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Take the step past no-decompression limits with an SSI Decompression Diving course at Looe Key. This two-day program combines classroom, pool drills, and four open-water training dives to prepare certified divers for controlled dives to 130 ft.
Take the step past no-decompression limits with an SSI Decompression Diving course at Looe Key. This two-day program combines classroom, pool drills, and four open-water training dives to prepare certified divers for controlled dives to 130 ft.
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Operated by Looe Key Reef Resort · Ramrod Key, Florida
Out beyond the low slung keys of Florida's Lower Keys lies Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, a compact reef system off Ramrod Key that attracts technical divers eager to go deeper. Decompression Diving is a focused two-day specialty course run by Looe Key Reef Resort instructors on guided boat departures from Ramrod Key. The program teaches divers to plan and execute recreational decompression dives to 130 feet using a single decompression cylinder, with classroom review, pool skills, and four open-water training dives on the reef and nearby deep sites.
Underwater the site is defined by coral heads, spur-and-groove formations, and sudden drop-offs where hard coral gives way to sand channels and deeper ledges. Students practice gas switching, using multiple gas mixes, and integrating dive-computer functions like time-to-reserve and time-to-surface so limited decompression becomes a repeatable procedure rather than guesswork. Instructors emphasize disciplined buoyancy, trim, and team procedures before advancing to the deeper wreck and wall sites that make Looe Key such a prized local destination.
Prerequisites are strict and for good reason: divers must be at least 16, hold Open Water, Deep and Nitrox certifications, and present 24 logged dives at the course start. The classroom and pool session on day one provides a compact, practical syllabus; the afternoon moves to reef dives. Day two completes two final open-water training dives from the resort’s boat. Class sizes are intentionally small to maximize instructor time and in-water comfort.
Why book this with Looe Key Reef Resort? The operation ties classroom precision to local knowledge—its instructors know the reef’s currents, site access points, and seasonal visibility patterns, which reduces risk when pushing past no-deco limits. The course also pairs well with Deep Diving or Nitrox bundles for divers who want a streamlined upgrade path and to explore larger wrecks or steep walls.
This experience is best for certified, experienced recreational divers aiming to expand limits responsibly. Expect boat launches from Ramrod Key, variable visibility depending on season, and encounters with reef fish, nurse sharks, turtles, and dense coral communities. Bring your dive computer, certified gas mixes as instructed, and tucked logbook.
Instructors review emergency protocols, oxygen administration, and surface-support procedures, and they run simulations of gas loss and out-of-air scenarios to reinforce decision-making. Students leave with practical planning templates, gas-switch timelines, and confidence using their computers under pressure, preparing them for responsibly managed deep-site exploration in the Florida reef environment safely.
For booking, inquiries and pre-course materials contact [email protected] or call (305) 872-2215. Whether you’re aiming to step into technical diving on a controlled, agency‑approved curriculum or preparing to see deeper wrecks and walls, this course is a calculated next step into serious, supported deep diving in the Florida Keys.
challenging.
2 days.
Be comfortable carrying full scuba gear, making controlled descents/ascents to 130 ft, and fit for repetitive dives.
You must be 16+, hold Open Water, Deep and Nitrox (or comparable) certifications, and present 24 logged dives at course start.
The course includes four open-water training dives—two on the afternoon of day one and two on day two.
Boat departures launch from Ramrod Key; confirm exact meeting and boarding details when you book.
Yes—Decompression Diving pairs well with Deep Diving and Nitrox bundles; ask about course bundles for savings.
Contact [email protected] or call (305) 872-2215 for academic materials and logistics.
Minimum age is 16 and the course requires 24 logged dives; instructors will verify experience at the start.
Looe Key sits within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and is recognized locally for its deep-wall sections and recreational wreck access.
Respect coral and avoid contact; the sanctuary enforces no-touch rules and encourages divers to use reef-safe sunscreen and neutral buoyancy to reduce impact.
Looe Key Reef Resort is a dive and education center located on Ramrod Key, Florida. The resort offers a diverse catalog of SSI courses and non‑diving ecology classes designed for recreational divers, advanced students, and marine enthusiasts. Programs include emergency response training, specialty deep and decompression diving, independent diving certification, search and recovery, equipment techniques, and reef‑focused non‑diving courses such as coral identification, manta and ray ecology, and marine ecology. Instruction typically combines classroom learning, pool sessions, and open‑water dives where required, plus hands‑on scenarios for practical skill practice and risk management. Several courses award official SSI certifications upon successful completion, including React Right and Deep Diving. Training emphasizes scenario‑based drills, dive computer use, Nitrox and decompression awareness, and safe equipment selection and maintenance. Non‑diving offerings allow visitors to deepen reef knowledge and species identification without entering the water. Located on Ramrod Key with direct access to the Looe Key reef system and nearby dive sites, Looe Key Reef Resort supports both entry‑level students and divers seeking advanced qualifications. By presenting documented SSI course options and combining classroom, pool, and open‑water components, the resort provides verifiable training pathways and practical reef education for divers and marine enthusiasts seeking recognized certifications and a deeper connection to Florida’s coral ecosystems.
Book with Looe Key Reef Resort