Helen Sykes awarded Platinum Pro 5000 Diver Award

Helen Sykes has been awarded the Platinum Pro 5000 Diver Award by Scuba School International.

The SSI Platinum Pro5000 Diver card is the calling card of the world’s most elite water explorers. The list of cardholders is a “who’s who” of diving, containing the world’s most prominent dive leaders, scientists, photographers, manufacturers, retailers, and resort operators.

What makes the SSI Platinum Pro5000 Diver award so special is that it’s all about diving. The unsung dive master on any island and Jacques Cousteau earned their cards the same way—by diving 5,000 times.

Let’s put 5,000 dives into perspective. It takes 500 dives a year for 10 years, or 100 dives a year for 50 years! That’s a lifetime of dedication and commitment to the sport.

This award documents the dedication and commitment of diving’s pioneers and industry-makers. Scuba Schools International is proud that the sport’s most elite people carry the SSI Platinum Pro5000 Diver card.

Many Pros have confided that it’s the first diving credential they ever received…and their favorite!

About the Platinum Pro 5000 Diver Level

The Platinum Pro5000 Diver card cannot be purchased. Individuals must be awarded the award by being recommended in writing by two Platinum Pros.The History of the Platinum Pro 5000 Diver Level

The roots of the Platinum Pro 5000 Diver level go back to 1992, with the introduction of the SSI Century Diver card, the first card in the industry earned for making 100 dives.

It was such a hit that SSI announced it would create additional cards for 500 and 1000 dives.

Bill Gleason from Skin Diver Magazineproposed that there should be a card recognizing the most experienced divers, those with 5000 dives. Bob Clark, founder of SSI, thought this was an outstanding idea.

SSI and Skin Diver Magazine decided to recognize these people at a grand and formal cocktail party at DEMA, the world’s largest diving show.

Nikon cameras offered their award-winning team to put together a professional presentation of underwater images, and the first Platinum Pro5000 Diver party was held in 1993.