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Tec Zone · Equipment Certification · SSI XR Programme

SSI XR Extended Range
Foundations

The first step into technical diving. Extended Range Foundations is a confined water equipment certification that introduces back-mount twins, technical trim, valve shutdown drills, and decompression theory. All sessions are conducted in the pool or sheltered confined water before you progress to full XR courses.

Apply for This Course Course Requirements
Certified by SSI
Course Price
€550
€400 course fee + €150 SSI eLearning · gases included
✓SSI XR eLearning access
✓Confined water sessions (pool) for equipment and skills
✓Equipment configuration and trim assessment
✓All cylinder fills (air)
✓SSI XR Extended Range Foundations certification card
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Questions? WhatsApp us first
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Open Water Dives
1-2
Course Days
Pool
Environment
TEC
Zone
OWD
Prerequisite
2+
Confined Sessions
Course Overview

Where recreational equipment ends and technical begins.

SSI XR Extended Range Foundations is an equipment certification course for divers ready to enter the SSI XR Extended Range programme. Designed for certified Open Water Divers with at least 24 logged dives, Foundations is conducted entirely in confined water. All sessions take place in the pool or a sheltered, shallow environment.

The course teaches you to configure and operate back-mount twin cylinders, achieve the precision buoyancy and horizontal trim that technical diving demands, and work through the fundamentals of decompression theory. This is not an open water certification to 40m. It is a prerequisite equipment qualification that unlocks entry into full XR courses such as Extended Range Nitrox, Sidemount, and Wreck Diving.

  • Configure and operate back-mount twin cylinders safely in confined water
  • Achieve and maintain technical trim and precision buoyancy
  • Demonstrate valve shutdown and regulator switching drills
  • Understand the principles of decompression theory
  • Qualify for entry into SSI XR Extended Range specialties
  • Progress into Extended Range Nitrox, Sidemount, or Wreck Diving programmes
SSI

SSI XR Extended Range Foundations

Equipment certification: confined water pool course. Prerequisite for entry into all SSI XR Extended Range specialties.

Environment
Confined Water / Pool Only
Prerequisite
Open Water Diver + 24 logged dives
Min. Age
18 years
Gas
Air or nitrox (no trimix required)
Unlocks
Extended Range Nitrox Diving, Extended Range Sidemount Diving, Extended Range Wreck Diving

What Foundations unlocks

Extended Range Nitrox Diving 40m
Extended Range Sidemount Diving 40m
Extended Range Wreck Diving 40m

XR Foundations is an equipment prerequisite. After completing this course you are qualified to enrol in all entry-level SSI XR specialties.

Course Content

Confined water only. Equipment, trim, and theory.

All XR Foundations sessions take place in a pool or sheltered confined water. There are no open water dives on this course. You exit with an equipment certification that qualifies you to enrol in the full SSI XR Extended Range specialties.

SESSION
01

Equipment Setup and eLearning Theory

Academic / Pool

The course opens with SSI XR eLearning modules covering decompression theory, gas management principles, and tec dive planning. In the pool you configure twin cylinders for the first time with instructor guidance, establish harness fit, and practise valve identification.

  • Decompression theory: inert gas loading, tissue compartments, M-values
  • Twin cylinder manifold identification and valve positions
  • Harness and wing BCD setup for technical diving
  • Primary and backup regulator identification and reach drill
SESSION
02

Valve Drills and Regulator Switching

Pool

Underwater drills in the pool. You practise the valve shutdown and isolation sequence required on all XR courses, and switch between primary and secondary regulators while maintaining position and trim.

  • Manifold valve shutdown: left post, right post, isolation valve sequence
  • Primary to backup regulator switch and recovery
  • Buoyancy maintenance during equipment manipulation
  • Controlled breathing rate during drill sequences
SESSION
03

Trim, Buoyancy, and Certification Assessment

Pool

Final confined water session. You demonstrate horizontal trim and precision neutral buoyancy in full tec configuration for the certification sign-off. On successful completion, your SSI XR Extended Range Foundations digital card is issued immediately.

  • Sustained neutral hover in horizontal trim position
  • Forward and backward kick technique in tec configuration
  • Position maintenance during valve drill sequence
  • Instructor certification assessment and sign-off
Equipment Required

Full technical configuration from day one.

Foundations uses back-mount twin cylinders and a tec harness throughout. This is the configuration you will carry into every subsequent XR course, so getting comfortable with it is part of the programme. All equipment is subject to a mandatory check before the first session.

Back-mount twin cylinders (minimum 2x10L)
Primary and backup torch
Technical harness and wing BCD
Cutting tool
Two DIN regulators (primary and backup)
Surface marker buoy (SMB) with spool
Long-hose primary regulator (150cm minimum)
Wetsuit 5-7mm minimum
Dive computer with decompression capability
Wet notes or dive slate for planning

Full technical equipment hire is available from diveshack. Contact us before booking to confirm availability and sizing. Air and nitrox fills are included in the course fee. No trimix is required for this course.

