SSI Decompression Diving Specialty Course

Your SSI Decompression Diving Course in Thailand begins with a welcome orientation, paperwork, and an introduction to your instructor. From there, you’ll dive into a robust theory component via the digital training platform, building the foundation for safe, controlled dives beyond recreational limits.

Topics covered include:

• Decompression Theory – Learn about inert gas absorption, off-gassing, and the physiological effects of bubble formation under pressure.
• Decompression dive planning – Understand how to plan dives using dive computers or software, calculating required stops, managing contingencies, and planning your gas supply.
• Gas Management – Explore topics like oxygen exposure, nitrogen narcosis, and the benefits and risks of using enriched air up to EAN 40 during recreational decompression dive training.
• Equipment Configuration – Get introduced to redundant systems, stage cylinders, gas switching protocols, and safety tools used in technical-style diving.
• Emergency Procedures – Learn how to handle potential issues like lost deco gas, equipment failure, or missed stops.

This theoretical training lays the foundation for your pool and open water sessions and prepares you for future training like as other SSI XR certifications.

Before heading to open water, you’ll complete a confined water session that allows you to safely rehearse the most critical skills of decompression diving. This is your hands-on introduction to streamlined equipment, advanced buoyancy, and dive management.

What you’ll cover:

• Equipment Familiarization – Practice assembling and streamlining stage cylinders, verifying labels, and conducting full pre-dive checks.
• Trim & Buoyancy Control – Hone a stable, horizontal profile for efficient movement and optimal positioning during stops.
• Gas Switching Techniques – Practice clean, controlled switches between back gas and decompression gas while following all safety protocols.
• Dive Computer Use – Set up your computer for different gas mixes, simulate decompression schedules, and rehearse responding to alerts or changes.
• Emergency Management – Simulate gas loss, unplanned deco time, and communication breakdowns in a safe, structured setting.
• Teamwork & Communication – Develop strong buddy skills, using hand signals and slates to coordinate gas switches and decompression stops.

This pool session ensures that you’re fully confident before entering open water, setting you up for success in your practical decompression specialty course dives.

This course includes three to four open water dives where you’ll apply everything you’ve learned in real-world conditions. These dives are the heart of your decompression diving specialty course.

Dive 1 – Intro to Decompression Techniques where you’ll focus on fundamental skills like:

• Equipment configuration and stage setup
• Computer-based dive planning
• Gas switch execution
• Holding precise trim and buoyancy during ascent and stops
• Safe ascent rates and decompression stop compliance

Dive 2 – Applied Decompression Dive where you’ll manage a full decompression dive under instructor supervision. Focus areas include:

• Multi-stop decompression dive planning
• Accurate gas tracking and switching
• Maintaining awareness of deco obligations and emergency reserves
• Team coordination and managing stress

Dive 3 – Independent Execution for your certification dive. Under instructor oversight, you’ll:

• Take the lead on dive planning
• Execute a full decompression dive with precision
• Troubleshoot real-world challenges and adapt your dive plan
• Coordinate smoothly with your teammate

Dive 4 – Optional/Extension Dive if needed. You may complete a fourth dive to solidify your skills, refine gas switching, or extend your experience with deeper or more complex dive planning scenarios.

Once you complete your training, you’ll be a certified Decompression Diver qualified to dive to 40 meters with up to 15 minutes of planned decompression using a single EAN 40 stage cylinder.

To enrol in the Decompression Diving Specialty Course, you must already be certified as a Deep Diver and an Enriched Air Nitrox Diver (EANx), or hold equivalent certifications from a recognised agency.

You must also have at least 24 logged dives, including recent experience at depth and using enriched gas.

The minimum age to take the SSI Decompression Diving Course in Thailand is 16 years old.

All participants must be medically fit for diving. You can download the standard scuba diving medical form here. If you’re unsure about any conditions, please consult your physician or reach out to us for guidance before booking your course.

You’ll need proof of a logged dive within the past 6 months. If you haven’t been diving recently, we’ll require that you take a quick Scuba Review before your course begins to maintain insurance coverage and ensure your comfort and safety underwater.