Extended Range Foundations

Instructor Team: Led by SSI Instructor Trainer Dain McParlandThe SSI Diver Stress & Rescue program is the single most important course you will take in your diving career. It transforms you from a diver who reacts to a crisis into a high-readiness safety asset who can read the environment, manage stress, and prevent accidents before they even start.Whether you are looking to earn your certification for the first time, or you are an existing rescue diver/professional who needs to sharpen rusty muscle memory and renew your emergency first aid, this intensive weekend masterclass delivers real-world confidence.The Blueprint & ItineraryFriday Evening (Newry Pool Slot): The foundation of all rescue training—Self-Rescue Skills. We hit the water to master buoyancy control under stress, cramp releases, alternative air source use, disentanglement, and building personal comfort zones. (Followed by our online theory verification).Saturday (Full Day - Markethill Quarry): High-repetition, cold-water drills on the shallow shelf focusing on panicked and unresponsive divers. The afternoon transitions to dry-land emergency care, trauma management, CPR, and oxygen administration (React Right).Sunday (Full Day - Markethill Quarry or Carlingford Lough): Full-scale, dynamic open-water rescue scenarios. Team management, missing diver grid searches, and unresponsive diver ascents from depth.Booking Options & TracksPlease select your booking track at checkout:Track 1: Full Diver Stress & Rescue CertificationPerfect for new rescue candidates looking for full training and international certification.Standard Rate: £650Oceanauts Club Member Rate: £575Inclusions: Full SSI Digital Learning Materials, Friday evening pool lane sessions, 2 days of intensive quarry coaching, weekend gas fills (3-4 cylinders), and your international digital certification card.Track 2: Tactical Rescue Update & React Right RefreshDesigned for already certified Rescue Divers, Divemasters, and Instructors who want to hammer out the rust and renew their active first aid status.Standard Rate: £395Oceanauts Club Member Rate: £325Inclusions: Official SSI system digital upgrade registration fee, 2 full days of open-water scenario coaching, 2 days of quarry entry fees, and your weekend gas fills (2-3 cylinders).Prerequisites & RequirementsMinimum Certification: SSI Open Water Diver (or equivalent from any recognized agency).Logbook: Proof of active diving experience in cold-water / drysuit environments is highly recommended.Equipment: Full cold-water diving kit appropriate for quarry environments. (Gear rental and premium drysuit hire options available directly through the Oceanauts workshop upon request).Ready to join? Select your track below to reserve your space.

Tired of having to leave a stunning wreck or a deep reef just as the adventure begins? The SSI Decompression Diving Specialty is your gateway to staying down longer. This program teaches you how to safely plan and conduct dives to a maximum depth of 40 meters with limited decompression, using your recreational total diving system supplemented by a single decompression cylinder.Under the expert guidance of the Oceanauts team, you will master your dive computer's advanced features—including gas switching, gas integration, and calculating time-to-surface. You will learn the discipline and technical skills required to manage decompression safely, allowing you to explore larger wrecks and deeper sites without the traditional "No-Deco" restrictions. Your world just got much bigger.The Step Toward XR DivingThis course is the perfect "bridge" for divers considering the Extended Range (XR) path. It introduces the discipline of stage-bottle handling and deco-planning while still allowing you to use your familiar recreational setup. It is the ultimate upgrade for the dedicated Irish shore or boat diver looking to step up their capabilities.What is Included?4 Advanced Training Dives: Focused on precise decompression procedures, rock-solid hover positioning, and gas switching.All Gas & Cylinders: Includes your primary tanks and a fully rigged stage/decompression cylinder.SSI Digital Learning Materials: Advanced Decompression Theory.SSI Decompression Diving Digital Certification Card: Internationally recognized.Comprehensive Student Insurance: Covered for the duration of the course.Prerequisites & RequirementsMinimum Certifications: Must be a certified Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, and Enriched Air Nitrox 40% Diver (SSI or equivalent from any recognized agency).Experience: A minimum of 24 logged dives.Medical: Must be in good physical health (standard medical questionnaire provided upon booking).What You Need to BringSwimwear and a towel.Advanced Thermal Protection: Decompression stops mean staying completely still at depth. A high-quality drysuit and thick undergarments are highly recommended.Advanced Dive Computer: Must be capable of gas switching (multi-gas functionality).Your Dive Logbook.Packed lunch, snacks, and a large hot flask for the surface intervals.When & Where?Location: Locations vary across the local coastline or deep quarry facilities depending on the depth and conditions required for safe technical training.Duration: Approximately 15-20 hours (delivered over 2.5 to 3 days).Scheduling: Once booked, we will contact you directly to review your current gear configuration and finalize a training schedule that matches optimal sea and weather conditions.

