Scuba Schools of America

I have always loved the water and have somewhat enjoyed snorkeling. I was interested in scuba but about three years ago I injured my back & had to have surgery so I didn’t know if it would be right for me. I kept tossing the idea around in my head and finally decided to give a scuba shop, any scuba shop, a call. Luckily I called SSA!!! Right from the beginning they were nothing but friendly & helpful. They answered all my questions & put my mind at ease. The initial “coaching session” was very informative and I liked the idea that instead of only giving a few classes & sending me off on my own they would take as long with me as I needed and I could repeat the classes if I wanted until I was comfortable getting into the water on my own. As it turned out I got to try on the gear and go on scuba that same day in their pool. It was a great feeling & since then I’ve been hooked. I have had a wonderful time going on various trips with them, I’ve seen things & done things I never imagined possible or even knew existed & have developed some great new friendships. Did I forget to mention they have a pretty awesome dive shop! Way bigger than others I’ve seen with the latest cool gadgets & toys. I don’t think this is how they have managed to stay in business for over 20 years or why they have reached the level of success they have. I believe it is because they treat their customers like friends and have a commitment to excellence unsurpassed by all. more

The initial “coaching session” was very informative and I liked the idea that instead of only giving a few classes & sending me off on my own they would take as long with me as I needed and I could repeat the classes if I wanted until I was comfortable getting into the water on my own. more

Hi, I have always loved the water and have somewhat enjoyed snorkeling. I was interested in scuba but about three years ago I injured my back & had to have surgery so I didn’t know if it would be right for me. I kept tossing the idea around in my head and finally decided to give a scuba shop, any scuba shop, a call. Luckily I called SSA!!! Right from the beginning they were nothing but friendly & helpful. more

I have dives for years pending on there books and will use them someday with them onboard only, and I do not worry to ever of loosing them or be over charged for great gear, you pay for what you get, and I have great gear and never a failure.There sales are just that, great deals but if you want great gear exspect to pay for great gear. They work with the local community during the holidays andmake sure you comfortable in you bunk. My diving deep has always been a pleasure, and shallow dives pleasant and enjoyable. more

The staff seems to listen and write down your needs and requests and you can always call Nikki and leave a voice mail of your concern and they make a call to her voice mail and she returns calls and is pleasant any day of the month, hours or minute being night or day, in a gally or down at the bunks. more

I dive with them any chance I get and work for free striking events as a voluteer. Its a pleasure to work under there command as to learn a side of them I need to know in the water without speach and only eye contact and hand signals. A must for most divers today to learn to respect which is a professional diver in the water and or on land is a vercue. more

There dive club meeting room is pleasant and dive group and meeting are exactly what they quote, nothing more, nothing less in my experiences. more

There dive boats are filled and the staff is on time and there to help and serve your needs. You can board early sometime and meet the team in the late hours prior bunkdown. The shop rates 99.9 %, why as truct it and have all my gear (9 Safe-Air/Ntirox Certified tanks, 4 O2 cleaned rig's serviced and rebuilt being regulators and B.C. through them and have my fills using there clean 02 clean rig. more

In all the years of diving and recertification with SSA, I have yet to have once a issue with Rusty or Nikki. There up front and she listens and the rest of the staff is liked allot by many divers for there help as a diver. The dive shop meeting are just that, fun. more

The manager Nikki seems to be very observant of the everyones status in the shop. I have taken classes and been learning and diving and find them very well managed at all times and those of stressful times. I have had only great results with all the staff and there vendors work. more

Diving is a gear intensive sport and SSA provides support and knowledge for the wide variety of gear that is necessary to safely participate in the sport at all levels. SSA’s prices are comparable to other dive shops and their inventory is superior to most shops. SSA offers an excellent return policy that exceeds the industry standard. On the rare occasion that I have identified a point of miscommunication, Rusty worked quickly to resolve the issue in a way that was extremely fair and has gone to great lengths to make sure my concerns were addressed. Finally, I am very impressed with SSA’s ability to take out a large group with a broad diversity of diving skills and make it a fun and safe trip for all. more

We want to give Rusty and Niki a heart felt thank you for changing our lives for the better. If you're unsure about learning how to dive, yet always wanted to, give Rusty and Niki 20 minutes of your time. In those few minutes, they will show you how easy and beautiful the underwater world truly is. more

