increase your enjoyment of this sport by learning how to dive at night. Many of the skills also apply to diving in terpid water.

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of limited visibility diving. We will show you how to set up dive site for night diving,location of boat or shore, buddy team functioning at night and communications.

Skills. There is no pool session for this class.

Equipment.All equipment must be provided by the diver. Student must have a primary light, backup light and strobe.

  • Student must be a certified diver.
  • Cost: $99
  • Open water fee not included.

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SEARCH AND RECOVERY

In this class you will learn the basics of relocation and recovery of objects lost at depth. This class consists of advanced navigational techniques. .

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of search and recovery. Class time 2.5 hours.

Skills. There is no pool session for this class.

Equipment. All equipment must be provided by the diver. Student must have a light, dive computer and reel system w/float.

  • Student must be a certified diver.
  • Student must have navigational specialty.
  • Cost: $99
  • Open water fee is not included.

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UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY

Knowledge. This class is customized to your camera system. If you do not have a camera system we will provide you with a basic 35mm or digital system for the class.

2.0 hours of classroom time.

Skills: 2 pool session required 1.5 hours each. You will learn buoyancy techniques that allow you to take great pictures.
Equipment: will vary on divers needs.

  • Diver must be enrolled in a scuba class or be certified.
  • Cost: $199

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WAVES TIDES AND CURRENTS

In this class you will learn how to read the ocean and use it to your advantage. This class will prepare you for diving in the Northwest. If you do not know what the ocean is doing it will not allow you to enjoy your diving to the fullest.

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of waves, tides and currents.

Skills. There is no pool session for this class.

Equipment.All equipment must be provided by the diver.

  • Student must be a certified diver.
  • Student must be navigation certified.
  • Student must perform an open water dive.
  • Cost: $99
  • Open water fee not included.

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WRECK DIVING

In this class you will learn the basics of wreck diving. This class will prepare you to dive wrecks up to a depth of 132′. This class does not do penetration.

Knowledge. Using the SSI educational system you will learn the basics of wreck diving. We will show you how to select the proper wreck, locate the propere wreck, correct dive planning for a wreck dive. Basic survey techniques will also be covered.

Skills. There is no pool session for this class.

Equipment.All equipment must be provided by the diver. Student must have a light, dive computer and reel system w/float.

  • Student must be certified.
  • Student must be EAN certified.
  • Student must be deep certified.
  • Cost: $99
  • Open water fee is not included.

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SIGN UP

  • Call: 888-300-DIVE or 503-245-4991
  • Fax: 503-245-4870
  • E-mail:

    sign_up@aquaticsports.com

  • Mail:

    AQUATIC SPORTS
    P.O. Box 80803
    Portland, OR 97280

First: You need to have an orientation discussion with an instructor.
Second: You need to reserve a spot in a class. (Following one of the above methods will reserve a spot for 48 hours).
Third: You need to go to the schedule (see button above) and see which class date works best for you. (If a class you are interested in is NOT shown on the schedule, please inquire with an instructor from Aquatic Sports.)
Fourth: You will need to make sure you have all the proper equipment and materials for the class. Aquatic Sports not only carries all the equipment and materials you will need, but they will happily assist you in selecting the appropriate equipment for your budget and interests.

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