What's Included

Everything you need to cross the line

SSI XR eLearning

Lifetime access to SSI XR Extended Range Foundations digital study materials. Complete theory at your own pace before arriving in Malta.

All Cylinder Fills

Air and nitrox fills for all confined water sessions. Gas is analysed and confirmed before every session.

Boat Diving

All sessions conducted in the pool or sheltered confined water. No open water dives are included in this course.

XR Foundations Cert

SSI XR Extended Range Foundations certification card issued on successful completion of the confined water assessment.

Not included: Equipment hire if you do not own a full tec configuration (available from diveshack). DAN dive accident insurance is strongly recommended. Pool/confined water site fee if applicable.

Requirements

What you need before enrolling

Extended Range Foundations is the most accessible entry point in the SSI XR programme. You do not need any prior technical diving experience, just a current Open Water Diver certification and 24 logged dives.

  • Required SSI Open Water Diver certification (or recognised equivalent)
  • Required Minimum 24 logged dives
  • Required Minimum age: 18 years
  • Required Medical fitness to dive (self-declaration or physician sign-off as applicable)
  • Recommended Prior experience diving to 20-30m: helps you adapt to the new equipment faster
  • Recommended Basic comfort with buoyancy before the course: Perfect Buoyancy specialty is ideal preparation
Where This Course Leads

The gateway to every XR specialty

Completing Foundations unlocks three direct next steps: Extended Range Nitrox Diving (add nitrox gas planning), Extended Range Sidemount Diving (sidemount configuration), and Extended Range Wreck Diving (penetration diving with tec equipment). From there the full SSI XR Extended Range programme is open to you.

Enquire about the full XR pathway →
Accepted Equivalent Prerequisites
  • ✓ SSI Open Water Diver
  • ✓ PADI Open Water Diver
  • ✓ BSAC Ocean Diver (or higher)
  • ✓ CMAS 1-star Diver (or higher)
  • ✓ Any WRSTC-recognised Open Water certification
Pricing

Course options

Gateway XR Course
XR Extended Range Foundations
€550

Price on application. Contact us to confirm dates and equipment requirements.

  • ✓ SSI XR eLearning for Foundations
  • ✓ 1-2 confined water sessions
  • ✓ All confined water / pool sessions with tec instructor
  • ✓ All cylinder fills: air or nitrox
  • ✓ SSI XR Extended Range Foundations certification
  • ✓ Technical equipment hire available on request
Apply Now
Foundations + XR Nitrox Combo
Enquire

Combine Foundations with Extended Range Nitrox Diving in a back-to-back programme. Enquire for combo pricing.

  • ✓ Everything in Foundations
  • ✓ Plus SSI Extended Range Nitrox Diving
  • ✓ Gas planning across multiple nitrox blends
  • ✓ Both SSI XR certification cards
  • ✓ Savings vs booking separately
Enquire

Deposit required on booking  ·  Equipment hire additional if required  ·  See cancellation policy

FAQ

Common questions

Do I need any technical diving experience before this course? ▼
No. Extended Range Foundations is designed as the starting point for divers with no prior technical experience. You need an Open Water Diver certification and 24 logged dives. The confined water sessions at the beginning of the course are specifically structured to build your technical skills from the ground up before moving to open water.
What gas mixes are used on this course? ▼
Foundations uses air or nitrox only. There is no trimix requirement at this level. The course introduces the principles of gas planning and decompression theory, preparing you for nitrox-based XR specialties, but you will not be using exotic gas blends during this course.
Do I need to own twin cylinders and tec equipment? ▼
No. Full technical equipment hire is available from diveshack, including back-mount twin cylinders, tec harness and wing, and multiple regulators. If you plan to continue beyond Foundations into the full XR programme, investing in your own equipment is worth discussing with our instructor team. Contact us before booking to confirm hire availability.
What courses can I do after Foundations? ▼
Completing Extended Range Foundations unlocks three direct SSI XR specialty programmes: Extended Range Nitrox Diving, Extended Range Sidemount Diving, and Extended Range Wreck Diving. Each of these leads further into the SSI XR Extended Range programme and ultimately to the full SSI Extended Range certification. Talk to us about the pathway that fits your goals.
Does this course include any open water dives?
No. XR Extended Range Foundations is conducted entirely in confined water (pool or sheltered shallow environment). There are no open water dives on this course. Open water progression begins with the next XR course in the pathway, such as SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox.
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. If we cancel due to weather or operational issues, you receive a full refund or rebooking at no charge.
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