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diveshack / Courses / Deep Diver
Deep Zone · 30-40m · SSI Specialty

SSI Deep
Diver Specialty

Push your recreational limit to 40m. Four structured dives covering deep diving technique, gas management, and the physiological effects of depth. Unlocks full access to Malta's major wrecks.

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Certified by SSI
Course Price
€285
€183 course fee + €102 SSI eLearning
✓SSI eLearning licence: €102
✓Course fee inc. full equipment: €183
✓4 progressive open water dives
✓Final dive to 40m
✓SSI Deep Diver certification card
✓Max 5 students per instructor
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2
Course Days
40m
Cert. Depth Limit
4
Open Water Dives
5
Max Students
OWD
Prerequisite
0
Pool Sessions
Course Overview

From 30m to 40m. The full recreational depth range.

The SSI Deep Diver Specialty is a two-day course covering four structured dives from 20m down to 40m. It is the final step in recreational dive training before technical diving and unlocks the deepest sections of Malta's most visited wreck sites.

With a Deep Diver card you can reach the keel of the Um El Faroud at 36m, the propeller deck of MV Karwela at 40m, and the full extent of Malta's offshore walls. Gas management and narcosis awareness: the two critical skills at this depth: are the focus of every dive in the course.

  • Dive to 40m anywhere in the world: the recreational limit
  • Plan and execute multi-level dives within no-decompression limits
  • Recognise and manage nitrogen narcosis effectively
  • Calculate turn pressure and minimum gas requirements at depth
  • Understand the physiology of pressure at depth
  • Gain full access to Um El Faroud, MV Karwela and Gozo walls
SSI

SSI Deep Diver Specialty

The maximum recreational depth certification. Recognised at dive centres worldwide alongside your AOWD card.

Depth Limit 40m Deep Zone
Prerequisite SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent
Min. Age 15 years for 40m certification
Card issued SSI Deep Diver Specialty card issued same day. Presented alongside your AOWD card to dive operators.
Next Step SSI Rescue Diver, Divemaster, or SSI Technical Extended Range (TEC XR) for beyond 40m.

Your depth range after this course

Open Water Diver18m
Advanced Open Water30m
Deep Diver Specialty40m
40m is the maximum recreational no-decompression depth. Beyond this requires technical dive training.
Marine Life

What You Might See

A sample of the species you might actually see at this course's depth. Click any card to read the full species guide.

Course Content

Four dives. Progressive depth to 40m.

Each dive adds depth and complexity. By the final dive you will be executing a fully planned deep dive to 40m with correct gas management, narcosis awareness, and a controlled ascent with safety stop.

Dive 01

Deep Orientation

20-24m

Introduction to deep diving protocols. Gas planning fundamentals, review of no-decompression limits, and a controlled descent to 20-24m at a familiar Malta site with good visibility.

  • Descent line technique and depth orientation
  • Surface Air Consumption rate calculation
  • Turn pressure and minimum gas introduction
  • Buddy checks and pre-dive deep dive protocol
Dive 02

Narcosis Awareness

28-30m

Descend to 28-30m to experience and manage nitrogen narcosis in a controlled setting. Complete a pre-agreed task at depth to assess personal narcosis response. Debrief covers how narcosis affects each diver differently.

  • Recognising personal narcosis symptoms
  • Task completion under narcosis conditions
  • Ascent to shallower depth as narcosis management
  • Dive computer monitoring at depth
Dive 03

Gas Management at Depth

34-36m

Full gas management dive to 34-36m. Calculate turn pressure before descent, monitor consumption against plan during the dive, and ascend with correct gas reserve. Typically conducted at the Um El Faroud wreck or Cirkewwa wall.

  • Pre-dive gas planning with instructor sign-off
  • Turn pressure discipline underwater
  • Multi-level ascent to maximise NDL
  • 3-minute safety stop at 5m, SMB deployment
Dive 04

Certification Dive: 40m

40m

Your deepest recreational dive. A fully planned and independently executed dive (with instructor oversight) to 40m. Gas plan prepared the evening before, dive briefed in detail, and conducted at the most suitable deep Malta site in current conditions.

  • Full independent gas plan prepared by student
  • Controlled descent to 40m with buoyancy check
  • Structured exploration within NDL at the deepest point
  • Ascent, safety stop, and surface SMB deployment
  • Post-dive logbook entry and certification sign-off
Why It Matters in Malta

The wrecks this unlocks

Malta has some of the best wreck diving in the Mediterranean. Without a Deep Diver card, large sections of the island's most famous sites are out of reach. Here is what changes when you hold the 40m certification.

Um El Faroud Max 36m

Zurrieq, Malta: 109m tanker wreck

The keel of the Um El Faroud sits at 36m. The engine room is at 28-30m and the full length of the wreck requires a 36m certification to explore end-to-end. AOWD gets you onto the wreck; Deep Diver gets you all of it.

Full access with Deep Diver
MV Karwela Max 42m

Xatt l-Ahmar, Gozo: 50m ferry wreck

Karwela's twin propellers are at 40m: reachable only with a Deep Diver cert. The keel at 42m requires a brief technical approach. Deep Diver takes you to the props; the rest of the wreck from 19-36m is fully accessible.