THE PATH TO THE DEEP WRECKS: EXTENDED RANGE FOUNDATIONSExploring the historic ocean liners and wrecks of the North Atlantic is one of the most rewarding experiences in diving. But reaching those depths safely requires a solid foundation. The winter off-season is the perfect time to build that platform, giving you a focused, distraction-free environment to elevate your skills before the summer charter season begins.Welcome to the Oceanauts Elite Winter Technical Track. Your first milestone is the SSI Extended Range Foundations program—an intensive, structured workshop designed to introduce you to the twinset platform and maximize your in-water controlNever dived a double tank configuration before? This is exactly where you start. You do not need any prior twinset experience to join this track. This course is the definitive, step-by-step launching pad for recreational divers looking to transition smoothly into technical equipment.Under the personal guidance of an SSI Technical Extended Range Instructor, we will focus entirely on mastering the twinset configuration- Twinset Orientation: A thorough introduction to manifold mechanics, isolation valves, and the safety of a completely redundant breathing system- Precision Buoyancy and Trim: Learning how to achieve a comfortable, effortless horizontal profile and rock-solid static hovers in the water column- Streamlined Propulsion: Fine-tuning advanced techniques like the frog kick and back kick for efficient, control-driven moving through the water.- Valve Mechanics: Developing smooth, calm muscle memory for valve-handling and gas-sharing protocols using drysuit gloves.- Team Awareness: Building clear communication and a supportive, structured buddy-team dynamic under the waterTHE WINTER SCHEDULE:To ensure personalized, high-level mentorship, this program is strictly limited to a maximum cohort of 4 candidates and runs across two focused Saturdays- Saturday, November 7: Foundations Day 1 (Markethill Scuba Quarry)- Saturday, November 21: Foundations Day 2 (Markethill Scuba Quarry)All in-water sessions are conducted in a controlled, supportive confined-water environment at depths less than 12 meters. We put in the focused practice now so that your deep ocean dives next summer are smooth, familiar, and entirely enjoyable.Stop just looking at technical gear. Let us teach you how to dive it.

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

It is easy for dive skills to get rusty and to lose confidence when you have not dived for a while. With the SSI Scuba Skills Update, we will get you back in the water and diving with ease in no time. This scuba refresher course allows you to review and practice scuba skills you learned in your Open Water Diver program, under the guidance of an SSI Professional. This is a great course to take just before a dive holiday, so you spend less time worrying about your skills and more time admiring the marine life. If you are a non-certified Open Water Diver student, a Scuba Skills Update is ideal for practicing your dive skills before your open water training dives. With no fixed course duration, you can take your time and focus on the skills you need help with.

Beneath the rugged shores of Greencastle, where the Mourne Mountains sweep down to the sea, lies a world of legend waiting to be explored. Inspired by the myths and folklore of this ancient coast, Giant Underwater Adventure invites you to take your first breath underwater and experience the ocean like never before. Guided by Dain McParland, who grew up exploring these waters, and a team that knows the tales of the selkies, sea giants, and lost kingdoms, this adventure is more than just a dive—it’s your first step into the deep-rooted stories of Northern Ireland’s coast. During this half-day experience, you’ll learn the essential skills needed to explore up to 12 meters deep under the guidance of an SSI Professional. You’ll complete a diving skills session before venturing on a guided coastal dive, where the whispers of the past meet the thrill of discovery.

Step into an extraordinary world and discover the thrill of scuba diving with our Discover The Depths Experience. Guided by expert instructors, you’ll take your first breath underwater in the sheltered waters of Greencastle Shore, surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Ireland’s coastline. Feel weightless, explore beneath the surface, and experience the magic of the sea in a way you’ll never forget. By the end of this unforgettable two-hour adventure, you’ll earn your SSI Try Scuba recognition card—your first step into a lifetime of underwater exploration. The ocean is calling. Are you ready to answer?

WHY TRAIN WITH OCEANAUTS?We don't teach from a script. We teach from the field. Our candidates don’t just learn to guide; they learn to manage.Technical Foundations: Move beyond recreational limits. You will be trained in high-level kit configuration, including Wing, Backplate, and Twinset mastery.Workshop Integration: Spend time at our Warrenpoint HQ. Learn the fundamentals of IDEST (E2) standards, regulator diagnostics, and life-support maintenance.Scientific Rigor: Benefit from a curriculum influenced by years of professional scientific diving—focusing on precision, data-driven safety, and methodical execution.Business Mentorship: As an SSI Instructor Trainer (IT) candidate, Dain provides direct insight into running a successful dive business and transitioning toward an Instructor career.

