Extended Range Open Circuit Instructor

If you want to teach Extended Range (XR) diving and enhance your dive career, become an Open-Circuit Instructor with SSI. With our broad range of Open-Circuit Instructor certifications, there are no limits to your technical diving instructor goals. Take your dive career to the next level and become an ambassador for this exciting sport.

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What Will You Learn?

Technical diving is a growing market, and it can only get better with you! Your Open-Circuit Instructor journey begins with the SSI Extended Range Instructor course. This essential core program provides the knowledge, skills and experience you need to conduct the SSI Extended Range Diving program.

Introduce your students to the incredible world of technical diving. Start today!

The SSI Extended Range Open Circuit Instructor Course consists of three main phases:

  • Four Academic Sessions (Independent study or in a classroom)
  • One Pool / Confined Water Sessions
  • Two Open Water Dives – Where its time to use the knowledge and skills you acquired, in the open ocean to complete the SSI Extended Range Open Circuit Instructor Course.

Maximum Training Depth : 45 meter / 145 feet

What Will You Do?

Option 1

  • Co-teach at least two (2) separate Extended Range programs under the direct supervision of an active status Extended Range Instructor Trainer.

Option 2

Attend a three-day seminar and successfully complete:

  • A review of all SSI General Training Standards, and the standards related to the XR programs the candidate is earning a certification for.
  • A review of the program-specific student and instructor materials.
  • The applicable final exams.
  • An academic presentation on a topic applicable to the program and training level.
  • A dive planning session for orientation to the XR Dive Planning Sheets.
  • An equipment configuration session for the appropriate Total Diving System.
  • The XR Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation as outlined in the SSI Training Standards if it has been more than six months since the candidate has been evaluated.
  • A pool/confined water session that includes the presentation and evaluation of all required program skills. All skills must be done with demonstration quality.
  • An in-water teaching presentation on a topic applicable to the program and training level.
  • As a team member, participate in the planning and execution of at least one dive from the Extended Range program.
  • While acting as an instructor, plan and conduct at least one (1) full decompression dive from the Extended Range program.
  • Demonstrate the ability to rescue an unconscious diver by bringing the diver to the surface from a depth between 5 and 10 meters.

Course Schedule

Recommended hours for completion: 16. The number of classes, hours and sessions per day are set by the individual instructor, based on student needs, student ability and water conditions.

Course Price

Get in touch with an SSI Training Center for the same.

Course Prerequisites

  • Own and use a Total Diving System in the appropriate equipment configuration as outlined in the SSI General Training Standards.
  • Complete the XR Instructor Assessment Form and provide proof of the required teaching and diving experience.

Have logged at least:

  • 20 dives deeper than 30 meters

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

  • Extended Range

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

  • Deep Diving Instructor
  • Diver Stress & Rescue Instructor
  • Enriched Air Nitrox Instructor

NOTE: The candidate must have the Extended Range Trimix certi􏰀cation for Extended Range Trimix Instructor)

Have issued at least:

  • 3 Enriched Air Nitrox 40 certifications

Equipment Requirements

Backmount Configurations

a. Minimum Single-Cylinder Total Diving System

  • Buoyancy compensator including power inflator and D-rings appropriate for stage cylinders
  • Delivery system with a primary (1.8- to 2.1-meter hose is recommended) and an alternate air source
  • Primary cylinder (high capacity is recommended if using a single cylinder)
  • Submersible pressure gauge (all cylinders must have an attached SPG)
  • Integrated depth gauge and timing device or dive computer
  • Single-stage cylinder with a delivery system and submersible pressure gauge

And

  • Mask
  • Fins
  • Exposure suit appropriate for the environment
  • A cutting device
  • One signaling device for deploying from depth (red surface marker buoy is recommended, but follow local guidelines)
  • A reel or spool (appropriate for the maximum planned depth) One surface signaling device (whistle or similar)
  • Logbook

b. Minimum Twinset Total Diving System

  • A backplate or soft pack with a harness
  • A buoyancy wing with appropriate lifting capacity for the planned dive
  • A backup buoyancy device: dry suit, double-bladder wing, or lift bag
  • One delivery system that has a regulator with a 1.8- to 2.1-meter hose
  • One delivery system that has a regulator with a 50- to 75-centimeter hose, neck retainer, and an attached SPG
  • One set of double cylinders with an isolation manifold
  • Two integrated depth and timing devices
  • Stage cylinder(s) with delivery systems that each have a 15- to 25-centimeter hose and attached SPG

And

  • Two masks
  • Fins
  • Exposure suit appropriate for the environment
  • Two cutting devices
  • A compass
  • Two signaling devices for deploying from depth (red and yellow surface marker buoys are recommended, but follow local guidelines)
  • A reel or spool (appropriate for the maximum planned depth)
  • One surface signaling device (whistle or similar)
  • Extended Range Dive Planning Sheets, and either wet notes or slate for dive plans
  • Logbook

*Equipment will be provided by your Dive Centre. We recommend that you should get your own gear once you become a certified diver.

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