Props at 40m unlocked
Blue Hole Wall Wall to 60m+

Dwejra, Gozo: open ocean wall

The Blue Hole chimney exit is at around 28m, but the outer wall drops well below 40m. Deep Diver certification lets you follow the wall to its recreational limit of 40m and explore the full arch and tunnel system.

Full recreational depth
What's Included

Everything you need

SSI eLearning

Lifetime access to SSI Deep Diver digital study materials. Study theory before the water sessions begin, at your own pace.

Full Equipment

BCD, regulator, wetsuit, tank, weights and SMB for all four dives. Dive computer required: bring your own or hire one.

Boat Dives

All four dives conducted from our dive boat to the most appropriate Malta deep sites for each stage of the course.

SSI Certification

SSI Deep Diver Specialty card issued on the day of completion. Presented with your AOWD card to access 40m worldwide.

Not included: Nitrox fills (available +€5 per dive: strongly recommended at 30-40m to extend NDL), dive computer hire if you do not own one, DAN dive insurance (essential at these depths).
Requirements

What you need before enrolling

You must hold an Open Water Diver certification or equivalent before starting the Deep Diver specialty.

  • RequiredSSI Open Water Diver or equivalent (PADI OWD, CMAS *, BSAC Ocean Diver)
  • RequiredMinimum age 15 for 40m certification
  • RequiredCurrent certification card and logbook
  • RecommendedNitrox certification before the course: diving Nx32 significantly extends NDL at 30-40m
  • Required10+ logged dives recommended (SSI sets no minimum)
  • NoteDive computer required for all four dives. Hire available from diveshack.
Pair with Nitrox

Get more bottom time at depth.

At 40m on air your no-decompression limit is approximately 8-10 minutes. On Nitrox 32% at 30m your NDL extends from around 20 minutes to approximately 35 minutes: a significant difference when exploring a wreck.

We recommend completing the SSI Nitrox course before or alongside Deep Diver. Ask us about booking both together.

Enquire about Nitrox combo →
Accepted Equivalent Prerequisites
  • ✓PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
  • ✓CMAS ** (2-star) Diver
  • ✓BSAC Sports Diver
  • ✓NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver
  • ✓Any WRSTC 30m-equivalent certification
Pricing

Course options

Specialty Course
Deep Diver Specialty
€285

€183 course fee + €102 SSI eLearning. All equipment and 4 dives included.

  • ✓SSI eLearning licence (€102)
  • ✓Course fee inc. full equipment (€183)
  • ✓4 progressive open water dives
  • ✓Final certification dive to 40m
  • ✓SSI Deep Diver Specialty card
  • ✓Max 5 students per instructor
Enquire Now
Group Pricing
Enquire

Dedicated instruction for groups of 3 or more. Contact us for group rates.

  • ✓Everything in Specialty Course
  • ✓Priority scheduling
  • ✓Dedicated instructor for group
  • ✓Flexible start dates
  • ×Min. 3 participants
  • ×Max 5 per group
Enquire

All prices include VAT · Deposit required to secure your place · See cancellation policy

FAQ

Common questions

Do I really need this if I already have AOWD?▾
It depends on where you want to dive. In Malta specifically, the Um El Faroud keel is at 36m and MV Karwela's propellers are at 40m: both beyond the 30m AOWD limit. If you want full access to Malta's major wrecks rather than just their upper sections, the Deep Diver specialty is the direct path. It also makes you a more confident diver at any depth below 20m by formally addressing gas management and narcosis.
Is 40m dangerous?▾
Diving at 40m carries more risk than diving at 18m, which is why it requires specific training. The risks are manageable with correct preparation: a no-decompression dive computer, proper gas planning, narcosis awareness, and not exceeding your NDL. This course teaches you exactly how to manage those risks. Thousands of recreational divers dive to 40m safely every day.
Should I get Nitrox certification before this course?▾
It is strongly recommended. On air at 40m your no-decompression limit is approximately 8-10 minutes. On Nitrox 32% at 30m you get around 35 minutes. Even if you plan to descend to 40m only briefly, being able to breathe Nitrox on the ascent and during the safety stop gives you significantly more flexibility. We can discuss bundling the Nitrox course with the Deep Diver specialty if you contact us.
Can I do this course on a weekend?▾
Yes. The Deep Diver specialty is typically completed over two days: two dives per day. The eLearning is completed before you arrive. We run weekend courses on request and the schedule can be adjusted if conditions require a day shift.
What is the cancellation policy?▾
Cancellations more than 7 days before the course start receive a full deposit refund. Cancellations within 7 days forfeit the deposit but the balance is not charged. If we cancel due to weather or operational reasons, you receive a full refund or complimentary rebooking.
Continue Your Training

What comes next

30m · Advanced Zone

SSI Advanced Open Water

The prerequisite for this course. If you hold OWD and want to progress to 40m, start here.

View Course →
Specialty

SSI Nitrox Diver

Maximise your bottom time at 30-40m. Highly recommended alongside or before the Deep Diver specialty.

View Course →
Leadership

SSI Rescue Diver

The course that makes you a complete diver. Manage emergencies, assist buddies, and build the skills that underpin Divemaster.

View Course →

Book or enquire

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

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+356 9999 3483  ·  WhatsApp

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