The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to try scuba diving for the first time. You will be in confined water and well looked after by your instructor, so you can enjoy those first unforgettable breaths underwater and experience the magic of scuba diving. At the end of this short course, you will have earned your SSI Try Scuba recognition card and undoubtedly want to go diving again. Endless scuba diving adventures are waiting for you and this course is where it all begins. Start today!

Your Open Water certification taught you how to dive. The Advanced course teaches you how to dive well.Designed to build your confidence and expand your underwater capabilities, this course is entirely hands-on. There are no heavy classroom sessions, endless quizzes, or pool drills—just five specialized open-water dives that introduce you to new environments, greater depths, and advanced techniques under the direct guidance of our expert instructors.Whether you are looking to unlock deeper wreck sites, master your trim, or feel more comfortable in dynamic UK conditions, this course is your gateway to elite recreational diving.What You Will ExperienceYou will complete five distinct training dives, logging real underwater time while mastering new skill sets.The Core Foundation (Mandatory):Deep Diving: Safely plan and execute a dive beyond your 18m Open Water limit, unlocking access to deeper wrecks and reefs (up to 30m).Underwater Navigation: Stop relying solely on the dive guide. Learn advanced compass skills, natural navigation, and distance estimation to always know exactly where you are.Your Chosen Specialties (Choose 3): Customize the rest of your course to fit your specific diving goals. Popular choices include:Perfect Buoyancy: Dial in your weighting, master your trim, and drop your air consumption.Wreck Diving: Learn the protocols for safely navigating and mapping sunken vessels.Night & Limited Visibility: Discover how the underwater world transforms after dark and learn specialized communication and light-handling skills.Drysuit Diving: (Highly recommended for our waters) Stay warm and extend your diving season year-round.

Welcome to the Oceanauts Pro AcademyThis is not a "click-and-book" exam prep course. The Oceanauts Pro Academy is a selective, application-based professional development program designed to produce the next generation of elite cold-water diving educators.Transitioning from a dive professional to an SSI Open Water Instructor is the most significant step in your career. At Oceanauts, our philosophy is simple: we do not simply process candidates through an ITC; we develop truly excellent instructors. We train you in real Irish cold-water conditions, teach you how to manage complex student scenarios, and ensure you command a dive deck with absolute authority and deep empathy.The Oceanauts Standard: Why We Are DifferentOur Academy goes far beyond minimum agency standards. We are fiercely protective of our reputation, which means we are fiercely protective of you. When you train with us, you can expect:Honest Readiness: We will never put a candidate forward for an Instructor Evaluation (IE) unless they are genuinely ready to succeed. We build absolute confidence before you ever meet an examiner.Cold-Water Mastery: If you can teach comfortably and effectively in our local conditions, you can teach anywhere in the world.Intelligent Progression: We teach modern pedagogical psychology. While our ultimate goal is always to produce exceptional, neutrally buoyant divers, you will learn how to intelligently use staged progression—including kneeling—as a vital tool for safety, patience, and building initial student confidence.A Post-Certification Pathway: We aren't just looking for students; we are looking for future colleagues. Suitable graduates will have ongoing mentorship and potential pathways to teach locally with the Oceanauts team.What Can an SSI Open Water Instructor Do?Becoming an Open Water Instructor unlocks your global employability. You are fully authorized to teach, evaluate, and certify independent divers in Open Water Diver, Advanced Adventurer, Dive Guide, Enriched Air Nitrox, and Diver Stress & Rescue.The Application ProcessBecause we invest heavily in our candidates and keep our cohorts small (strictly capped to ensure maximum 1-on-1 mentorship), direct checkout for this program is disabled. We want to ensure that our Academy is the perfect fit for your career goals.Submit Your Interest: Click the "Contact Us to Apply" button to send us your current certification level and dive experience.The Discovery Call: We will schedule an informal, 15-minute chat with our Instructor Trainer. This is a relaxed conversation to discuss your goals, review your readiness, and explain the course structure.Your Invitation: If you are a good fit for the cohort, we will formally invite you to join the Academy and walk you through the scheduling and onboarding process.Course Prerequisites & RequirementsCertification Base: SSI Assistant Instructor (or applying to complete the AI course concurrently as a single block). You must have held an Open Water Diver certification for at least six (6) months.Prerequisite Ratings: Must hold an SSI Divemaster certification (or equivalent) and Enriched Air Nitrox 40% (or equivalent).Experience to Start: Minimum of 75 logged open water dives (totaling 50+ hours).Experience to Graduate: Must log a total of at least 100 open water dives (totaling 65+ hours) prior to attending the Instructor Evaluation (IE).Medical & Fitness: Must provide a Physician's Approval to Dive (a formal diving medical examination within the last year) and pass the Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation.Active Status Requirement: Must hold a current certification in CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration (e.g., SSI React Right) completed within the last 24 months.Logistics & InclusionsLocation: Intensive classroom, pool, and open water sessions at Oceanauts HQ and local training sites.What's Included: SSI ITC Digital Learning Materials, comprehensive in-water workshops, direct mentorship from our training team, and ongoing career development.What to Bring: A complete, professional-grade Total Diving System, a drysuit and appropriate thermals, and your professional teaching slates.Professional Note: The ITC is the training phase of your instructor journey. To become a certified Open Water Instructor, you must successfully pass an external Instructor Evaluation (IE) conducted by an SSI Certifying or Evaluator level professional. Please note that the IE exam fee, as well as your initial SSI professional registration fee, are separate from the Academy tuition and are paid directly to the agency.

