SSI Extended Range (45 m) — Full Course and XR Nitrox Upgrade
Build on your technical diving skills and learn to plan and conduct staged-decompression dives in a twinset. On successful completion, the SSI Extended Range certification permits dives to a maximum of 45 metres, using decompression gas mixtures up to 100% oxygen and no more than 25 minutes of accumulated required decompression, with an equally or more qualified buddy.
Already certified in SSI XR Nitrox? Your four training dives may count towards Extended Range dives 1–4 when they meet SSI’s credit requirements. That gives you a shorter upgrade route focused on the remaining skills, assessments and two qualifying dives.
Prerequisites
You must be 18 or older, have at least 50 logged dives, and hold Deep Diving and Enriched Air Nitrox 40 certifications, or recognised equivalents. You should be proficient in the twinset configuration you’ll use for training. XR Nitrox certification provides possible dive credit; it does not replace the 50-dive requirement.
We’ll complete the required medical screening before training and advise you if physician clearance is needed.
Choose your route
Full Extended Range course — four teaching days
Training begins with equipment configuration, academics, the XR Water Fitness Evaluation and at least two hours of confined-water skills. You’ll complete six open-water training dives: the first two at Markethill Scuba, followed by four dives over two consecutive days at Portroe Dive Centre. The final two dives include staged-decompression training, must total at least 90 minutes, and include at least one dive to 40 metres.
Upgrade from XR Nitrox — two teaching days
We’ll review your XR Nitrox training record and equipment configuration to confirm which dives can be credited. You’ll complete any outstanding Extended Range academic, fitness and confined-water requirements at Markethill, then complete dives 5–6 at Portroe. The upgrade route depends on your previous dives meeting SSI’s credit conditions and your readiness for the final dives.
Certification is awarded only after all academic and in-water requirements are met. Additional training may be needed if skills, dive times or conditions do not meet the required standard.
Prices and inclusions
| Route | Group course | Private 1:1 |
|---|---|---|
| Full Extended Range | £1,295 per diver | £2,195 |
| Upgrade from XR Nitrox | £695 per diver | £1,195 |
Prices are VAT-inclusive. Group courses run with two to four divers.
Your course fee includes instruction, the applicable SSI fee and digital certification on successful completion, Markethill entry, use of an Oceanauts stage cylinder, and the planned 50% stage and twinset back-gas fills. Portroe entry is paid directly by each diver and is currently €30 per day.
Bring your own twinset, drysuit and thermal protection, other personal diving equipment, logbook and suitable multi-gas dive computer. Additional equipment rental can be quoted separately. Your travel, food and accommodation are your own costs. Any accommodation needed for the course delivery is arranged and quoted case by case.
Portroe provides the 40 m training depth required by SSI; the Extended Range certification limit on successful completion is 45 m. Trimix training is a separate option and can be discussed and priced individually.
Contact Oceanauts to review your experience, discuss the right route and arrange training.