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Tec Zone · 40m · SSI XR Programme

SSI XR Extended Range
Nitrox Diving

Your first step into planned decompression diving. Using enriched air nitrox as your bottom gas, you'll learn to manage decompression obligations, execute staged ascents, and handle multi-gas configurations at the entry level of technical diving. Malta's wrecks and walls are waiting at depth.

Apply for This Course Course Requirements
Certified by SSI
Course Price
€750
€580 course fee + €170 SSI eLearning · gases included
✓SSI XR eLearning access
✓4 guided tec dives
✓All gas fills (EAN bottom gas, deco O2 mixes)
✓Equipment hire available
✓SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox certification card
Apply for This Course
Questions? WhatsApp us first
4
Open Water Dives
2-3
Course Days
40m
Cert. Depth
TEC
Zone
Deep + EAN40
Prerequisites
1
Confined Sessions
Course Overview

The step from recreational to decompression diving.

Recreational diving operates within no-decompression limits. The moment you plan a dive that incurs a decompression obligation, you are in technical territory. The SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox Diving course is where that transition happens: the first course in the SSI XR programme to introduce planned decompression using enriched air nitrox.

At 40m in Malta, the decompression context is real. The Um El Faroud wreck sits at 35-40m on its keel, with the hull rising to mid-water and wall descents accessible beyond certification depth. The P29 Minesweeper, MV Karwela, and MV Rozi all reward a diver with more time at depth than no-deco limits allow. Extended Range Nitrox gives you that time, structured and safe, with planned stops on the way back up.

You will learn decompression planning from the ground up: gas selection, CNS oxygen tracking, decompression software, stop management, and the discipline of staged ascents. On completion, the SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox certification opens the pathway to Extended Range Trimix and the full technical programme.

  • Plan multi-gas deco dives to 40m using EAN bottom gas and higher-O2 deco mixes
  • Calculate and manage CNS oxygen exposure across the full dive profile
  • Execute decompression stops precisely: depth, time, gas switch sequence
  • Apply decompression software outputs and validate against dive computers
  • Manage twin back-mount or sidemount configuration with a separate deco cylinder
  • Respond to deco plan deviations including missed stops and gas shortfalls
SSI

SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox Diving

Entry-level decompression certification in the SSI XR programme. Recognised at tec dive operations worldwide.

Depth Limit
40m Tec Zone
Prerequisites
Deep Diver + Enriched Air Nitrox 40 + 24 logged dives + Recreational Sidemount Diving
Min. Age
18 years
Card issued
SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox Diving card issued on successful completion
Next Step
SSI XR Extended Range Trimix or SSI XR Technical Extended Range

Your certification range after this course

Open Water Diver 18m
Advanced Open Water 30m
Deep Diver 40m
XR Extended Range Nitrox 40m deco

Same depth ceiling, different rules: decompression-planned dives, more bottom time, and the foundation for trimix and deeper XR courses.

Course Content

Four dives. Building to a full decompression profile at 40m.

Each dive in the programme adds complexity. By the final dive you will be planning and executing a complete decompression profile independently, with your instructor present but oversight minimal.

DIVE
01

Equipment and Gas Familiarisation

25m

Configuration check and first use of EAN bottom gas in a structured tec context. Shallower depth allows focus on gas management drills, regulator switching, and decompression stop procedures before the profile deepens.

  • Twin back-mount or sidemount valve drill and equipment configuration check
  • First EAN bottom gas use: verify mix, dive to MOD, log gas consumption
  • Controlled ascent to first stop: depth awareness and rate discipline
  • Switch to higher-O2 deco gas at planned switch depth, deploy SMB
DIVE
02

Decompression Planning in Practice

30m

Student-planned deco profile executed in open water. Emphasis on matching the in-water reality to the pre-dive plan: stop depths, stop times, gas switch timing, and CNS oxygen tracking across both phases of the dive.