Master the Art of Effortless Diving Buoyancy is the hallmark of a great diver, but as any professional will tell you, it takes dedicated training to truly perfect. The SSI Perfect Buoyancy specialty is the ultimate way to refine your trim, reduce your air consumption, and get the absolute most out of every minute you spend underwater.In this fascinating program, you’ll move beyond the basics and master advanced techniques that allow you to hover with total precision. Whether you want to glide over fragile reefs without a trace, stay perfectly still for the ultimate underwater photograph, or simply enjoy a more relaxed, weightless experience, this course is the key. Master your buoyancy today and start diving like a pro.PrerequisitesMinimum Age: 12 years old.Certification: Must be a certified Open Water Diver (SSI or equivalent).Medical: Must be in good physical health (standard medical questionnaire provided).What’s Included?✅ 2 Specialized Training Dives: Focused entirely on trim, position, and control.✅ SSI digital learning materials (Advanced Buoyancy Theory).✅ SSI Perfect Buoyancy Digital Certification Card.✅ Comprehensive student insurance.What You Need to Bring???? Swimwear and a towel.???? Thermal layers/Drysuit (if diving in the sea).???? Your Dive Logbook.⚖️ Your personal weight belt/integrated weights (if you own them).???? A light snack and water.When & Where????? Location: Can be conducted in a heated pool for skill refinement or at Greencastle Shore/ Markethill Quarry for real-world practice.⏳ Duration: Approximately 5–10 hours (usually 1 full day).???? Scheduling: Book your date above. Once booked, we will contact you to discuss your current experience level and whether pool or open water is best for your session.???? The Secret to Better PhotosMost divers think they need a better camera, but they actually need better buoyancy. This specialty is the single best investment you can make if you want to improve your underwater photography or video—allowing you to stay perfectly still while you line up the perfect shot.

Unlock the Depths: Explore Down to 40 MetersMany of the world's most iconic dive sites—from historic wrecks to pristine deep reefs—lie just beyond the 18-meter limit. The SSI Deep Diving Specialty is your key to unlocking these hidden realms. Through a blend of advanced academic sessions and deep open water dives, you will gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to safely explore the ocean down to 40 meters.Under the expert guidance of the Oceanauts team, you will master the art of deep dive planning. You will learn how to use dive computers effectively at depth, manage your gas consumption with precision, and fully understand the physiological effects of deep diving. This isn't just about going deeper; it is about going deeper with total safety and control.The Gateway to Technical DivingDeep Diving is more than just a specialty; it is a mandatory prerequisite for almost all technical and XR (Extended Range) programs. If you have your sights set on twinsets, decompression diving, or professional ratings, this is your next logical step.What is Included?3 Deep Training Dives: Conducted at sites specifically chosen for depth and safety.SSI Digital Learning Materials: Advanced Deep Theory & Gas Planning.SSI Deep Diving Digital Certification Card: Internationally recognized.Comprehensive Student Insurance: Covered for the duration of the course.Prerequisites & RequirementsMinimum Age: 15 years old.Minimum Certification: Must be a certified Open Water Diver (SSI or equivalent from any recognized agency).Medical: Must be in good physical health (standard medical questionnaire provided upon booking).What You Need to BringSwimwear and a towel.High-quality thermal layers / Drysuit (it gets colder the deeper you go).Your Dive Computer (essential for this level of training).Your Dive Logbook.Packed lunch, snacks, and a hot drink for between dives.When & Where?Location: Locations vary depending on depth requirements and weather conditions. We choose the best local sites (including sheltered quarry or deep shore sites) to ensure a safe and progressive descent.Duration: Approximately 10-15 hours delivered over 2 days.Scheduling: Book your dates above. Once booked, we will contact you directly to discuss the schedule and ensure you have the appropriate equipment for deep exploration.