SSI Independent Diving Specialty Course

The solo diver course begins with orientation and paperwork, followed by digital self-study using the SSI training app or browser. Once you’ve completed your knowledge reviews, your instructor will help reinforce key concepts through review and discussion.

Topics Covered:

• Self-Reliance & Mindset: What it means to be a solo diver and how to assess your readiness.
• Dive Planning: How to plan dives with backup air, no buddy, and contingencies in mind.
• Equipment Configuration: Learn how to use and streamline redundant systems, such as extra tanks, computers, and regulators.
• Emergency Preparedness: Risk assessment, gas management, and how to troubleshoot common issues independently.
• Navigation Skills: Foundational techniques for how to dive alone and return safely to entry/exit points without support.
• This section provides the groundwork to ensure you’re mentally and practically ready for self-sufficient diving.

In the pool, you’ll translate theory into action by getting hands-on with your independent setup.

Skills You’ll Practice:

• Redundant Equipment Handling: Efficient use of backup systems like pony bottles, second regulators, and slates.
• Buoyancy & Trim: Essential for solo diving and preventing task overload.
• Gas Switching & Monitoring: Practicing transitions between primary and backup gas sources.
• Emergency Simulations: What to do when your mask floods, gear fails, or air runs low—and no one is there to help.
• Situational Awareness: Managing multiple tasks calmly while staying fully aware of your surroundings.

This confined water session builds confidence with your gear and teaches you the skills that make SSI solo diving specialty certification possible.

Finally, you’ll complete two open water dives where you’ll demonstrate your ability to dive independently with a redundant equipment system.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct full pre-dive equipment checks for solo configurations.
• Execute planned dives with accurate navigation and gas monitoring.
• Maintain buoyancy, trim, and control without buddy assistance.
• Respond to simulated emergency scenarios using self-rescue techniques.
• Complete post-dive procedures including air consumption analysis and gear care.

These dives are designed to simulate real-world challenges and confirm your readiness to dive solo. After successful completion, you’ll earn your independent diving specialty course certification and will be fully qualified to enjoy diving completely on your own.

To take part in the SSI solo diving specialty, you must be certified as a Rescue Diver (or hold an equivalent certification from a recognized training agency).

You’ll also need at least 75 logged dives, including a minimum of 5 dives in each of the following environments:

• Deep diving
• Underwater navigation
• Night or limited visibility conditions

These dives ensure you’ve already built a solid foundation of skills needed to train in how to dive alone responsibly.

You must be at least 18 years old to enroll in the SSI independent diving specialty course.

All students must be medically fit for scuba diving. You can download the standard medical form here. If you answer “yes” to any conditions on the form, please consult your doctor in advance or reach out to us with any questions before booking.

To get the most out of your solo diving course, we recommend you’ve logged a dive within the past 6 months. If it’s been longer, we’ll schedule a quick refresher session first to help you feel confident and comfortable in the water before starting the course.