  • Pre-dive decompression plan prepared using software, reviewed with instructor
  • Turn pressure discipline applied: planned bottom time managed to turn point
  • Gas switch sequence executed: EAN bottom gas to deco mix at switch depth
  • Post-dive debrief: actual vs planned CNS oxygen exposure comparison
DIVE
03

Extended Deco Profile

36m

Deeper profile with longer bottom time and an increased decompression obligation. Multi-stop ascent managed from dive computer alongside the pre-dive plan. Introduction to contingency planning: what happens if you miss a stop or exceed bottom time.

  • Dive computer cross-checked against wrist slate pre-dive plan throughout
  • Multi-stop decompression: 9m, 6m, and 3m stop management
  • Missed-stop contingency procedure: adding time to adjacent stops
  • Ascent rate discipline above 21m: maximum 9m per minute
DIVE
04

Full Certification Dive

40m

The qualifying dive. Full decompression profile to 40m, planned and signed off the evening before. Gas plan prepared independently by the student. Deco schedule executed with instructor oversight only: decisions are yours. SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox certification issued on successful completion.

  • Independent gas plan prepared, reviewed, and signed off pre-dive
  • Full EAN bottom gas profile to 40m: gas consumption matches plan
  • Complete decompression schedule executed precisely: stops, switches, timing
  • Certification sign-off at the surface on successful completion
Gases Used

Two-gas configuration: EAN bottom gas and deco mix.

Extended Range Nitrox uses two gases. Bottom gas is enriched air nitrox kept within its maximum operating depth. The deco gas is a higher-O2 mix used during decompression stops to accelerate off-gassing. All mixes are confirmed and analysed before each dive at diveshack.

EAN32 / EAN36
32-36% O2 / balance N2
MOD 33-30m depending on blend

Bottom gas. Enriched air nitrox selected to match the planned dive depth. Reduces nitrogen loading compared to air at the same depth. Actual blend confirmed per diver based on target depth and profile.

EAN50 / EAN80
50-80% O2 / balance N2
MOD 21m (EAN50) or 9m (EAN80)

Decompression gas. Higher oxygen fraction accelerates nitrogen elimination during staged stops. Gas switch performed at the planned switch depth on the ascent. CNS oxygen tracking is mandatory throughout all stop phases.

CNS Tracking
Oxygen Toxicity Management
Logged per dive

At elevated partial pressures of oxygen, CNS toxicity risk increases. You will track cumulative CNS exposure across both gas phases of every dive and carry the running total forward across multiple dive days.

Gas costs are additional to the course fee and itemised at booking. Actual blends are confirmed per diver based on planned depth and profile. Contact us for current gas pricing.

Equipment Required

Technical configuration: twin back-mount or sidemount.

You enter this course already certified in Recreational Sidemount Diving, so your configuration preference is established. Twin back-mount or sidemount are both accepted. A separate deco cylinder is strongly recommended and required for dives with significant deco obligations.

Twin back-mount cylinders or sidemount rig (already certified)
Primary torch and backup torch
Technical BCD: wing and harness or sidemount harness
Primary reel and spool
Two primary DIN regulators, long-hose on primary (150cm minimum)
Two SMBs (one delayed deployment)
Separate deco cylinder with clearly labelled regulator
Wetsuit 7mm minimum
Dive computer: multi-gas capable, supports EAN mixes to 40m
Wet notes or dive slate for decompression plan
Gas analyser access (available at diveshack for pre-dive mix verification)
Backup cutting device

Technical equipment hire is available from diveshack. Contact us early to confirm availability and sizing before your course dates are confirmed.

What's Included

Everything you need

SSI XR eLearning

Lifetime access to SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox digital study materials. Complete theory before the water sessions begin.

Cylinder Fills

All EAN bottom gas and deco gas cylinder fills for all 4 dives. Blends confirmed and analysed before each dive.

Tec Boat Dives

All 4 dives from diveshack's dedicated tec dive vessel, operating at Malta's best wreck and wall sites.

