COURSES Nitrox Entry Trimix Overhead Environment / Cavern Service Technician
Advanced Nitrox Advanced Trimix Introductory Cave Technical Divemaster
Decompression Procedures Nitrox Gas Blender Apprentice Program DPV
Extended Range Advanced Gas Blender Cave Survey
    Sidemount Stage

 

Nitrox
This is the entry level certification course for recreational divers wishing to utilize enriched air nitrox (EAN) as a breathing gas. The objective of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for using nitrox mixes from 22% to 40% oxygen content.

 

Advanced Nitrox
This course examines the use of EAN 21 through 100% (oxygen) for optimal mixes to a depth of 150fsw/45msw. The object of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for utilizing EAN 21 through 100% (oxygen) for dives not requiring staged decompression. (Decompression techniques may be combined with this course at the discretion of the instructor).

 

Decompression Procedures
This course examines the theory, methods and procedures of planned stage decompression diving. The objective of this course is to train divers how to plan and conduct a standard staged decompression dive not exceeding a maxium depth of 150fsw/50msw unless taught in conjuction with advanced nitrox, Extended Range or Advanced Wreck Courses. The most common equipment requirments, gear set-ups, decompression techniques and decompression mixtures (including oxygen and nitrox) are presented.

 

Extended Range
This course provides the training and experience required to competently utilize air for dives up to 180 fsw/55msw that require staged decompression, utilizing nitrox mixtures and oxygen during decompression.

 

Entry Level Trimix
This course provides the training required to competenly and safely utilize breathing gasses containing helium for dives that require staged decompression, utilizing nitrox and/or oxygen mixtures during decompression to a maximum depth of 200fsw/60msw.

 

Advanced Level Trimix
This course provides the training required to competenly and safely utilize breathing gasses containing helium for dives that require staged decompression, utilizing nitrox and/or oxygen mixtures during decompression to a maximum depth of 300fsw / 100msw.

 

Nitrox Gas Blender
The objective of this course is to train candidates in the proper technique equipment requirements and hazards involved in blending nitrox gases for recreational scuba.

 

Advanced Gas Blender
The objective of this course is to train candidates in the proper procedures needed for the preparation and blending of high quality gasses.

 

Service Technician
This course enables the successful candidate to engage in the preparation of scuba equipment for technical diving gasses.

 

Overhead Environment / Cavern
This course is designed to develop the minimum skills and knowledge for cavern and overhead environment diving within the limits of light penetration; in addition outlines specific hazards associated with cave diving. The Cavern Diver Course in not intended to provide instruction for cave diving environments. The objective of this course is to train divers in the proper planning, procedures, techniques and hazards of cavern diving.

Required Equipment
The following equipment is required for each student:
1.  Primary cylinder - volume appropriate for planned dive and student gas consumption. Students are permitted to use double cylinders, but would be limited to the 1/6 air rule.
2.  Regulator with pressure gauge and alternate air source. Although not required, it is suggested one regulator be mounted on a hose approximately two (2) meters / seven (7) feet of length.
3.  Buoyancy Compensator with power inflator.
4.  Exposure suit adequate for cavern environment.
5.  Mask and fins - NO snorkel.
6.  Line cutting device.
7.  Safety reel with a minimum of thirty (37) meters / one hundred twenty five (125) feet of guideline.
8.  One (1) primary cavern-diving reel with length appropriate for intended dive.
9.  Two (2) battery powered lights, each with burn time suitable for the planned dive time.
10.  Computer or watch (bottom timer) and depth gauge.
11.  Slate or wet notes and pencil.
12.  Submersible dive tables or backup dive computer (recommended).

Introductory Cave
This course is an introduction to the basic principles of cave diving utilizing a single primary guide line. Introductory cave diving is the second level in the development of safe techniques for cave diving, directly building upon the cavern diver course. This introduction to cave diving is not intended to train divers for all facets of cave diving. The objective of this course is the perfection of skills taught in the cavern diving program, in addition to the adoption of additional techniques and procedures required for elementary cave dives.

