Referral Diver

 The SSI Referral Diver program is intended to provide students with the knowledge and training necessary to dive autonomously with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in a pool equivalent with their training. A student that completes all the academic sections and pool/confined water sessions for the Open Water Diver program can be issued the Referral Diver digital card with the intent of completing their open water training dives at a later date and/or with another dive center/resort. 

• Complete all academic sections and assessments outlined in the Open Water Instructor Manual.
• Complete an Open Water Diver final exam with a passing score of 80%.
• Complete all pool/confined water sessions and skill evaluations outlined in the Open Water Instructor Manual.
• Complete the water skills evaluation outlined in the Open Water Instructor Manual.
• Water skills evaluations must be completed before participating in any open water training dives.

• Upon completion of all academic and pool/confined water requirements, including water skills evaluation and final exam, an Open Water Instructor or higher must issue a digital Referral Diver certification card.
• Certified Referral Divers may dive autonomously with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in a pool equivalent with their training.

To upgrade a Referral Diver to Scuba Diver, Indoor Diver or Open Water Diver:

• The SSI Instructor completing the open water training dives must upgrade the student in ODiN in order for them to receive their digital certification card.
• Open water training dives for all SSI programs are required to be completed within six (6) months of the last academic or in-water training session.
• If it has been more than six (6) months from the issue date of the Referral Diver certification, an SSI Dive Professional must conduct a re-evaluation (both knowledge and skill review) to determine if the student is sufficiently proficient to continue to the open water training dives.
• If it has been more than 12 months since the student’s last in-water session, the student must complete a Scuba Skills Update and re-take and pass the Open Water Diver final exam.