Tec Zone · 40m · SSI XR Programme

SSI XR Extended Range
Wreck Diving

Go deeper inside. Recreational wreck diving takes you to the entrance. XR Extended Range Wreck takes you in. Train for light zone penetration to 40m using tec configuration, guideline deployment, and decompression planning inside overhead environments. Malta's wrecks are the classroom.

Apply for This Course Course Requirements

Certified by SSI

Course Price

^€750

€580 course fee + €170 SSI eLearning · gases included

✓SSI XR eLearning access

✓4-5 guided wreck dives

✓Air or Nitrox fills

✓Guideline reel and lighting kit

✓SSI XR Extended Range Wreck certification card

Apply for This Course

Questions? WhatsApp us first

Course Overview

From the entrance to inside. XR wreck certification for Malta's deepest wrecks.

Recreational wreck diving stops at the light zone boundary. The SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving course begins where recreational training ends. You learn to enter, navigate, and exit the light zone of a wreck to 40m using proper tec configuration: primary and backup lights, a continuous guideline, twin cylinders or a stage cylinder, and decompression planning for overhead environments.

Malta is an ideal environment for this course. The island holds some of the Mediterranean's most accessible and well-documented wrecks across a wide range of depths. The MV Rozi at 34m, the P29 Minesweeper at 35m, the MV Karwela at 40m, and the MV Xlendi at 42-45m all offer realistic training and certification dives within the course depth range. The X127 Lighter Wreck and HMS Maori add further variety for penetration skills work. Every Malta wreck in this course has known structure, stable visibility, and consistent conditions for overhead training.

On completion you hold SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving certification: recognised for wreck penetration access worldwide, and the stepping stone to Technical Wreck Diving, which covers complex multi-zone penetration to 100m.

Plan and execute light zone wreck penetration dives to 40m with decompression
Deploy and follow a continuous guideline from the wreck entrance
Manage primary and backup lighting inside an overhead environment
Configure twin cylinders or a stage cylinder for wreck penetration
Apply emergency procedures specific to wreck overhead environments
Read wreck structure and plan entry, bottom time, and exit to gas thirds

SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving

XR-level wreck penetration certification. Light zone access to 40m with decompression capability and overhead environment training.

Depth Limit

40m Tec / Wreck Zone

Prerequisite

Open Water Diver + 24 logged dives

Min. Age

18 years

Gas

Air or Nitrox

Card Issued

SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving card on successful completion of certification dive

Next Step

SSI Technical Wreck Diving: complex penetration, multi-zone, to 100m

Where this course fits in the wreck diving pathway

SSI Wreck Diver (Recreational) 30m

XR Extended Range Wreck (this course) 40m

Technical Wreck Diving 100m

XR Extended Range Wreck is the gateway from recreational to technical wreck diving. It unlocks the full penetration programme.

Course Content

Four to five dives. Shallow approach to full light zone penetration.

The course builds progressively from equipment configuration and exterior wreck orientation to a full light zone penetration certification dive. Each dive introduces a new skill layer: guideline deployment, lost-line procedures, light failure drills, and gas management inside overhead structure.

DIVE

Wreck Exterior: Equipment and Orientation

Up to 30m

First dive focuses on equipment configuration verification and wreck approach. Students survey the exterior of a Malta wreck, practice buoyancy control close to structure, and conduct a guided orientation of entry points and exit routes.

Tec configuration check: primary light, backup light, reel, cutting tool
Approach and positioning at wreck entrance without touching structure
Buoyancy trim assessment: horizontal position in confined space simulation
Turn pressure briefing and thirds calculation for planned penetration

DIVE

Emergency Skills: Light Failure and Lost Line

Up to 35m

Overhead environment emergency procedures. Primary light failure drill with backup light activation inside the wreck. Lost-line scenario: using touch contact and memorised wreck layout to navigate back to the guideline. Simulation of controlled exit under stress.

Primary light shutdown and immediate backup activation sequence
Touch-contact team navigation with zero visibility simulation
Lost-line recovery: search pattern and tactile guideline location
Team communication signals inside an overhead environment

DIVE

Deep Penetration: Decompression Planning in Overhead

Up to 40m

Deeper wreck penetration incorporating decompression obligation. Students plan the dive to include a decompression stop obligation and execute the exit, ascent, and stop sequence independently. Wreck options: MV Karwela (40m) or MV Xlendi (42-45m).

Pre-dive decompression plan: estimated bottom time and stop schedule
Penetration to 40m with full reel deployment and multiple anchor points
Controlled exit from wreck interior followed by planned ascent
SMB deployment at decompression stop depth

DIVE

Certification Dive: Full Light Zone Penetration

40m

The qualifying dive. Student-led penetration dive to 40m with instructor oversight. Gas plan prepared the evening before. Full guideline deployment, planned decompression stop executed on exit, and independent SMB deployment at depth. SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving certification issued on successful completion.

Independent dive plan prepared and reviewed by student
Full light zone penetration with reel and anchor management
Clean exit, ascent, and decompression stop sequence
Certification sign-off at the surface

Equipment Required

Tec wreck configuration: lights, guideline, and overhead-ready setup.

Wreck penetration at XR level requires specific equipment not used in recreational wreck diving. Primary and backup lights are mandatory, not optional. A guideline reel is essential from the first penetration dive. All equipment is inspected before the first dive of the course.

Primary torch (canister or high-power handheld)

Backup torch (minimum one, two recommended)

Guideline reel (primary, 50-100m)

Jump or safety spool

Twin cylinders or stage cylinder

Tec BCD: wing and harness system

Two regulators (primary long-hose + backup)

Cutting tool (knife or shears)

SMB (surface marker buoy, delayed)

Wetsuit 7mm or drysuit (40m temps: 16-19 degrees)

Dive computer: nitrox capable

Wet notes or dive slate

Full wreck penetration equipment hire is available from diveshack. Contact us early to confirm light kit and reel availability before your course start date.

