Purpose

The TDI Decompression Procedures / Advanced Nitrox course is designed to extend the diver's knowledge in the use of Nitrox for decompression diving. Skills, performance, theory, dive planning and in depth discussions on equipment for deep dives will be covered. The course certifies divers to 150'.

Prerequisites

• Must meet the TDI General Course Prerequisites

• Must be qualified as a Nitrox diver with a minimum of 30 logged dives

• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age with parent approval

• Be a non-smoker

Training Materials

TDI Decompression Procedures Manual, Advanced Nitrox Manual

Duration

The TDI Decompression Procedures / Advanced Nitrox course includes fifteen hours of academics generally taught in five , three hour sessions as well as eight dives completed over four days.

Course Content

The TDI Decompression Procedures / Advanced Nitrox course cumulatively includes a minimum of forty hours of instruction designed to provide a solid understanding of Nitrox use for decompression diving, physics and physiology, history, dive tables and custom software as well as operational considerations. Eight dives will be conducted including five skill dives and three experience dives.

Academic Topics

• TDI organization

• Course Standards and Procedures

• Course completion requirements

• History of Nitrox

• Breathing gasses

• Gas laws and pressure equations

• Gas compressibility

• Hypoxia and hyperoxia

• Oxygen limits

• Tracking oxygen exposure

• Pulmonary and whole body oxygen toxicity

• Decompression sickness

• Hypothermia

• Hyperthermia

• Equivalent air depth

• Inert gas narcosis

• Carbon dioxide retention

• Pressure injuries

• Mental fitness for diving

• Physical fitness for diving

• Diving equipment

• Equipment configuration

• Equipment and oxygen

• Blending Nitrox

• Oxygen management

• Nitrogen management

• Gas management

• Analyzing and labeling

• SAC and RMV

• Accident management

Surface Drills and Skills

• Pre-dive S-drills

• Valve drills

• Propulsion techniques

• Dive team protocols

• Stage / deco cylinder drop and replace

• Lift bag deployment techniques

• Air sharing protocols

In-water Skill Requirements

• Demonstrate proficiency in safe diving techniques; this includes pre-dive preparations, in-water activity, and post-dive assessment

• Demonstrate awareness of team member location and a concern for safety, responding quickly to visual cues and dive partner needs

• Efficiently and comfortably demonstrate how to donate gas to an out-of-gas diver

• Efficiently and comfortably demonstrate how to donate gas to an out-of-gas diver followed by a slow, ascent to the surface

• Comfortably demonstrate at least two propulsion techniques that would be appropriate in delicate and/or silty environments

• Demonstrate a safe and responsible demeanor throughout all training

• Demonstrate proficiency in the ability to deploy a reel / spool and a
  surface marker

• Demonstrate good buoyancy and trim

• Demonstrate proficiency in underwater communication

• Demonstrate proficiency and understanding in regards to
  equipment configuration

• Demonstrate safe ascent and decent procedures

• Demonstrate proficiency in executing a valve drill

• Demonstrate the deployment of a backup light in less than 30 seconds

Course Limits

• TDI General Program Limits

• Maximum student to instructor ratio is not to exceed 4 to 1

• Maximum depth 150'

• No dives requiring mandatory decompression exceeding fifteen (15) minutes

Equipment Requirements

• Diving cylinder(s) to carry sufficient gas supply for completion of dive following the rule of thirds. We generally teach this course using doubles

• Alternate second stage or redundant gas supply. A 7' hose with backup around neck attached with bungee necklace

• Pressure gauge (this should be a 2" gauge on approximately a 24" hose)

• Buoyancy control device ( should be a single "wing" style BCD)

• Mask, fins and snorkel

• Means of monitoring depth and time. Depth gauge and bottom timer or a dive computer

• Dive table must be used backup computer or for control of the dive

• Appropriate exposure suit for 48 degree water temperature (you must have a

• Slate and pencil or Wet Notes

• Cutting tool. Small knife or medical shears

• Compass

• Surface alert device (whistle, Dive Alert etc...)

• Primary light (preferably a canister style light)

• Backup light

• Lift bag (preferably a 50lb. bag)

• Small reel or spool

• 40 cu.ft. deco. cylinder

• Decompression gas regulator with pressure gauge