06/28/2026
SSI No Longer Listed as Member of the US RSTC
The True Measure of an Instructor: Moving Beyond Minimum Standards
Once again, the diving community finds itself divided over the evolving landscape of training standards. Having witnessed these benchmarks shift over the decades—and not always for the better, in my honest opinion—I remain convinced of one fundamental truth: the quality of training is less about the agency on the C-card and more about the instructor holding the slate.
Agency standards are not a ceiling; they are the absolute floor. They represent the bare minimum required to pass. While it is acceptable for a student to meet those benchmarks, a truly prudent instructor understands that our job doesn't end at "good enough." We must encourage students to do more, dive more, and commit to a lifetime of learning.
Mentorship Over Minimums
Scuba diving is a unique pursuit. Much like golf, it is a sport where individuals continuously measure themselves against their own progress, with instructors serving as the essential guides.
As dive professionals, we should all strive to be more than just evaluators—we need to be mentors. By going beyond mediocre standards to provide the most comprehensive instruction possible, we build a rock-solid foundation. This mentorship is how we cultivate truly safe, knowledgeable, and self-reliant divers. Frankly, it is the only way our sport survives.
The Future is in Our Hands
Will SSI return to the RSTC? Will other agencies follow suit? Who knows. But at the end of the day, the legacy and future of our industry do not lie in the hands of agency executives or boardroom decisions. It lies squarely in the hands of dedicated, passionate instructors who don't just certify people—they make divers.
Let’s ensure we are all part of that group.
See you in the water, and dive safe!
https://diventuresmag.com/ssi-removed-us-rstc-membership/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSt5kBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4emdYaklUUllGaW5SY3hnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiCm-YvFbas9MRc55Q4mVI1ejskUm6MdLDYKfPogUaF7gJIjphcgM3v206G__aem_aHx5QoIYwddfoAOy6TG8jw
Scuba Schools International has quietly disappeared from the US RSTC membership page, with no statement from either party. Diventures reports on what is known, and what isn't.
