XR Training Standards and Procedures

XR Overhead Programs

Mine Diving

Intent

This program provides divers with the training necessary to:
  • Independently plan and conduct mine penetration dives,
  • Using specialized equipment,
  • Using the Rule of Fourths concept of gas management,
  • To a maximum depth of 40 meters,
  • With an equally- or more-qualified dive buddy.

Minimum Instructor Rating

An active status Mine Diving Instructor may conduct the Mine Diving program.
Equipment Configurations
  • They may use a Twinset Total Diving System as outlined in the SSI Training Standards if they have the Extended Range Instructor (Twinset) or Extended Range Foundations Instructor (Twinset) certification.
  • They may use a Sidemount Total Diving System as outlined in the SSI Training Standards if they have the Recreational Sidemount Diving Specialty Instructor certification.
  • They may use a CCR or SCR Total Diving system as outlined in the SSI Training Standards if they have the applicable CCR or SCR Diving Instructor certification and the CCR or SCR Diving certification on the unit used by the student.

Note | The SSI Professional teaching the program must have an instructor certification in the equipment configuration used by the student.

Student Prerequisites

Have logged at least:
  • 50 total dives
Have the following SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • Extended Range Mine Diving
  • Enriched Air Nitrox 40
For students using a twinset configuration (in addition to the above):
Have at least one (1) of the following SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • Extended Range
  • Extended Range Foundations (Twinset)
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
For students using a CCR unit (in addition to the above):
Have the following SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • CCR Diving | Must be on the same unit that is used for this program
Have logged at least:
  • 50 hours on the applicable unit
For students using an SCR unit (in addition to the above):
Have the following SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:
  • SCR Diving | Must be on the same unit that is used for this program
Have logged at least:
  • 50 hours on the applicable unit

Duration

  • Recommended hours for completion: 18.

Minimum Equipment

Students participating in this program must use at least one of the following equipment configurations:
  • A complete Twinset Total Diving System.
  • A complete Sidemount Total Diving System.
  • A complete CCR Total Diving System.
  • A complete SCR Total Diving System.
And
  • A suitable primary light and a minimum of two (2) back-up lights.
  • Two (2) reels or spools per diver (one should be a safety spool with a minimum of 45 meters of line).
  • One (1) primary line reel per dive team.
  • Three (3) line arrows and three (3) non-directional cookies, or six (6) referencing exit markers (REM).

In-Water Ratios

  • The student-to-instructor ratio is 3:1.

Depth Limitations

  • Maximum pool/confined water depth limit: 12 meters.
  • Maximum open water depth limit: 40 meters or the maximum certification depth of the student, whichever is shallower.

Requirements For Completion

  • Complete academic sessions and assessments as outlined in the instructor manual for Mine Diving.
  • Complete the program’s final exam.
  • Complete the XR Water Fitness Evaluation as outlined in the SSI General Training Standards.
  • Complete at least one (1) dry land skill development session as outlined in the instructor manual for Mine Diving.
  • Complete at least one (1) pool/confined water skill development session with a minimum cumulative time of at least one (1) hour as outlined in the instructor manual for Mine Diving.
  • Complete at least six (6) overhead training dives as outlined in the instructor manual for Mine Diving.
  • Complete at least 180 minutes of runtime in the overhead environment.

Training Conditions

Breathing Gas and Decompression

  • All in-water training must be planned within the decompression limits of the student’s certification up to a maximum decompression time of 15 minutes.
  • All decompression must be completed using a dedicated decompression cylinder(s).
  • Decompression cylinders may be staged if there is no alternative exit.

Open circuit

  • No penetration may exceed one-fourth of the diver’s bottom gas supply.

CCR

  • CCR bailout cylinders must have enough gas for the diver to return to the surface from the deepest planned penetration point, based on a SAC rate of 40 liters per minute for the duration of the first bailout gas.
  • The remainder of the dive can be planned at the diver’s calculated SAC rate.
  • Bailout can be planned using two thirds of the available gas.

SCR

  • SCR cylinders must have enough gas for the diver to return to the surface from the deepest planned penetration point, based on a SAC rate of 40 liters per minute for the duration of the first bailout gas plus an additional 30 liters per minute in SCR failure mode.
  • The remainder of the dive can be planned at the divers calculated SAC rate plus an additional 30 liters per minute in SCR failure mode.
  • Bailout can be planned using two thirds of the available gas.

Note | Refer to the page on “Combining Overhead Programs” for gas reserve and decompression rules when conducting combined programs.

Environment

  • All overhead-specific skills must be conducted in an overhead environment as outlined in the program’s instructor manual.
  • All overhead training dives must be conducted in water with at least five (5) meters of visibility at the start of the dive.
  • Dives are limited to areas where two divers can swim without restriction.

Navigation

  • A guideline to open water must be maintained during all phases of any overhead training dive.
  • Navigation patterns are limited to single line linear patterns with only one tee or intersection to be passed.
  • No jumps are permitted.

Sequence

  • The pool/confined water skill development session may only be conducted after the student successfully completes the equipment configuration session and the dry land skill development session.
  • Overhead Training Dives 1 through 4 may only be conducted after the student successfully completes the XR Water Fitness Evaluation, and all pool/confined water skill development sessions.
  • Overhead Training Dives 5 and 6 may only be conducted after the student successfully completes all academic sessions and Overhead Training Dives 1 through 4.

Certification

Upon completion of all academic and in-water requirements, the SSI Professional may issue the program’s digital certification card.
The SSI Mine Diving certification entitles the holder to dive autonomously:
  • In environments similar to those of the diver’s training and experience,
  • Using specialized equipment,
  • Using the Rule of Fourths concept of gas management,
  • To a maximum depth of 40 meters or their maximum certification level if it is shallower,
  • Including one tee or intersection,
  • With an equally- or more-qualified dive buddy.
  • Create Personal Note
  • Report Translation Mistake
  • Report Technical Error
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