SSI Navigation eLearning

SSI Navigation — eLearning & Certification Credit Only

Never get lost underwater again! The SSI Navigation specialty teaches you how to confidently plan and navigate dives using both natural references and a compass. You’ll learn to find your way back to the exit point or boat with ease, improving your safety and confidence on every dive. This product provides your academic training and certification credit only — complete the theory online, then add the required in-water navigation dives to put your skills into practice.

What you’ll learn online

• Understanding navigation principles and underwater orientation
• Compass use: reading bearings, reciprocal headings, and square patterns
• Natural navigation using depth, light, and topography
• Estimating distance by time, air consumption, and kick cycles
• Combining compass and natural references for precision navigation
• Team coordination, communication, and dive planning
• Problem-solving and managing disorientation underwater

Required practical training (booked separately)

To earn your full SSI Navigation certification, you must complete in-water training dives with an SSI Instructor. These dives allow you to apply your navigation skills in realistic diving conditions and typically include:

• Two to four open water training dives
• Compass exercises including straight-line, reciprocal, and square patterns
• Navigation using natural features and environmental cues
• Combining multiple navigation techniques in real-world scenarios
• Practising return-to-boat and exit-point navigation

These practical dives are not included with this eLearning product and must be arranged separately with Dorset Diving or another SSI Dive Centre offering the Navigation specialty.

Important

• Always confirm that your chosen dive centre offers SSI Navigation training before booking your practical sessions.
• You must hold an Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent) to participate in the in-water dives.
• A compass, slate, and dive computer are recommended for all navigation dives — check with your dive centre for rental or purchase options.

Free registration

Begin your SSI Navigation eLearning today by creating a free SSI account and affiliating with our dive centre here:
Register with Dorset Diving.

What’s next?

After completing the Navigation specialty, enhance your diving precision and independence with related SSI courses such as Perfect Buoyancy, Night & Limited Visibility, or Search & Recovery — all of which benefit from strong underwater navigation skills.