Extended Range

Where technical diving truly begins. Designed for serious divers seeking greater depth and longer bottom time, this program trains you to safely conduct limited decompression dives up to 45 meters.

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Go deeper: SSI Extended Range course

With six open water training dives, extensive in-water practice, and a strong focus on safety and redundancy, you’ll be fully prepared to tackle complex dives with confidence and control.

This course can be completed using different configurations and with either air or trimix, depending on your preference and dive goals.

Twinset

Twinsets are the traditional backbone of technical diving. With two back-mounted cylinders connected by a manifold, they provide a symmetrical, solid setup that that keeps your trim stable, offers unparalled balance and straightforward gas management.
Perfect for divers who prefer a single unit on their back and want seamless access to both tanks through the manifold. Twinsets also offer an easier transition from single-tank recreational diving.
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Sidemount

Sidemount offers a more flexible and modular approach -cylinders are mounted on your sides, reducing strain on your back and providing easier access to valves and hoses. It’s ideal for tight spaces, like caves or confined wrecks, but is becoming more popular in Open water as well. However Sidemount requires prior knowledge and certification for the XR Nitrox course. If you don’t have a Sidemount certification yet, an Extended Range Sidemount course is the perfect starting point!
Deco Sidemount
Limits
  • Max Depth: 45 meters
  • Decompression: Up to 25 minutes of accelerated decompression
  • Deco gases used : Up to 100% O2. However mostly EANx 50
  • Backgas: Air, but for the final two dives, you have the option to use air or trimix
  • Equipment: Twinset or sidemount with extended range configuration
  • Staged Deco Diving: Decompression planning is practiced, and executed during training dives
  • Goal: Skill development, planning and configuration
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Liam Keegan

What You’ll Do in the SSI Extended Range Course

Academic Sessions

  • Decompression planning
  • Gas management using air or trimix
  • Equipment configuration (twinset or sidemount)
  • Risk assessment and dive team protocols

Pool / Confined Water Training

  • Equipment assembly and configuration checks
  • Stage cylinder handling (surface & midwater)
  • Valve Drills, S-Drills, and shutdown procedures
  • Buoyancy & trim refinement using technical propulsion (frog, flutter, backwards kicks)
  • Gas switches and SAC calculations
  • Handling emergencies like out-of-gas and unconscious diver scenarios

Open Water Training Dives (x6)

  • Practice simulated and real decompression stops
  • Run full decompression plans
  • Lay lines and manage entanglement drills
  • Manage deco bottles, backup systems, and problem-solving underwater
  • Deploy DSMBs for ascents
  • Navigate failures: regulator free-flows, primary mask failures, and buoyancy system issues

Final Evaluation

  • Equipment care best practices
  • Logbook & debriefings & video feeback
  • A written final exam to verify knowledge and decision-making skills