The following equipment is required for each student:
1.  Primary cylinder (s) - volume appropriate for planned dive and student gas consumption.
2.  Dual-orifice (Y) or (H) closed valve or dual valve manifold.
3.  Two independent first and second stage regulators. One regulator equipped with a long hose at a recommended minimum length of two (2) meters / seven (7) feet.
4.  Submersible pressure gauge.
5.  Buoyancy Compensator with power inflator.
6.  Exposure suit adequate for diving environment.
7.  Mask and fins - NO snorkel.
8.  Line cutting device.
9.  Three (3) battery powered lights - one (1) primary and two (2) back-ups, each with a with burn time suitable for the planned dive time.
10.  Safety reel with a minimum of thirty (37) meters / one hundred twenty five (125) feet of guideline.
11.  One (1) primary cave-diving reel with length appropriate for intended dive.
12.  Computer or watch (bottom timer) and depth gauge.
13.  Slate or wet notes with a pencil
14.  Submersible dive tables or backup dive computer.
15.  Three (3) directional line arrows.

Apprentice Program
Education of the student in proper cave diving techniques and procedures, cave awareness and conservation, dive planning and dive execution is emphasized at the Apprentice level of training. While the student shall be introduced to jump and gap procedures, skills and emergency drills previously presented at the Cavern and Intro to Cave courses are reinforced and refined. The student shall be encouraged to continue to develop safe cave diving techniques and practices, awareness of the cave environment and conservation of the cave environment through personal and dive team planning and technique.

The following equipment is required for each student:
1.  Dual cylinders, volume appropriate for planned dive, student gas consumption.
2.  Two independent first and second stage regulators. One regulator equipped with a long hose at a recommended minimum length of two (2) meters / seven (7) feet.
3.  Submersible pressure gauge.
4.  Buoyancy Compensator with power inflator.
5.  Exposure suit adequate for diving environment.
6.  Mask and fins - NO snorkel.
7.  Two (2) line cutting devices.
8.  Three (3) battery powered lights - one (1) primary and two (2) back-ups, each with a with burn time suitable for the planned dive time.
9.  Safety reel with a minimum of thirty seven (37) meters / one hundred twenty five (125) feet of guideline.
10.  One (1) primary cave-diving reel with length appropriate for intended dive.
11.  Computer or watch (bottom timer) and depth gauge.
12.  Slate or wet notes with a pencil.
13.  Submersible dive tables or back up dive computer.
14.  Three (3) directional line arrows.
15.  One (1) non- directional line marker.
16.  Gap reel with fifteen (15) meter / fifty (50) feet of guideline.
17.  It is recommended that the team properly mark decompression cylinders and stage them, in any dive where decompression is planned, at least one (1) stop deeper than the planned decompression obligation.

 

Cave
 Advanced cave dive planning, the practical execution of different types of cave systems and scenarios divers encounter are presented. This cave diving course is not intended to prepare divers for evaluating all facets of cave diving. The objective of this course is to expand and critique previous skills accomplished in the Cavern and Introductory Cave Diving programs. Emphasis is placed upon dive planning and skill perfection through actual cave penetration.

The following equipment is required for each student:
1.  Dual cylinders, volume appropriate for planned dive, student gas consumption.
2.  Two independent first and second stage regulators. One regulator equipped with a long hose at a recommended minimum length of two (2) meters / seven (7) feet.
3.  Submersible pressure gauge.
4.  Buoyancy Compensator with power inflator.
5.  Exposure suit adequate for diving environment.
6.  Mask and fins - NO snorkel.
7.  Two (2) line cutting devices.
8.  Three (3) battery powered lights - one (1) primary and two (2) back-ups, each with a with burn time suitable for the planned dive time.
9.  Safety reel with a minimum of thirty seven (37) meters / one hundred twenty five (125) feet of guideline.
10.  One (1) primary cave-diving reel with length appropriate for intended dive.
11.  Computer or watch (bottom timer) and depth gauge.
12.  Slate or wet notes with a pencil
13.  Submersible dive tables or back up dive computer.
14.  Three (3) directional line arrows.
15.  One (1) non- directional line marker.
16.  Gap reel with fifteen (15) meter / fifty (50) feet of guideline.
17.  It is recommended that the team properly mark decompression cylinders and stage them, in any dive where decompression is planned, at least one (1) stop deeper than the planned decompression obligation.

 

Technical Divemaster
This course is the third stage of training in the series of TDI’s  program. Advanced  dive planning