Every dive school on Koh Tao gets to choose which of the major dive training agencies they want to use to teach their students. So why go pro with SSI above the others, and what does this mean for you and your course?
In many ways, the largest and most well-known agencies are the same. They have been around for similar lengths of time, they offer high-quality training courses, have excellent safety standards, and they are certified by the WRSTC (World Recreational Scuba Training Council) and the ISO/EUF (International Standards Organisation/European Underwater Federation). The basic knowledge and skill requirements are almost identical which means certifications are equivalent, interchangeable and recognised globally.
Ultimately, as an SSI Dive Professional, you will be employable anywhere in the world!
There are, however, some small but significant differences that we believe make SSI the best choice for our students.
Reputation and Employability – SSI has been the fastest-growing dive agency in the world since 2010, and SSI dive centres account for 30% of the global market. That’s nearly 3500 individual dive centres in the world, around 160 of which are in Thailand – and about 30 just on our little island! This is great news for those who want to get work as a Divemaster or Instructor on Koh Tao, elsewhere in Thailand, or indeed globally on completion of your course. So when you go pro with SSI, you will be a sought after professional in a growing market, rather than fighting to find work in an overcrowded one.
Flexibility – while other agencies insist that a student must learn each skill in a specific order, SSI allows the instructor and student to have a certain degree of flexibility when learning new skills. This means if a student has a problem with mastering a particular skill, they can move on to the next skill, then circle back when they have more confidence and comfort in their abilities. Of course in the end competence with every skill is required to complete the course, but we feel this approach allows our instructors to better tailor their courses to meet individual needs.
Technology – the high quality, innovative new app, ‘Dive SSI’, uses the latest technology to provide students with access to all SSI training materials and videos, both online and offline. So your studying can be done wherever and whenever you like. The same app gives you access to all of your SSI certification cards and your logbook at the touch of a button.
The Eco Factor – while other agencies have been slow to join the digital revolution, SSI has been incredibly proactive in reducing their environmental impacts by eliminating unnecessary printed materials. Digital materials for SSI courses are available in over 40 different languages, and nearly 15,000 individual digital items have been issued to date.
Costs – in our view cheaper doesn’t usually mean better, but when high-quality teams up with lower costs, we believe it’s a winner! When you go pro with SSI there are no extra charges at the end of the course, unlike with some other major agencies. All of your fees for the first year are included in the cost of your course.
Content – knowledge is power, and SSI certainly insists on a high level of knowledge from their Divemasters and Instructors, making you a safer, more confident, and more competent professional.
So what are you waiting for? Come and join us, and go pro with SSI in paradise!