XR Foundations – The Blueprint for Technical Excellence
Master your environment, your equipment, and yourself. The SSI XR Foundations course is the definitive "skills bootcamp" for divers who demand more from their diving. Whether you are preparing for the world of Extended Range (XR) or simply want to achieve total mastery over your current single-cylinder setup, this course provides the blueprint.
Over two intensive days, you will strip away bad habits and replace them with precision. You’ll refine your buoyancy to a hovering stillness, master advanced propulsion techniques (like the back-kick and helicopter turn), and perfect your equipment configuration. This isn't just a course; it’s a total recalibration of your diving ability.
Prerequisites
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Minimum Age: 16 years old.
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Certification: Open Water Diver (SSI or equivalent).
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Experience: Recent diving experience is essential. You should be comfortable in the water before beginning this skill-heavy program.
What You’ll Master
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✅ Equipment Configuration: Optimizing your single twinset or sidemount rig for maximum efficiency.
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✅ Buoyancy & Trim: Achieving the "horizontal glide" and perfect static hovering.
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✅ Precision Propulsion: Advanced kicks for control in any environment.
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✅ Technical Drills: Gas sharing, valve drills, and problem-solving under pressure.
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✅ Teamwork: Diving as a cohesive technical unit.
What’s Included?
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✅ SSI Digital Registration: Your digital kit (primarily for certification processing).
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✅ 2 Days of Intensive In-Water Training: Usually 4 focused, skill-reinforcing dives.
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✅ In-Person Workshops: Hands-on sessions covering kit configuration and dive planning.
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✅ SSI XR Foundations Certification: Proof of your technical proficiency.
What You Need to Bring
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🛡️ Your Equipment: This course is best experienced in your own kit. If you don't have a full setup yet, Rental Gear is available on request.
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🧥 Drysuit & Thermals / Wetsuit: Essential for the duration of the training.
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📓 Logbook & Dive Computer.
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🥪 Provisions: Quarry days are long—bring plenty of food, water, and a hot flask.
When & Where?
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📍 Location: Typically conducted at Markethill Quarry, Carlingford Lough, or Portroe Quarry (on request).
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⏳ Duration: 2 Full Days.
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📅 Scheduling: [Contact us] to join a scheduled class or to book your private 1:1 session.
💡 Pro-Tip: Preparation is Key
This is a 100% practical, in-water course with no separate theory manual. Because we dive straight into high-level skills, we highly recommend revisiting your Perfect Buoyancy materials before Day 1. The better your basic hover, the more you’ll get out of this advanced training.
⚠️ Logistics Note
Not Included: While the instruction and certification are covered, equipment rental, gas fills, and quarry entry fees are paid locally on the day.