SSI Mermaid

The SSI Mermaid program is your professional gateway to mastering the art of underwater grace and athletic performance. Through these courses, you will develop the expertise to navigate the aquatic world with a monofin, evolving from fundamental skills like the breath-up and dolphin kick to advanced underwater dance and modeling routines. By mastering the four core elements of training – Knowledge, Skills, Equipment, and Experience – you will be prepared to lead swimmers from their first glides through to complex rescue techniques and expressive underwater poses, whether you are training for performance or photography, you will gain the professional skills needed to ensure every underwater experience is both magical and safe.

Intent

The SSI Mermaid program provides students with the knowledge and training necessary to safely and gracefully navigate the underwater world using a monofin. It focuses on mastering breath-hold techniques, underwater propulsion, and artistic performance while prioritizing aquatic safety.

Minimum Instructor Rating

All Mermaid training must be conducted by an active status SSI Professional who is specifically certified to teach Mermaid skills.

Administrative Requirements

Prior to beginning training, students must complete the following:

• Registration Form and MySSI account profile.
• Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire.
• Program-specific Completion Record.
• Liability Release and Responsible Diver Code acknowledgments.

Student Prerequisites

While there is no specific age listed in these excerpts, students must be comfortable in water too deep to stand in and should be proficient enough to attempt a 15-meter underwater swim.

Duration

There is no maximum time limit for completion. The program duration is determined by the student’s ability to achieve skill mastery, which is defined as being able to comfortably and confidently repeat a skill in diverse conditions.

Requirements For Completion

• Fundamental Skills: Mastery of the breathe-up (max 2 minutes), recovery breathing, equalization, and duck dives.
• Performance Requirement: Successfully complete an underwater dolphin kick for a target distance of 15 meters.
• Rescue Skills: Demonstrate proficiency in Blackout Rescue (including the blow-tap-talk procedure) and the ability to drop a weight belt for positive buoyancy.
• Artistic Mastery: Perform various poses (buoyant ascent, reflection, group) and dance skills (angel descent, spins, somersaults).

Certification

A digital certification card is issued once the certifying instructor verifies that the student has successfully mastered all required academic and in-water components.