Dive Guide

Book Now!

$1500pp

To view all the session times/dates click on "book now" to enter the booking page, choose the start date you're interested in, then click "book now" and "continue" to bring up the course schedule.

Once you book your course, our team will register you for class materials. You will receive an email with a link to your materials from the agency (SSI). The director or professional training can be reached at alex@ecdivers.com if you have any questions about the course.

Are you ready to take your scuba diving skills to the next level? Sign up for our SSI dive guide course and become a confident and competent dive leader.

Our comprehensive course is designed to teach you the necessary skills to plan, organize and lead dives in a safe and enjoyable manner. You’ll learn about dive site selection, equipment management, emergency procedures, and more.

Our experienced instructors will guide you through both classroom and practical sessions, ensuring that you have a thorough understanding of the concepts and techniques involved. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice your new skills in open water, putting your knowledge to the test in real-world scenarios.

Upon completion of the course, you’ll earn your SSI dive guide certification, opening up a world of new possibilities and opportunities in the diving industry.

Don’t wait any longer to advance your diving career. Sign up for our SSI dive guide course today and take the first step towards becoming a skilled and confident dive leader.

 

Active status Professional SSI Dive Guides may also:

  • Teach, supervise and issue recognition cards for the SSI Snorkel Diver program.
  • Qualify for the SSI Divemaster rating after completing the SSI Science of Diving Specialty program.

Why Become a Dive Guide?

Dive Guide is an introduction to what it’s like to be a dive professional. Many people who are considering whether or not being a dive professional would be a good fit for them use this program as a “litmus test” to get a feel for what it’s like to work with and be in charge of one or more divers on a dive excursion. This program is also part of the pathway towards becoming a dive instructor.  While Dive Guide is built for, and tailored to, divers interested in becoming a dive professional the course also offers you a chance to become more prepared and confident to plan and conduct your own dives with your friends and family. This program can result in either a professional or non-professional ranking depending on what you prefer.
Contact our pro training director alex@ecdivers.com for additional information.

Before Class

TEST IN PROCEDURE:

All candidates applying to an ECD professional training course must EITHER have an ECD instructor vouch for the candidate on skills and fitness, OR the candidate can complete the OW skill circuit (Skills at the instructor's discretion) and one lap swim (to prove they can swim).

In-water test-in procedure can be scheduled with Alex (alex@ecdivers.com)

COURSEWORK WITH EDPUZZLE:

  • Precourse - Instincts and Habits (Video with "Quiz")
  • Mid CourseAS5 - Your Career with SSI (Video with "Quiz")
  • will receive the link & instructions before the start of course

 

Before attending your class you will need to complete some paperwork. The forms will be emailed to you for your review and can be completed by Eversign prior to your class.

Before enrolling in a class, you should take time to read and review the Diver Medical Statement Participant Questionnaire. The first page has If you have any YES answers on that page, review the associated section on the Diver Medical Statement | Participant Questionnaire Continued. NOTE: All professional candidates must also have a completed Physicians Approval to Dive form before you can participate in ANY in-water activities. It’s important to note if a physician’s signature is required, only a medical doctor’s (MD) signature will be accepted.

This class also has a helpful online training component hosted by SSI. Please complete your online training prior to your classroom session. If you have not already registered with SSI, look for an email from divessi.com. You can access online training materials, certification cards, and more at my.divessi.com or the MySSI app on your iPhone or Android.

Click here to register:SSI - Scuba Schools International - my.divessi.com - Register Now

If you have any questions give us a call at the store on 617-277-2216 or shoot our Professional Training Director Kim Malkoski an email  alex@ecdivers.com

MINIMUM AGE FOR PARTICIPATION 18
TRAINING PREREQUISITES

*or proof of relevant experience

Private courses may be available off-season or during weekdays. Please contact Alex@ecdivers.com for more info.

