Dedicated Equipment Specialties

Decompression Diving

Intent

The SSI Decompression Diving program provides divers with the training necessary to:

Independently plan and conduct decompression dives in a recreational or sidemount Total Diving System,

To a maximum depth of 40 meters,

Using a breathing gas with a maximum optimized nitrox blend of 40%,

For a maximum accumulated decompression time of 15 minutes based on a back gas profile,

With an equally- or more-qualified dive buddy.

Minimum Instructor Rating

An active status Decompression Diving Instructor may conduct the Decompression Diving specialty program.

Equipment Configurations

They may use a Sidemount Total Diving System as outlined in the SSI Training Standards if they have the Extended Range Sidemount Instructor certification.

Student Prerequisites

Minimum age: 16 years old.

Have logged at least:

24 total dives

Have the following SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:

Deep Diving

Enriched Air Nitrox 40

For students using a sidemount configuration (in addition to the above):

Have the following SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:

Recreational Sidemount Diving

Note | SSI recommends that students earn the Science of Diving certification prior to beginning this program.

Duration

Recommended hours for completion: 15–20.

Minimum Equipment

Students participating in this program must use at least one of the following equipment configurations:

A complete recreational Total Diving System as outlined in the Recreational Scuba General Training Standards with appropriate D-rings for stage cylinder attachment.

A complete Sidemount Total Diving System.

Including:

A single stage cylinder (minimum volume 5.7 liters) with a delivery system and submersible pressure gauge.

Depth Limitations

Maximum pool/confined water depth limit: 12 meters.

Maximum depth limit for Open Water Training Dives 1 through 3: 40 meters.

At least one (1) dive must be to a depth of at least 30 meters.

Minimum Supervision

An active status SSI Professional certified to conduct the program must directly supervise all academic and in-water activities.

If combining specialty programs:

All training dives are required as outlined in the Decompression Diving instructor manual.

In-Water Ratios

The student-to-instructor ratio is 4:1.

Proximity

During in-water skill evaluations, the students must remain under direct supervision of the SSI Professional so that physical contact can be made at any time.

Requirements For Completion

Complete all academic sessions and assessments outlined in the instructor manual for Decompression Diving.

Complete the program’s final exam.

Independently create a full dive plan using dive planning software.

Complete at least one (1) pool/confined water session as outlined in the instructor manual for Decompression Diving.

Complete at least three (3) open water training dives as outlined in the instructor manual for Decompression Diving.

Notes

Open Water Training Dive 1 must be planned within the no-decompression limits of the student’s dive computer or dive planning software.

Actual staged decompression training must be conducted on Open Water Training Dives 2 and 3.

The total time for all required decompression stops on the back gas profile must not exceed 15 minutes per dive.

Divers may carry a decompression mixture of up to 40% oxygen.

Sequence

Pool/Confined Water Session 1 may only be conducted after the student successfully completes the equipment configuration session.

Open Water Training Dive 1 may only be conducted after the student successfully completes Pool/Confined Water Session 1.

Open Water Training Dives 2 and 3 may only be conducted after the student successfully completes all academic sessions and Open Water Training Dive 1.

Certification

Upon completion of all academic and in-water requirements, the SSI Professional may issue the program’s digital certification card.

Certified SSI divers can dive with an equally- or more-qualified buddy in environments equivalent to their training and within the recommended depth limits of their certifications.