The Optimize Pathway: Take Control of Your Time Underwater

Last month we highlighted our second training pathway, Explore & Enrich. This month we will consider a pathway focused on gas management, equipment knowledge and dive planning habits that put you in control of your time underwater: Optimize.

Enriched Air Nitrox

During the SSI Enriched Air Nitrox program, you will gain comprehensive knowledge of how oxygen enriched gas mixtures affect your body and your dive profile. The curriculum focuses on the practical application of nitrox, including using oxygen analyzers and calculating Maximum Operating Depth for different gas blends. You will also learn to integrate nitrox settings into your dive computer to optimize your no decompression limits.

This internationally recognized specialty provides the skills to safely use nitrox mixes containing up to 40 percent oxygen at dive centers and liveaboards around the world. Tom's teaches the Enriched Air Nitrox 40 program, so upon completion you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 40% certification.

Computer Diving

The SSI Computer Diving program is designed to help certified divers become familiar with the features and benefits of using a scuba dive computer. Understanding all of your computer's functions can increase dive safety while making dive planning and execution easier.

The program explores the functions and capabilities of different dive computers and explains how to use them before, during and after a dive. Many divers purchase a computer and use only its most basic information. This course helps you get more from your investment by learning to use your dive computer to its full potential.

Equipment Techniques

Choosing and buying your scuba equipment is one of the biggest and most important investments you will make as a diver, but it is easy to get it a bit wrong. We want you to choose the right dive kit for your needs and know how to look after it properly.

The SSI Equipment Techniques specialty teaches you how to choose, use and store your dive equipment. Working with an experienced SSI Professional, you will learn about the components of your Total Diving System and develop a deeper understanding of your scuba equipment. You will also practice basic preventative equipment maintenance to help maximize performance and longevity.

Waves, Tides and Currents

Diving in currents opens a world of new dive sites that often host spectacular marine life. Shore diving can also offer the simplicity of walking off the beach and exploring a favorite site. But waves, tides and currents can affect both the dive and your safety if you do not understand how to handle them.

The SSI Waves, Tides and Currents specialty helps improve your dive skills and understanding so you can enjoy dynamic open water environments safely and confidently. You will learn about environmental conditions that affect dive sites and practice diving from shore, in currents or in rivers.

Dry Suit Diving

Dry suit diving opens a world of opportunities, including remote Arctic destinations and cold water dive sites teeming with life. A dry suit can also keep you warmer on multiple dive days when you do not want to spend your surface intervals getting in and out of a cold wetsuit.

The SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty teaches the knowledge and techniques needed to dive safely and comfortably in a dry suit. You will learn how to use specialized equipment, understand the benefits of dry suits and respond to dry suit emergencies that are unique to this type of diving.

What Specialty Should I Take Next?

There are many more specialty training programs within the Optimize pathway. If your goal is to improve gas management, understand your equipment more deeply, expand the environments you can dive in, or strengthen your dive planning habits, Optimize is a great place to look for your next scuba specialty.

All of these programs are designed to give divers the knowledge and dive planning habits that put them in greater control of their time underwater.

You can see the full Optimize pathway, and the rest of our continuing education programs, at tomsscuba.com/continuing-education-pathways#optimize. Or stop by the shop and we will help you pick your next course.

Sign up for your next class, build your confidence, and continue developing into the kind of diver others want to dive with.

We'll see you in the water.

Carlos Garcia

Tom's Dive & Swim