1. Your Body and the Aquatic Environment
– The Ultimate Dive Experience
– A Brief History of Man’s Attempts to Enter the Aquatic Realm
– Effects of Pressure on the Surface and Underwater
– Squeeze: Primary Effects of Pressure on Descent
– Equalization Techniques
– Reverse Squeezes
– The Snorkeling System
– Adaptation to the Aquatic Environment
– Underwate Communication

2. Using Your Life Support Equipment Underwater
– Heat Loss in the Water
– The Exposure System
– Developing Proper Breathing Patterns
– The Delivery System
– The Information System
– The Concept of Buoyancy
– The Buoyancy System
– The SSI Equipment Service Program
– SCUBA Assembly
– The Accessory System
– The Basic Rules of Scuba

3. Breathing Gas And The Effects On Your Body
– Introduction to Pressure Injuries
– Basic Respiratory and Circulatory Anatomy
– Effects of Pressure on Ascent
– Overexpansion Injuries
– Flying After Diving
– Nitrogen Narcosis
– Carbon Dioxide Buildup (Hypercapnia)

4. The Value of a Dive Buddy and Executing Your Dives
– The Value of a Dive Buddy
– Proper Procedures for Shore Diving
– Executing the Dive
– Calculating Gas Consumption and Time at Depth

5. The Ocean and Your Diving Opportunities
– The Ocean
– Potentially Harmful Marine Life
– Diving Opportunities

6. Your Scuba Diving Experiences and Beyond
– Taking Care of Yourself
– Avoiding Panic
– Proper Response to Difficult Situations
– Decision Matrix

7. Dive Planning With The SSI Dive Tables