Dry Suit Diving without dry suit rental

Diving in Dry Suits

A very helpful SSI special course that helps you continue enjoying your hobby even in colder regions or seasons, while also advancing your diving education.

Why Dive in a Dry Suit?

When the shadows grow longer, the days shorter, and the water colder in our latitudes, it's the time for dry divers. Those who own a "dry suit" and have mastered the technique have fantastic diving opportunities in autumn, winter, and spring. There are few (or no…) swimmers around, and visibility in our local waters is usually much better than in summer. You can dive through clear water without disturbances. Theoretically, there are those hardcore divers who dive in a wetsuit or semi-dry suit during these seasons. However, if you want to enjoy diving and think about your health, you should comfortably step into your dry suit.

But not only in our local lakes do new perspectives open up with this course. When selecting more distant dive sites, suddenly every door is open to you. Exciting dives can be made not only in tropical waters but also in the colder regions of the world, where spectacular underwater experiences await you. Just think of the historic wrecks in the Norwegian fjords or legendary dive locations between the continents in the Silfra fissure in Iceland.

Can I go ice diving after completing the dry suit course?

No, please don't! In the dry suit course, you learn to dive in cold water using a dry suit, but to safely dive under a closed ice cover requires extensive and intensive specialised training, as such dives necessitate additional equipment and special diving procedures.

How does the course run?

The course includes:

• Theory in home study with a review in a theory session on-site with the diving instructor - see the IMPORTANT information regarding theoretical training below.
• 1 dive in the pool
• 2 dives in open water

Theoretical Training

During the theoretical training, the key aspects from home study will be reviewed. For example, you'll learn about the unique features of a dry suit, the correct handling of a dry suit, and important considerations for dry diving. Additionally, you will be informed about potential hazards you may encounter while dry diving and how to assist yourself in such situations. Proper preparation beforehand is very important - please pay attention to the notes below!

Practical Training

During the two dives, you will apply your knowledge in practice under the direct supervision of the instructor. You will experience being upside down in the water for the first time, and we will practice forward rolls and other challenging techniques with you. Why do you need this? Diving in a dry suit is a completely new diving experience! Prepare to be surprised.

Where do things happen?

The theory session usually takes place directly at the dive site, before the dive (home study is assumed to have been completed).
The pool dive takes place in a nearby indoor pool or outdoor pool in Heilbronn (depending on the season).
The open water dives take place in a lake approximately 100 km away. Each course participant must organise their own travel.
You will receive your dive cylinder and weights at our diving school in Ilsfeld.

What do you need to bring?

• Your own dry suit including a suitable undersuit
• Complete (cold water suitable!) diving gear (regulator with cold water configuration, hood, gloves, etc.)
• Towel and swimwear
• Diving certification
• Proof of fitness to dive - see Fitness to Dive information below
• Dive logbook
• Drinks

What is included in the course fee?

• Theoretical training including access to online training
• Two dives
• Filling of cylinders and weights
• Certificate of completion
• Processing fees

What are the course prerequisites?

• Diving certification (minimum Open Water Diver)
• Fitness to dive - provable via medical questionnaire or doctor's certificate - see Fitness to Dive information below.
• Minimum age 12 years
• Your own dry suit

Fitness to Dive Certificate

To participate in a diving course, it is important that you are in good health. Although certain health conditions do not automatically exclude you from diving, they should be assessed by a doctor beforehand. To help prevent diving accidents, you must present a certificate of your fitness to dive before the course. This can be done through a medical questionnaire or a doctor's certificate.

You can download the medical questionnaire here on our website and fill it out independently. The completion is your responsibility and must be signed by you. The certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue or until your health status changes (whichever occurs first). If you need to answer "Yes" to any question in the questionnaire, you may need an additional doctor's certificate. Detailed instructions for completing the questionnaire can be found directly on the form – please pay particular attention to the fine print at the end of the form!

We recommend providing a doctor’s certificate and that you regularly undergo a fitness to dive examination for your own safety. According to the Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Society, divers aged 8 to 15 years and over 40 years should undergo an annual medical examination. Divers between 16 and 39 years should be examined every three years or whenever their health status changes.

IMPORTANT!

The theoretical sessions on-site only serve as a review of the theory learned at home. The courses are designed so that only the key aspects are discussed again with the diving instructor during the theory sessions, and any open questions are clarified.
Please prepare well in advance for the theory sessions!

You can learn the theory through the myssi homepage (https://my.divessi.com) or the myssi app. You will receive access once you have filled out and returned the important documents provided in the attachment.