Dive Guides are required to come to class equipped with professional quality gear. The following items are required per Standards

  • Mask
  • Snorkel
  • Fins
  • BC with power inflator
  • Weight system
  • Gas delivery system with cylinder, regulator, & alternate air source
  • An information system with SPG, depth, and time (a dive computer is required)
  • Exposure suit appropriate for the environment with appropriate ballast
  • A cutting device
  • A compass (can be integrated into a dive computer)
  • A signaling device for deploying from depth (an orange DSMB surface marker buoy is recommended, but follow local guidelines)
  • A reel or spool (appropriate for the maximum planned depth)
  • One (1) surface signaling device (whistle or similar)
  • Logbook (physical or digital)

  • Day 1: Monday May 13 6p-10p – Zoom 1(4 Hrs)

    Orientation of program & syllabus review(.5hrs)

    Supplemental course information / Professionalism & Evaluation review(.5hrs)

    Review of on-line system and material completion. (completed as home study)(.5hrs)

    AS1 (What is a Dive Guide)(2.5hrs)

     

    Day 2: Wednesday May 15 6p-10p - Zoom 2(4 Hrs)

    AS2(Preparing for the Dive)(3.5hrs)

    Dive Briefing Review(.5hrs)

     

    Day 3: Sunday May 19 9a-3p – Pond 1(6 Hrs)

    PA1(Water Fitness)(2hrs)

    PA3(OW Skills Workshop)(4hrs)

     

    Day 4: Monday May 20 6p-10p – Zoom 3(4 Hrs)

    AS3(Conducting the Dive)(3hrs)

    ECD Make up / Discussion time(1hr as needed)

    Day 5: Wednesday May 22 6p-10p - Zoom 4 (4 Hrs)

    AS4(Dive Emergencies)(2.5hrs)

    Instincts & Habits Review(.5hrs)

    ECD Make up / Discussion time(1hr as needed)

    Day 6: Saturday June 1 9a-3p - Pond 2(6 Hrs)

    PA2(Snorkeling Workshop)(1hr)

    PA4(Rescue Workshop)(2hrs)

    PA5(Briefing Eval)(2hrs)

     

    Day 7: Sunday June 2 9a-3p - OW 1(6 Hrs)

    PA6(Dive Guiding)

     

    Day 8: Saturday June 8 9a-3p - OW 2(6 Hrs)

    PA6(Dive Guiding)

     

    Day 9: Sunday June 16 9a-3p - OW 3(6 Hrs) 

    (This session is at the instructor's discretion. It can be a Shore Night or Deep or Boat Deep)

    PA7(Dive Guiding - Deep OR Night)

Divemaster Upgrade

The SSI Divemaster rating recognizes that you have the knowledge and training necessary to perform the duties of a certified assistant. These duties include assisting SSI Instructors in conducting entry-level and continuing education scuba training programs. The additional training needed for a Dive Guide to upgrade to Divemaster is simply to complete the Science of Diving program. The Science of Diving program is a classroom only, information-based program that raises the general dive knowledge of the dive guide to that of an Instructor. The Science of Diving program consists of five concentrations including:

  • Decompression
  • Physiology
  • Physics
  • Environment
  • Equipment

As a Dive Guide candidate, you can enroll in both programs concurrently to expedite the training process and potentially save money. Certified Divemasters carry all of the same qualifications as a Dive Guide plus you can:

  • Act as a certified assistant for all SSI recreational courses
  • Assist during open water training dives by taking no more than two (2) students at a time on excursion dives
  • Qualify as a Training Specialist for the SSI Ecology Specialty programs
  • Enroll in an SSI Assistant Instructor and Instructor Training Course

Class Forms

Below you will find links to REQUIRED class forms. These forms must be reviewed in their entirety before participating in any ECDivers in-water program. Arrival to class with incomplete documents may result in a forfeiture of that class date. If you have any questions or need assistance in completing the class forms please email our training department at training@ecdivers.com.