The Professional training levels have been developed for those veterans who have a passion for diving and a desire to share that passion with fellow veterans through WAVES Projects programs. Veterans who are actively diving, volunteering at WAVES project training events and helping promote our programs at various outreach and fundraising events will be eligible to participate. WAVES Project conducts professional level training as program needs require.
Pro Level 1 - Dive Guide
The Dive Guide program is the first step on an exciting journey. Learn to safely lead certified divers in various environments and conditions. By giving dive briefings, doing site evaluations, and leading dives, you will become a confident Dive Guide in no time.
Qualifications – Currently volunteering within the programs and events.
Candidate Prerequisites
- Minimum of 25 volunteer hours for WAVES Project in “Track it Forward”.
- Have logged at least 40 open water dives totaling 25 hours or more.
- Can exhibit exceptional diving skills and confidence in the water.
- Certification in Diver Stress & Rescue (requirement per standards)
- Certifications in Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility and Deep Diving (WAVES requirement)
Dive Professional commitment to the WAVES Project
The WAVES Project Dive guide agrees to plan, execute and lead a minimum of 6 shore dives.
Pro Level 2 - Dive Master
The SSI Divemaster rating recognizes candidates that have the knowledge and training necessary to perform the duties of a certified assistant. These duties including assisting SSI Instructors with conducting entry-level and continuing education scuba training programs.
Qualifications – Fulfilled your agreement as a Professional Dive Guide and have an SSI certification in Science of Diving.
Candidate Prerequisite
- Have logged at least 60 open water dives totaling 40 hours or more.
- Be an “active status” Professional Dive Guide
- Complete Science of Diving specialty certification
- Fulfilled Dive Guide Commitment to WAVES Project
Dive Professional commitment to the WAVES Project
The WAVES Project Divemaster agrees to assists WAVES Project’s SSI Instructors as a certified assistant with a minimum of 5 Open Water classes.
Pro Level 3 - Assistant Instructor
The SSI Assistant Instructor program provides candidates with the knowledge and training necessary to perform the duties of an assistant instructor.
These duties including conducting entry-level scuba training under the supervision of an Open Water Instructor, and independently conducting Scuba Skills Updates, Try Scuba, and Perfect Buoyancy programs.
Candidate Prerequisites
- Have logged at least 60 open water dives totaling 40 hours or more to enter
- Log at least 75 open water dives totaling 50 hours or more is required for completion.
- Be an “active status” Divemaster
- Fulfilled Dive Master Commitment to WAVES Project
Dive Professional commitment to the WAVES Project
The WAVES Project Assistant Instructor agrees to assists WAVES Project SSI Instructors as a certified assistant with a minimum of 2 Open Water classes, teach 3 Try SCUBA diving events & teach 2 Perfect Buoyancy classes.
Pro Level 4 - SSI Open Water Instructor
The Instructor Training Course provides candidates with the knowledge and training necessary to organize and conduct entry level scuba training courses. It is also intended to prepare candidates to successfully complete an Instructor Evaluation.
The SSI Instructor Evaluation assesses the knowledge and skills necessary to organize and conduct entry level scuba training courses and the specialty programs taught by SSI Open Water Instructors.
Candidate Prerequisites
- Have logged at least 75 open water dives totaling 50 hours or more, to begin.
- Requirements for completion you must log at least 100 dives totaling 65 hours
- Be an “active status” Assistant Instructor
- Fulfilled Assistant Instructor Commitment to WAVES Project
- Enriched Air Nitrox 40 Certification
Dive Professional commitment to the WAVES Project
The WAVES Project Open Water Instructor agrees to co-teach 2 Open Water Diver classes, lead instructor on 3 Open Water Diver classes and participate in a minimum of 3 Try SCUBA events.