Deep Zone · Specialty · 2–3 Days

Decompression Diving.
Go deeper. Stay longer.

Name: SSI Decompression Diver
Price: 485 EUR

The SSI Decompression Diver specialty teaches you to plan and execute dives that include controlled decompression stops. You will step beyond the no-decompression limit with structured ascent protocols, nitrox gas management, and the discipline that deeper Malta diving demands. One confined water session and three open water dives, gases and kit included.

Book Your Course View Syllabus

Certified by SSI

Course Price

^€485

Inc. eLearning, equipment hire & nitrox gas fills

✓SSI eLearning licence

✓Full equipment hire

✓Nitrox gas fills for all dives

✓1 confined water session + 3 open water dives

✓SSI Decompression Diver certification

Reserve Your Place

Questions? WhatsApp us first

Course Overview

The controlled ascent beyond no-decompression limits.

Prerequisites

SSI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent)
SSI Deep Diver certification
SSI Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN40) certification
Minimum 24 logged dives

Every recreational diver learns to stay within the no-decompression limit. The SSI Decompression Diver specialty teaches what comes next: how to plan a dive that intentionally exceeds that limit, execute mandatory decompression stops on the ascent, and manage a nitrox decompression gas safely. It is the first course that requires you to treat your ascent as a structured part of the dive, not just the end of it.

Malta's clear water, calm shore entries, and depth-accessible wrecks like Um El Faroud provide ideal conditions for practising decompression ascents in a controlled, supervised environment before extending this skill to deeper sites in the XR pathway.

Plan dives that include mandatory decompression stops
Calculate and manage nitrox decompression gas mixes
Execute a structured multi-stop ascent safely
Use a DSMB to signal decompression status at the surface
Understand CNS oxygen toxicity limits during deco dives
Respond to decompression emergencies: missed stops, lost buddy, equipment failure

SSI Decompression Diver

diveshack Malta, SSI Diamond ITC

Level Specialty

Certification SSI Decompression Diver

Valid Worldwide, lifetime

Min Age 15

Prerequisites OWD + Deep + EAN40

Logged Dives 24 minimum

Max Depth 40m

Open Water Dives 3

What You Will Cover

Theory, a confined water session, and three decompression dives.

The course builds from decompression physics and gas planning through confined water skill checks, then progresses to three supervised open water dives where decompression stops are performed under real conditions.

Phase 01: Theory

Decompression Physics and Dive Planning

SSI eLearning: decompression theory and physiology
Nitrogen and oxygen tissue loading beyond NDL
Planning tools: RDP, dive computers, and deco tables
Nitrox deco gas selection: EAN50 and pure oxygen use
CNS oxygen toxicity limits and OTU calculation
Emergency procedures: missed stops, free ascent protocols

Phase 02: Gas Planning

Gas Management and Equipment Checks

SAC rate calculation for bottom and deco phases
Gas switching procedures at planned stop depth
DSMB deployment: technique, timing, and buoyancy control
Dive computer deco mode setup and verification
Equipment configuration review with instructor

Phase 03: Confined Water

Confined Water Skill Practice

Buoyancy control at simulated deco stop depth
Gas switch drill in confined water
DSMB deployment from a stationary position
Buddy communication during a multi-stop ascent
Instructor sign-off before open water progression

Phase 04: Open Water Dive 1

First Supervised Decompression Ascent

Pre-dive plan: depth, bottom time, stop schedule
Descent to working depth with buddy
Ascent to first deco stop: 6m for 3 minutes
DSMB deployed at stop depth, monitored ascent
Full debrief: timing, buoyancy, gas switch execution

Phase 05: Open Water Dives 2 & 3

Extended Deco and Final Assessment

Increased bottom time: two-stop decompression schedule
Gas switch at 6m to deco gas on dive 2
Dive 3: independent planning assessed by instructor
Emergency scenario: responding to a missed stop
Final assessment and SSI Decompression Diver certification

Pricing

Course options

All-Inclusive

Standard Course

^€485

SSI eLearning + full equipment hire + nitrox gas fills for all dives. Everything included.

✓SSI eLearning licence
✓Full equipment hire for all sessions
✓Nitrox gas fills for 1 confined water session + 3 open water dives
✓DSMB and reel provided
✓SSI Decompression Diver certification
✓Max 5 students per instructor

Book This

Private Instruction

Enquire

One-on-one instruction. Flexible scheduling, dedicated instructor throughout.

✓Everything in Standard Course
✓Dedicated one-on-one instructor
✓Flexible scheduling, any day
✓Priority site selection

Enquire

All prices include VAT · See cancellation policy in FAQ

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. You must hold an SSI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent from PADI, CMAS, BSAC, or another recognised agency), an SSI Deep Diver certification, and an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox certification that authorises you to dive on mixes to 40% oxygen. You also need a minimum of 24 logged dives. If you are missing any of these, we can discuss a combined pathway to work through the prerequisites first.

Bottom gas will typically be EAN32 or EAN36, and decompression gas is usually EAN50 or pure oxygen depending on stop depth. All gas fills are included in the course price. Your instructor will brief you on the specific mix used on each dive during the pre-dive planning sessions.

The Decompression Diver specialty covers limited decompression to 40m as a standalone certification. XR Extended Range builds on this to 40m with a more structured technical framework, twin set configuration, and mandatory stage bottle use. Decompression Diver is often completed before entering the full XR pathway, as it provides the foundational ascent discipline that XR courses assume you already have.

Decompression dives require access to 30m to 40m depth and calm conditions. Dive sites are selected based on sea state on the day. Malta's east and south coasts, including sites in the Valletta area and south Malta, offer suitable depth profiles for structured deco training. Your instructor will confirm the site at the pre-dive briefing.

Yes, provided your computer has a decompression mode and is capable of tracking gas switches. We recommend enabling deco mode and disabling any artificial safety conservatism for the purposes of the training dives so that you experience the real stop schedule rather than a heavily padded one. If you are unsure whether your computer is suitable, contact us before booking and we can advise.

Cancellations made more than 7 days before the course start date receive a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable, but you can reschedule once at no charge. Cancellations due to weather or sea conditions on the day are always rescheduled at no cost to you.

Book or enquire

Ready to dive?

Fill in the form and we will get back to you with availability, pricing confirmation, and everything you need to know before arrival.

Usually within a few hours. We confirm your dates, answer questions, and send full joining instructions.

Prefer to talk first?
+356 9999 3483 · WhatsApp

Enquiring about

SSI Decompression Diver Malta

First name * Please enter your first name.

Last name * Please enter your last name.

Email * Please enter a valid email address.

Phone / WhatsApp

Preferred start date * Please select a start date.

Preferred end date End date must be after start date.

Number of people * Please select number of people.

Dive experience

Message or questions

Enquiry sent

Thank you, . We will get back to you at within a few hours.

A copy has been sent to your inbox

Decompression Diving.
Go deeper. Stay longer.