SSI vs ISC Open Water Diver (ISO 24801-2) Course: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Choosing a dive certification agency is easier than many new divers realise—most reputable dive centres worldwide accept certifications from any ISO-affiliated training agency. For dive operators, what matters most is how recently you’ve dived and the level of experience you’ve built, rather than the specific brand on your card.

That said, training agencies do differ in how they deliver courses, the flexibility they offer, and the costs involved. In this post, we compare the globally recognised SSI Open Water Diver course with the modern, independent ISC Open Water Diver course to help you decide which path suits you best.

Overview

SSI (Scuba Schools International) is the second largest training agency in the world, owned by the corporate giant - Head NV, an international sports equipment and clothing company.  Scuba Schools International (SSI), founded in 1970 by Bob Clark. Recognised by EUF/ISO. SSI offers a wide range of recreational, technical, freediving, and swim programs supported by multilingual materials and training platform.

ISC (International Scuba Certification) is a newer agency created by industry veterans, designed to simplify the training process, reduce costs, and provide more flexibility for instructors and dive centres. Recognised by EUF/ISO, ISC offers a wide range of recreational, technical, freediving programs supported by multilingual materials and training management platform.

There are around 18–25 scuba training agencies worldwide that hold ISO certification for recreational diving under ISO 24802 (open water course). Many people are surprised by this, as the big brand names tend to dominate the spotlight. The dive industry is far more diverse, with a wide range of agencies offering internationally recognised certifications. In today’s world of instant information, you might expect more people to know this, but it’s still a little-known fact outside diving circles.

Feature	SSI Open Water	ISC Open Water
Agency Age	Founded in 1970	Founded by industry professionals in 2020s
Global Acceptance	Accepted worldwide	Accepted worldwide
Theoretical Component	Digital & Paper	Digital
Course Duration	~2–4 days	2–4 days (flexible)
Water Time Requirement	Minimum 80 minutes	Minimum 120 minutes
Maximum Training Depth	18 metres (60 feet)	18 metres (60 feet)
Maximum certification depth	18 meters (60 feet)	20 meters (66 feet)
Instructor Flexibility	Low – tightly standardised	High – focus on real-world teaching
Dive Centre registration fee	High	Nil
Student Material and certification Cost.	US$50–80 (varies per country)	US$29
Equipment Requirements	Branded equipment encouraged	No requirement for branded gear
Certification Processing	Digital Certification	Digital Certification
Crossovers Allowed	Complex and expensive	Simple and instructor-friendly
Training offered by dive centers	yes	yes
Training offered by independent instructors	no	yes
Instructor required water-proof checklist during training	no	yes
Extras	Free Digital logbook	Free Digital logbook
Open Water certification limitations	Subject to ISO standards	Subject to ISO standards
Digital quality control	limited	100% pro-active

Note on Recognition: "Global recognition" often refers to brand familiarity. However, in terms of global acceptance, both SSI and ISC certifications are recognised by reputable dive operators worldwide. What matters most to dive centres is how recently you've dived, where you have dived, and your total experience, not the agency that issued your certification.

Below, a few skill comparisons – you will note that all ISO agencies are required to teach all skills as published in the ISO standards.  Therefore, all ISO certified agencies will teach the same skill requirements with only a few variances.

Skill Area	SSI Open Water	ISC Open Water
Mask Clearing	Full and partial mask removal & replacement	Full and partial mask removal & replacement
Regulator Recovery and Clearing	Standard recovery techniques	Same – emphasis on confidence and technique
Buoyancy Control	Hovering, fin pivots, weight checks	Focused buoyancy skills with real-world scenarios
Out-of-Air Response	Alternate air source use with buddy	Same – stress management included
Emergency Ascent	CESA (Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent)	CESA and alternate ascent techniques
Cramp Removal and Tired Diver Assist	Standardised self-rescue and towing drills	Same – practical surface assistance
Underwater Navigation	Compass and natural navigation	Same – may include extra emphasis on real use
Equipment Setup and Care	Pre-dive checks and post-dive maintenance	Same, with optional variations per gear type
Environmental Awareness	Basic marine environment discussion	Strong emphasis on sustainability and impact
Dive Planning	Digital and table-based planning options	Digital and table-based planning options

Why Choose ISC?

ISC was created with dive professionals at its core, delivering a cost-effective, practical, and flexible training model that never compromises on safety or quality. Instructors have the freedom to tailor their approach to each student’s needs, supported by a fully online training management system that keeps the focus on genuine teaching.

ISC also operates under pro-active quality control standards, requiring instructors to use an instructor checklist (wet notes) underwater to ensure every skill is taught, practised, and completed. In addition, ISC mandates minimum extra underwater time beyond other agency course standards, giving you more real time in the water with your instructor to build confidence and refine your skills.

ISC means affordable, highly personalised training led by passionate instructors who care about your progress, not just issuing a certification because “it’s the big brand.” You’ll also receive your digital certification card (eCard) free of charge, with unlimited access to updated training materials after certification.

In Summary

Both SSI and ISC offer safe, structured diver training that meets international standards, giving you a certification that’s recognised around the globe.