XR Certification

SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox Diving certification card issued on successful completion of the 40m certification dive.

Not included: Dive computer hire if you do not own a multi-gas computer (available from diveshack). DAN dive accident insurance: strongly recommended for decompression diving. Drysuit hire if required.

Requirements

What you need before enrolling

This course sits at the entry point of the SSI XR technical programme. You must hold all four prerequisites before the first dive. There are no exceptions and no waivers.

  • Required SSI Deep Diver certification (or equivalent 40m recreational certification)
  • Required SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 40 certification (or equivalent EAN certification)
  • Required Minimum 24 logged dives
  • Required SSI Recreational Sidemount Diving certification (or equivalent)
  • Required Minimum age: 18 years
  • Recommended Multi-gas dive computer: hire available from diveshack if needed
  • Recommended Experience with back-mount doubles preferred, though sidemount is accepted
Training Pathway

Building toward XR Extended Range Nitrox?

The recommended pathway from beginner is: Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver Specialty, Enriched Air Nitrox, Recreational Sidemount Diving, then SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox. Contact us: we plan complete training programmes and offer combined course options.

Enquire about training pathway →
What this course unlocks
  • ✓ SSI XR Extended Range Trimix
  • ✓ SSI XR Technical Extended Range
  • ✓ SSI XR Extended Range Sidemount Diving
  • ✓ Full XR programme progression toward hypoxic trimix
Pricing

Course options

Tec Specialty
XR Extended Range Nitrox
€750

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

  • ✓ SSI XR eLearning for Extended Range Nitrox
  • ✓ 4 guided tec dives with tec instructor
  • ✓ All cylinder fills: EAN bottom gas and deco mixes
  • ✓ SSI XR Extended Range Nitrox certification
  • ✓ Equipment hire available on request
  • ✓ Max 4 students per instructor
Apply Now
XR Nitrox + Extended Range Trimix
Enquire

Complete Extended Range Nitrox and Extended Range Trimix in a structured combined programme. Enquire for combo pricing.

  • ✓ Everything in Extended Range Nitrox
  • ✓ Plus SSI XR Extended Range Trimix
  • ✓ Both SSI XR certification cards
  • ✓ Continuous programme, reduced downtime
  • ✓ Savings vs booking separately
Enquire

Gas costs additional and itemised at booking  ·  Deposit required  ·  See cancellation policy

FAQ

Common questions

What makes this different from a recreational dive to 40m? ▼
A recreational dive to 40m stays within no-decompression limits: you manage your dive to avoid incurring any decompression obligation and ascend directly when your NDL runs out. Extended Range Nitrox is planned from the outset to incur a deco obligation. You go deeper or stay longer than the NDL allows, and you have a structured stop schedule to complete before surfacing. The gas, equipment, planning, and mindset are all different.
Do I need sidemount or can I use back-mount twin cylinders? ▼
Both configurations are accepted. You already hold Recreational Sidemount Diving as a prerequisite, so sidemount is a natural choice. Many students choose to begin with twin back-mount for Extended Range Nitrox as it is the more widely used tec configuration for the XR programme. We can advise on which setup suits your aims best at the initial consultation.
How long are the decompression stops at 40m? ▼
A 20-minute bottom time at 40m on EAN32, ascending on EAN50, typically generates 10-20 minutes of decompression stops. Total in-water time per dive is approximately 45-60 minutes. Stop durations depend on your exact profile and the deco algorithm used. We plan conservatively.
Which dive sites do you use for this course? ▼
Course dives are run at Malta's most suitable wreck and wall sites for technical diving. The Um El Faroud, P29 Minesweeper, MV Karwela, and MV Rozi are all used depending on conditions and planned depth for each dive. Exact sites are confirmed at the pre-course briefing.
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 reasons, you receive a full refund or a rebooking at no charge.
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Prefer sidemount for your tec progression? The XR Extended Range Sidemount course covers the same decompression diving skills in your preferred configuration.

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