PLAYA BLANCA WATER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Beyond Recreational Limits: Extended Range Nitrox Diving off Playa Blanca
An SSI Extended Range Nitrox course with Pura Vida Diving that teaches twin-tank procedures and the use of nitrox up to 50% to plan and conduct dives to 40 meters—this guide clarifies what you’ll learn and why it matters for serious technical progression.
Beyond Recreational Limits: Extended Range Nitrox Diving off Playa Blanca.
On the volcanic shores of Playa Blanca, the SSI Extended Range Nitrox Diving course trains divers to move safely and deliberately into deeper, decompression-aware diving. The program focuses on twin‑tank (bibotella) techniques and staged nitrox use to extend bottom time and manage accelerated decompression, equipping divers with the skills needed to plan and execute dives to 40 meters.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Twin tanks (bibotella) as a tool for extended dives
The course introduces bibotella configuration as a deliberate strategy to increase bottom time and improve redundancy, teaching divers how to carry and manage twin cylinders as part of extended‑range operations.
Stage nitrox up to 50% for accelerated decompression
Students learn to use a nitrox stage with mixtures up to 50% to shorten decompression obligations, practicing planning and gas management to support dives that include up to 15 minutes of accelerated decompression.
A stepping stone toward Extended Range Trimix
While it can be taken as a standalone course for those wanting longer bottom times or decompression experience, Extended Range Nitrox Diving is also a foundational rung for divers aiming to progress to SSI Extended Range Trimix training.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like beneath the surface
The training moves from structured planning into hands‑on gear management and deeper open‑water exposure: you’ll learn to plan and manage your dive profile, become proficient with bibotella configurations, and execute dives that extend to 40 meters while applying staged nitrox procedures for up to 15 minutes of accelerated decompression.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The course introduces and uses bibotella (twin tanks) and a nitrox stage with mixtures up to 50% as part of training; expect to work with these configurations during practical sessions.
Training prepares you to plan and execute dives to a depth of 40 meters and to manage accelerated decompression obligations up to approximately 15 minutes.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is the SSI Extended Range Nitrox Diving course?
A course that teaches the use of twin tanks and staged nitrox (up to 50%) to extend bottom time and manage decompression, preparing divers for dives to 40 meters.
How deep can I dive after the course?
The course prepares divers to plan and execute dives to a depth of 40 meters.
What nitrox mixtures are covered?
Training includes the use of a stage nitrox mixture up to 50% for accelerated decompression procedures.
Does the course include decompression training?
Yes — the curriculum covers planning and managing dives that include accelerated decompression segments of up to 15 minutes.
Is this course part of a progression?
It can be taken as a standalone course for those wanting longer bottom times or decompression experience, and it also serves as a foundation for divers aiming to become SSI Extended Range Trimix Divers.