Prior to becoming scuba certified, the only thing my wife and I knew about the water, was that it was wet. In 2006 we ventured into the Shop and were met with open arms by Rusty and Niki. That first evening, our lives were changed and enriched for the better. We became certified divers, enjoyed an awesome vacation diving in Cancun and have only Rusty and Niki to thank. When we returned, we were absolutely hooked. Rusty and Niki's professionalism, expert instruction and attention to every detail has blown us away. Niki has especially impressed me as her customer service was and is absolutely phenomenal. Their attitude toward diving is contagious, to the point where I decided to become an SSI Instructor. In 2008, our then 9 year old daughter was even certified as a scuba ranger and now dives with us at limited depth. Join us in the water and become part of an elite group of sport divers and live your life to the fullest. Thank you again Rusty and Niki!! more

I have dealt with Scuba Schools of America for the past two years and have found Rusty and all his staff to be nothing less than professional and very serious about teaching safe diving. They have taught me how to truly DIVE and to be a confident, safe diver - not just breath underwater in a short 3-day training program. Quality training takes time and SSA were meticulous in ensuring I understood all the lessons. more

These guys are serious about diving safely. I would definitely recommend SSA to train and outfit anyone serious about diving properly. more

I signed up at a travel show in LA and Rusty made it very clear what was included in the cost (lessons and training materials) and what was not included (equipment, boat trips, etc) but he did explain what those items would cost. When I purchased my personal equipment (snorkel, fins, mask, etc) I was shown three different options, entry-level, mid-level and top-shelf and made my choices from there, so that I could stick to my budget. When it came to purchasing my major equipment (BCD, drysuit, computer, etc) I had already decided that having my own equipment was the best way to ensure I would be comfortable - and therefore safer - when diving. I had also done some price comparisons at sports stores and other dive shops and checked out equipment reviews in magazines, so I knew what I was looking at when Rusty went through the equipment. I found his prices to be competitive when comparing on a quality level which, when your life is counting on it, is all that matters. I wanted equipment that wasn't going to fail or was tricky to operate more

I wanted to take a few minutes & profess how appreciative I am for all you have taught me in my quest to become certified as a "SSI Open Water Diver" If you recall, I sort of sputtered at the beginning of my training. When I did finally sit down to get started, I was literally shocked at the depth & level of detail you provided in the classroom. In our first pool session, I was very impressed on how focused you became, while teaching us. That will stay with me forever in my diving. As soon as I am ready to dive, I'm "On". The classroom sessions were fun, and the catalina Island Ocean dives were FUN & ENJOYABLE! I never thought that I would meet so many friendly charged people. Again, excellent job of teaching me to become an excellent SCUBA Diver. I also have to say a word about your Instructor-In-Training, Ms.Niki Gilman. Again when SSI Intructors, or in Training Instructors get in the water, or in the classroom, their level of concentration and detail to attention is unsurpassed! Thank you! more

I just wanted to thank Rusty Berry from SSA for the outstanding training that I received this past week. I was very nervous about the unit and the book work but he got me through all of it. There is no doubt that he is an expert with the unit as well as all the crazy calculations that needed to dive them. His back yard is Catatlina Islands so the diving was spectacular and I cannot wait to go back for my tech portion. My father went down with me as an open circuit diver, to dive the island while I was training. He was very skeptical about CCR in general and has been trying to talk me out of it since I bought it. Well the best part is after being around them all week and observing the training I got, he ordered a Kiss Sport and will be going back for his class!!!! This s a true reflection of an OUTSTANDING intructor, and I encourage anyone that is in need of instruction to contact Rusty...Thanks. more

What can I say, or better said, what can't I say about SSA other than the fact that they are the best! From super friendly staff to the latest and greatest equipment, plus an environment that makes you feel like family and you tend to feel right at home... more

Hi Rusty, A short note to say thanx ever so much for the hospitality and time you and your staff spent with us. Your professionalism along with your energy you have in this industry gave a tremendous inspiration to Phillip and Forrest. I have not see Phillip have so much interest in learning as he is with you and your program. Forrest is so excited to have a hobby he has been interested in for years. One can only imagine how exhausted we were on the four hour trip home. Yet, it took no time at all, yes, all about SSA!! Rusty and Staff, and SCUBA as a career and hobby. After getting home last night, even my wife could not believe the enthusiasm she saw in the boys and know we made the right choice in your organization. We all thank you also for taking time out in your personal life in changing your schedule and accommodating us the way you did. It's refreshing to see so much of an interest into taking care of people, their safety & having fun and enjoying this sport....thanks! more