What's Included

Everything you need for the course

SSI XR eLearning

Lifetime access to SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving digital study materials. Theory completed before water sessions begin.

Cylinder Fills

All air or Nitrox fills for the 4-5 course dives. Gas is confirmed and analysed before each dive.

Wreck Boat Dives

All dives operate from diveshack's dedicated dive vessel to Malta's best wreck training sites.

XR Certification

SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving certification card on successful completion of the certification dive.

Not included: Light kit or reel hire if you do not own wreck penetration equipment (available from diveshack). DAN dive accident insurance: strongly recommended for overhead environment diving.

Requirements

What you need before enrolling

The SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving course is accessible from Open Water Diver level with logged dive experience. You do not need a technical certification before starting, but you must be comfortable with buoyancy and equipment management at depth.

Required SSI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent recognised agency)
Required Minimum 24 logged dives
Required Minimum age 18 years
Required Medical fitness for diving: no contraindications to overhead environment diving
Recommended Experience with recreational wreck diving (SSI Wreck Diver or equivalent)
Recommended Nitrox certification: Nitrox extends bottom time at 30-40m wreck depths
Recommended Some experience with buoyancy at depth before entering overhead environments

Training Pathway

Building from recreational wreck diving?

The recommended path is SSI Open Water Diver, then SSI Wreck Diver specialty for recreational wreck orientation, then SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving for light zone penetration. From there, SSI Technical Wreck Diving opens the full penetration programme. Contact us: we can map out the complete pathway and combine courses to reduce travel time.

Enquire about training pathway →

Accepted Equivalent Prerequisites

✓ SSI Open Water Diver
✓ PADI Open Water Diver
✓ BSAC Ocean Diver
✓ CMAS 1-star Diver
✓ Any WRSTC-recognised Open Water certification + 24 dives

Pricing

Course options

XR Wreck Specialty

XR Extended Range Wreck Diving

^€750

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

✓ SSI XR eLearning for Extended Range Wreck
✓ 4-5 guided wreck dives with tec instructor
✓ All air or Nitrox cylinder fills
✓ SSI XR Extended Range Wreck certification
✓ Equipment hire available on request
✓ Max 4 students per instructor

Apply Now

XR Wreck + Technical Wreck Combo

Enquire

Complete XR Extended Range Wreck and Technical Wreck Diving as a combined programme. Enquire for combo pricing.

✓ Everything in XR Extended Range Wreck
✓ Plus SSI Technical Wreck Diving
✓ Full wreck penetration certification to 100m
✓ Both SSI certification cards
✓ Savings vs booking separately

Enquire

Deposit required on booking · Equipment hire available · See cancellation policy

FAQ

Common questions

Do I need recreational wreck experience before this course? ▼

The formal prerequisite is Open Water Diver and 24 logged dives. We strongly recommend completing the SSI Wreck Diver specialty first if you have no previous wreck experience. It gives you familiarity with wreck navigation, buoyancy near structure, and dive planning around wreck sites before you add guideline skills and overhead environment procedures. Contact us and we can build the right progression for your background.

Which Malta wrecks will we dive on the course? ▼

Site selection depends on conditions and student progress. Primary training wrecks are the MV Rozi at 30m, the P29 Minesweeper at 35m, and the MV Karwela (40m) or MV Xlendi (42-45m) for the deeper dives and certification. The X127 Lighter Wreck and HMS Maori may be used for specific skills dives. All sites are well-documented and regularly dived by diveshack instructors.

What is the difference between the light zone and full penetration? ▼

The light zone is the area inside a wreck that receives ambient light from the entrance. You can always see daylight ahead or behind you. Full penetration goes beyond the light zone into areas with no natural light: this requires more complex navigation skills, additional gas reserves, and typically a jump or gap reel. This course certifies you for light zone penetration. The SSI Technical Wreck Diving course covers full penetration.

Do I need my own guideline reel and lights? ▼

You need a primary light, at least one backup light, and a primary guideline reel for this course. If you do not own this equipment, diveshack can provide a wreck penetration kit on hire. Contact us early to confirm availability before your course date.

What does this certification allow me to do next? ▼

SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving certifies you for light zone wreck penetration to 40m with decompression at dive operations worldwide. It is the direct prerequisite for SSI Technical Wreck Diving, which covers complex multi-zone penetration to 100m. It also complements other XR courses: combined with Extended Range, for example, you can access the full depth and penetration range of Malta's major wrecks.

Keep Exploring

Related courses

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

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

SSI XR Extended RangeWreck Diving

From the entrance to inside. XR wreck certification for Malta's deepest wrecks.

SSI XR Extended Range Wreck Diving

Where this course fits in the wreck diving pathway

Four to five dives. Shallow approach to full light zone penetration.

Wreck Exterior: Equipment and Orientation

Emergency Skills: Light Failure and Lost Line

Deep Penetration: Decompression Planning in Overhead

Certification Dive: Full Light Zone Penetration

Tec wreck configuration: lights, guideline, and overhead-ready setup.

Everything you need for the course

SSI XR eLearning

Cylinder Fills

Wreck Boat Dives

XR Certification

What you need before enrolling

Building from recreational wreck diving?

Course options

Common questions

Related courses

SSI Wreck Diver

SSI Technical Wreck Diving

SSI Extended Range

Ready to dive?

Enquiry sent

SSI XR Extended Range
Wreck Diving