Is the Science of Diving course fully online?

The specialty is available online with instructor-led evening classes; practical skills and checkouts are typically completed in person with a local operator.

What is the minimum age to join?

The program accepts learners aged 10 and up as noted in the course details.

How long does the training take?

The classroom portion runs across three evenings; follow-up confined-water or open-water sessions vary depending on scheduling.

Will this count toward SSI Divemaster?

Yes—completing the Science of Diving specialty is roughly halfway to earning the SSI Divemaster rating and is often required for professional programs.

Do I need prior certifications?

No prior certifications are required for the theory course, though practical diving prerequisites depend on local dive facility policies.

What technology is required for online classes?

A stable internet connection, a device capable of streaming video, and a headset for interactive sessions are recommended.

Science of Diving Specialty: SSI Course for Aspiring Divemasters in Ridgeland MS

On the edge of central Mississippi, in Ridgeland, Mississippi, United States, Specialty Class - Science of Diving flips the spotlight from bubbles to the rules that govern them. This three-evening SSI specialty - offered primarily online with classes beginning at 6pm - delivers a compact, academic foundation in diving physics, physiology, and equipment that prepares students for professional pathways. Designed for learners aged ten and up and capped at six participants when run in person, the course is an efficient step toward the SSI Divemaster: completing this specialty puts you roughly halfway to that rating. If you’ve ever wondered why depth changes your breathing, how pressure alters gas behavior, or what happens to tissues during decompression, this class lays it out clearly. Lessons move from gas laws and buoyancy to nitrogen narcosis, oxygen toxicity, and how regulators, BCDs, and exposure protection work together under stress. The curriculum balances readable science with practical decision-making - what to monitor during a profile, when to call a dive, and how to recognize early signs of a physiology problem - so divers leave thinking like technicians as well as adventurers. For visitors to Mississippi considering the course, this training fills an important local niche: it supports an inland and Gulf-coast diving community by producing better-informed, safety-focused divers and future professionals. Because the specialty is delivered online, it’s accessible to busy students in Ridgeland and surrounding areas, letting them study theory at home and focus in-person time on skills and guided dives. The structure - three evenings - makes it compatible with work and family life while keeping momentum. Expect clear, instructor-led modules, short assessments, and a certificate at completion. Practical follow-up will usually include supervised dives through a local operator to translate classroom learning into buoyancy control, gas planning, and emergency response. This specialty is especially valuable for anyone targeting SSI professional tracks or Extended Range programs, but recreational divers who want to understand the forces they live with underwater will find the material immediately useful. Bring curiosity and questions; the course rewards attention to detail. Whether you’re a teen starting a dive career or an experienced diver aiming for leadership, Science of Diving is a concrete, science-first way to deepen understanding, reduce risk, and accelerate into professional ranks while staying rooted in the realities of Mississippi’s dive community. Logistics: You’ll need a reliable internet connection, a quiet space for evening sessions, and basic note-taking materials. Assessment is typically short quizzes and scenario-based exercises that cement concepts; instructors often provide recommended reading and diagrams to review between sessions. After certification you can coordinate confined-water or open-water checkouts with a dive facility to validate practical skills. For aspiring professionals, combining this specialty with local mentorship and logged dives in Mississippi waters accelerates readiness for Divemaster leadership roles.